52 cookies :: week 50 :: valentine sugar cookies

i can't help but compare these to our stand-by iced cookie favourite...



Sugar Cookies
via msl

2 c sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 c sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Royal Icing

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. With mixer running, add egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture gradually, beating until just incorporated. Divide dough in half; flatten each half into a disk, and wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour (or overnight).

Preheat oven to 325 degrees with racks in top third and lower third. Let 1 disk of dough stand at room temperature just until soft enough to roll, about 10 minutes. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to just under 1/4-inch thickness, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking. Cut out cookies with a 2-inch heart cutter, and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roll out scraps once, and repeat. Repeat with remaining disk of dough. Freeze cookies until very firm, about 15 minutes.

Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through and switching from top to bottom, until edges turn golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies will keep, covered, for up to 1 week.

Prepare royal icing and decorate as you desire :)



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K: These cookies are so good. I didn't know that they would be as good as they are with the frosting. I'm upset that we didn't have more.

E: J'adore! I <3 these cookies! The icing is good and the design is so beautiful with the red swirl heart. Too bad 52 cookies is almost over!

D:I just close my eyes again, and hop aboard that dream cookie train... .

These heart shaped super cute frosted valentine cookies are a perfect treat for d'sweet. Pink and swirly white with raw sugar crystals sprinkled on top. Can you imagine! I thought I was dreamin when I bit into this cookie. The frosting has a slightly sweet lemony flavor but not too much at all, just close your eyes and imagine what I'm talkin' about...;-)