Every year, right about now, I take time to review how things are going in my life. What’s been working, what hasn’t, and to come to some necessary conclusions. Such as, but not limited to: “maybe bangs weren’t the best choice,” or “I need to make more time for Netflix.” I am currently in the “pro and con list” section of this endeavor. Debating the good, the bad, the ugly, what can stay, and what can go from the past year of my life.
Two years ago on August 1st I did this same reflection and it brought me to buying a website that would forever change my life. The reflection that year led to the decision to follow a dream and see where it takes me. Over these past two years, I’ve had to really whittle down my life to bare essentials. Not the skin care but okay, yes, that too. I’ve had to minimalize my life and my priorities in a very real, very basic sort of way. I’ve had no room for things of no need. I’ve almost had no room for wants either.
I’ve wanted to give up. I’ve wanted to spend time with friends. I’ve wanted to be normal. I’ve wanted to wake up refreshed without a million things on my to-do list. I’ve wanted to be able to keep all my friends. I’ve wanted to spend my money on clothes. And, I’ve wanted a free weekend.
But, all those wants won’t get me my dream. It is an unfortunate reality of an entrepreneur: There is massive sacrifice.
So, I dwindle, and I carve, and I release all my wants and focus on my needs. I need my husband, I need a great support system, I need good health. I need my dream.
Slowly, I’ve seen my dream float off into the distance in an effort to say “yes” to any and everything. It’s not working. I haven’t been able to do what I love on a weekly basis which is to create, develop, photograph, and write about food. Admittedly, I’ve lost my focus.
This summer I’ve made extra money with my sponsorships, photography, and custom cake orders. And it’s been great, it really has. But it’s been at the expense of my one true love: My blog. So, if that’s what I really want to do then I have some choices to make in order to focus on my dream. I am never happier then when I am creating and posting new content.
All this to say, thank you for hanging in there with me. Thank you for always listening and being a huge support for me. I cannot say enough great things about my readers. You have come along side me on this journey. You came and supported me from the get-go, and for that I am incredibly grateful.
There will be some changes, more to come on the specifics at a later date. But for now, I just wanted to say that I’ll be here a lot more — soon. For now, I’m in survival mode. But it’s my goal to be back in full swing by the fall. (oh my gosh, FALL 🙂 ).
Basically, here are some cookie bars. Because when life says “girl, you need to take a good hard look at your LIIIIIFE,” you need some chocolate, and you need some cookies. I’m not talking about the kind that require fuss or extra dishes. You need a one-pan deal that can meet you where you are in this moment. A soft cookie with chocolate American buttercream — kind of simple, yummy, goodness. And once again, I am leaving no room to actually talk about this recipe. But, hear me when I say, it’s good and just what the doctor ordered.
Cookie Bars with Chocolate American Buttercream
When you need no-fuss chocolate and a warm soft cookie, make these Cookie Bars with Chocolate American Buttercream and life gets better.
- Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Ingredients
|| Cookie ||
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp almond extract (or vanilla if preferred)
3 eggs
3 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
|| Chocolate American Buttercream ||
1 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
|| Cookie || Mix the butter, sugar and almond extract together. Mix in eggs one at a time. Combine the dry ingredients and add to the butter/egg mixture until well mixed.
Spray a 9×13 baking pan. Dump the dough into the pan and press down the dough so that it’s evenly dispersed. Sprinkle with flour to help from sticking to your fingers.
Place in the fridge to set for one hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15-18 minutes until just set.
|| Buttercream || Mix the room temperature butter, vanilla, salt and cocoa powder together. Slowly add the powdered sugar while mixing until combined and add heavy cream.
Frost cookie bars once they have cooled to room temperature.
Notes
If the frosting is too dense add more cream as needed to the frosting.
Keywords: cookies, sugar cookies, chocolate
In my estimation, ANYTHING with Chocolate American Buttercream on it has got to be good! And a simple bar cookie topped with it, all the more better! Hanging in there for you and with you Karlee!
I agree!!! It was a staple in my house growing up. Thank you, Mary!
I have no almond extract. Would this work without it, maybe substitute with one tsp vanilla?
Yep! Vanilla would work GREAT! hope you enjoy 🙂
What type of coco powder do you use? Dutch processed?
I used Dutch processed but either will work!