Valentine Cookies . . . Happy Monday!

This Happy Monday you need to hit the floor running if you're going get these cookies baked and decorated for all the special Valentines in your life! 

I have been using this Vanilla Butter Cookie recipe for 40+ years because it makes THE MOST A-MAZ-ING cut-out cookies for any special holiday!  
This is not your everyday cookie because it is essentially made of butter, and more butter.  But, for those special times when I want to express love by making fancy cookies with a taste to match, this is the recipe I use.

Jude Michael, Matty, and Emmy

Vanilla Butter Cookies

Prep time includes chilling cookie dough for 2 hrs.
You will need:  Rolling Pin, Heart-shaped Cookie Cutters, 2 Cookie Sheets

INGREDIENTS 
1        cup butter softened

2/3     cup sugar
1        tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1        egg
2 1/2 cups flour


In a large bowl-  

• With mixer on high:  Cream butter and sugar. 
• Add egg and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy.
• With mixer on low:  Add flour, a little at a time, scraping down sides bowl, mix well.
• Wrap cookie dough in plastic wrap; chill for 2 hrs.

To make cookies-

• Preheat oven to 325degrees F. and place oven rack in the middle.
• On a lightly floured surface:  Roll half of the dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Dip cookie cutters in flour, cut out cookies.  
• Place hearts on ungreased cookie sheet 1/2-inch apart.
• Gather scraps and add to final ball of dough.
• Continue rolling out dough and cutting out cookies until dough is all used.
• If you are short on time use colored sugars to decorate your cookies before they go in the oven.
• Bake cookies 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden just on edges  You will want to keep an eye on the first batch to gage how long your cookies will need to bake in your oven.

Frosting

(A lot or recipes call for shortening because it is more stable, however, it has measurable transfats and should not be used)

3   cups powdered sugar run through a sieve to remove lumps.

2   tablespoons + 2 1/4 teaspoons cream

4   tablespoons butter

1   teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:  In a saucepan, over medium heat, heat cream and butter until butter is melted.

                       Stir in the vanilla and confectioner's sugar.  Remove from heat and beat with

                       with an electric mixer until thick and smooth.

I divided the frosting into 3 small bowls.  

Wilton red paste food coloring, was used to make both pink frostings.

I used a toothpick to transfer food coloring a little at a time, mix well, add a little more, to keep colors soft. 

For piping on cookies:  Wilton #27 for deep pink, #77 for white flowers. #4 for straight lines and dots in light pink.

You can pipe simple decorations on your cookies.  You can frost your cookies and add candies or sugars.  I took my time, used my imagination and with simple dots and lines I made beautiful cookies for my Grands and my wonderful Sons and Daughters!

It's Happy Monday so get out there and find creative ways to say, I LOVE YOU to all those special VALENTINES  in your life!  

This is how I did it . . . Over at Julie's!!!!