The sweetness of Valentines’ Day is filled with its’ own brand of sweetness such as baking heart-shaped cookies and cakes, decorated with pink or red icing. There are also little red hot cinnamon heart candies, cupcakes, and little love note candies that convey messages ”be mine” and “love forever. “ Yes, I think I will eat that “love forever” candy with intention and put love forever inside me. Mmm.
Valentine’s Day is a good time to bake up some love. Moms, check those book bags for forgotten notes requesting you to send a couple dozen cookies or cupcakes for the big Valentine’s party at school. God bless all those elementary teachers for making sure so much love and caring goes out to every child on that big important day with little valentines passed out and some sweet treats.
Even if you don’t have school-age children it can be fun to bake cookies to take to work or drop off at a friend. They are sure to be loved by whoever gets to eat them. Sugar cookies are the perfect choice because they are so easy to make and you can have fun decorating them, or just cut them into heart shapes and call it good. You can dress them up with a skim coat of icing and then depending on your cake-decorating skills, you can further embellish them. Sprinkles or coloured sugar on wet icing will always look pretty and it is so easy. If you have a little more time dipping half of a heart-shaped sugar cookie in melted chocolate and then placing it on a cooling rack to let the chocolate harden is another unique Valentine cookie finishing technique.
The history of sugar cookies goes back to ancient Persia, 7th century AD. Cookies were baked until very dry and hard, to increase storage time and portability. In the Middle Ages England, rose water was used to flavour the cookie as well. From the Middle Ages to the present day, and around the world, the sugar cookie recipe has evolved, but it is still a favourite for celebrations like Valentine’s Day and Christmas. Even though they are easy to make, they burn quickly, so keep a close eye on them. They are best made using real butter.
Sugar Cookies
1/2 cup butter – room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons milk or cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar, beat in the egg yolk. Beat in the flour, with the baking powder one-half cup at a time with 1 tablespoon of the milk at a time, until all the flour, milk, and vanilla has been added. If the dough is very soft, then put it in the refrigerator to chill before rolling. To roll, be sure to flour both sides of the cookie dough to prevent it from sticking to the counter and the rolling pin. Roll to a thickness of 1/4 “. Cut with your cookie cutters, and place on an ungreased baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 – 10 minutes, depending on your oven. The bottom of the cookie should just be turning golden brown, makes about 30 – 36 cookies depending on the size of your cookie cutter.