For some reason Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Whether it's because it gives me one more excuse to break out the craft box to make some special valentines, because it means that I get to try my hand at some pretty treats, or because I think the idea of a whole holiday devoted to love is just the sweetest thing ever, I always get super excited every time February rolls around. This year, I decided to try my hand at some sugar cookies decorated with royal icing. These cookies are a perfect and pretty way to show your love this Valentine's Day!
Here's a secret, my all-time favorite sugar cookie recipe comes from one of my favorite books as a child: Mr. Cookie Baker. Apart from being an adorable story with lovely illustrations, the recipe at the end of the book makes yummy and sturdy cookies that are perfect for decorating.
Sugar Cookies (From Mr. Cookie Baker)
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
1. Mix together 2 cups of the flour, the baking powder, and salt.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar. Then beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk.
3. Stir in the flour mixture, then gradually add enough of the remaining flour to make the dough stiff enough to roll
4. form the dough into a ball. Chill at least 1 hour
5. Preheat oven to 375˚
6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters and place on ungreased cookie sheets
7. bake about 8-10 minutes or until nicely browned
Royal Icing
Want perfect icing for decorating cookies? I suggest Wilton's color-flow mix which is a mixture of dried eggwhites and a couple other ingredients that when added to icing make sure that it dries up nice and quick and that it retains a bit of a glossy sheen. You can find the product and the recipe on Wilton.com
Now it's time to tint and decorate to your hearts delight! Happy Valentine's Day!
