Hearts and chocolate...the perfect expression of love on Valentine’s Day. Turn them into cookies and you really have something to celebrate. (It doesn’t hurt to add a hug and a kiss to get the “love” part of the message across.)
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” Charles Schultz
Chocolate is the perfect Valentine’s Day treat and decorated chocolate cutout cookies make everyone smile. I am definitely in my happy place when I’m adding intricate designs to the surface of a chocolate cookie. All the colors really pop against the dark cookie canvas. These cookies taste like brownies and don't need a pile of frosting to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Of course, I’m not against adding a pile of frosting. This is about love, afterall.
Cookie specifics
Ultimate Chocolate Cutout Cookies. A chocolate-lover’s dream, these cutout cookies are rich and chocolatey. I use them as the cookie base for my chocolate cookie pops and ganache-filled sandwich cookies! They are right at the top of my list for edible Valentines.
“Sentimental” symbols of love & devotion
Flulted hearts and strait-edged hearts, big hearts, litle hearts, Xs and Os for hugs and kisses
Sizes range from mini (2 inches) to 2½ to 3 inches, which is my favorite size for decorating and eating!
Greetings & Messages
You know I’m not wrong to say that the only important letters of the alphabet on Valentine’s Day are the X and the O. Afterall, hugs and kisses are the outward expression of the sentiment we celebrate on this holiday.
Cookie Recipe from This Talented Cookie Artist
Ultimate Chocolate Cutout Cookies. Original recipe from Lila Loa.
Cookies
Ultimte Chocolate Cookies: flour, cocoa, butter, sugar, vegetable shortening, egg, baking powder, pure vanilla extract, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Royal Icing: confectioner’s sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract or almond extract, cream of tartar, food coloring
Glaze: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring (optional), various extracts for flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon, raspberry, etc.)
Sprinkles: All shapes, sizes, colors...from stars to hearts to mini eyeballs. Also lots of big-crystal sugars in various colors.
Plate, Box or Bag?
Paper Plate. Since this is Valentine’s day, I put the cookies on a red-and-white plate and wrapped the whole thing in clear plastic wrap to get them where they needed to be.
Box. My favorite way to transport or mail my cookies is to package them in a cardboard bakery box with a clear window on top that makes the contents visible to anyone who wants to peek. I was able to get a lot of these small-ish cookies into a box. I also put some into a pretty red cookie tin with a peek-a-boo window. So cute!
Bags. I gave some of the cookies as individual gifts so I wrapped each one in a clear, food-safe bag, secured with a twist tie.
Mailing. A week or so before February 14th, I mailed dozens of cookies to my family and friends throughout the U.S. I always send them Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I use the boxes provided by the Post Office and lots of bubble wrap. In almost all cases, the cookies arrive undamaged. I know the packages are appreciated when they arrive because of the texts and photos I get with all those smiling faces.
What I’ve learned...
These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in a small batch of two dozen. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
Comments
Thank you for the delicious…
Thank you for the delicious cookies Yay for love!
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