Valentines Day Challenge Day 4.... & 5

This took longer than expected and probably because I work for a living (imagine that). This Valentine's Day Challenge is Sugar Cookies!


I LOVE my recipe for these and will never turn to another. I finally perfected it to what my family likes; just like the ones you would get at a cookie shop. And the icing is perfect as well - it firms up just enough so the cookies are stackable but stays soft and doesn't get crunchy.

 Please, ignore the counters, we will be replacing them within the year (ugly things).

We did all heart shapes; big and small.

Hunter and LH got in on the decorating. It was a lot of fun for all of us. After Hunter was done decorating his cookies he decided it was time to decorate his body... Yeah... That boy was headed for the bath.


The cookies took two day for one reason; the cookies need to cool all the way before you can decorate them. I did not want to stay up that late. My recipe, with my notes to self, is below. Enjoy and let me know how you liked it. Did you have to change anything for your liking?


Rolled Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 Cups Softened Butter
3 Cups of Sugar
4 Room Temp. Eggs
2 Tsp Vanilla
5 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt


In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs (one by one) and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Roll out your dough to 1/2" thickness (1/2" for soft cookies, 1/4" for crunchy). Cut into desired shapes and place cookies 1" apart on parchment paper. Bake about 5 min (just until the sides of the cookies start to brown). COOL COMPLETELY.
NOTE: Roll dough into balls big enough for your desired shape, take a drinking glass and dip the bottom in powdered sugar and use it to press the dough down to desired thickness. This keeps you from having to roll out the dough and, if your short on time, lets you use bits of dough at a time.


Two types of icing: Paint/Dip Icing & Butter Icing for Cookies


Paint/Dip Icing
I make this icing with Confectioners Sugar and milk. I do this by eye. You want it thin enough to spread evenly but thick enough to not run off the cookie. Add desired food coloring.
NOTE: I usually dip the tops of the cookies in the icing or paint the tops with a pastry brush if I want the entire cookie covered.


Butter Icing for Cookies
2 Cups Confectioners Sugar (sifted; this is very important)
2 1/2 Tablespoons Cream (or milk; whatever you have on hand)
4 Tablespoons Softened Butter
1 Tsp Vanilla
In a saucepan, over medium heat, heat cream and butter until butter is melted. Stir in the vanilla and sugar. Remove from the heat and beat with and electric mixer until thick and smooth. Add desired food coloring and decorate.


ENJOY!