Be My Valentine!
Cookies can say a lot in just one bite. Each of these heart-shaped cookies says “I love you” ... “Be my Valentine” ... “You are special to me.” I am fortunate to have many people in my life that are important to me and every Valentine’s Day I go crazy making sure they know it. While decorating these pretty bites, I think of each one of my special people and can’t wait to let them know that they have a place in my heart, not only on February 14th, but every day of the year.
“Where love is concerned, too much is not even enough.” William Shakespeare
P.S. I have been known to make heart-shaped cookies for birthdays and often use heart shapes for my cookie “experiments.”
Special Note
The painting on the pink ombre heart cookie (see slideshow above) was inspired by a tutorial on the Sweet Sugar Belle blog. It’s so easy to create this beautiful look.
Valentine’s Cookie specifics
Brown-Butter Cookies. Made with brown butter, which gives them a deep, rich caramelized flavor, these cookies are unique and delicious. They were covered with a mixture of homemade fondant and sculpting chocolate. Some were embossed and some were airbrushed with Wilton Color Mist.
Classic Sugar Cookie. This classic sugar cookie brings back memories of the Christmas cookies my mother made during the holidays...with a bold vanilla flavor and slightly soft texture, they make me smile every time I eat one. They were covered with a mixture of homemade fondant and sculpting chocolate. Some were embossed and some were airbrushed with Wilton Color Mist. Final embellishments were done with royal icing.
“Sentimental” symbols of love & devotion
Flulted hearts and strait-edged hearts plus various cookie stencils
Sizes
These hearts were 2½ inches wide, my favorite size for decorating and eating!
Cookie Recipe from This Talented Cookie Artist
Brown-Butter Cookies. Original recipe from Sugar Hero.
My (Tweaked) Family Recipe
Classic Sugar Cookie. A recipe based on one from Mrs. Gregor, a neighbor of my mom’s when she was a newlywed.
Cookies
Classic Sugar Cookies: flour, butter, granulated sugar, egg, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, salt
Brown-Butter: flour, brown butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, cornstarch, vanilla, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Royal Icing: confectioner’s sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract or almond extract, cream of tartar, food coloring
White Chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, nonfat milk, vanilla
Homemade Fondant: sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, gelatin, water, vanilla extract, food coloring (optional)
Wilton Color Mist: alcohol, glycerin, food coloring
Tray, Box or Bag?
Tray. I made these for a potluck so I arranged them on a decorative tray and wrapped the whole thing in clear plastic wrap. This was a safe way to get them from my house to my friend’s house.
Box. I also made several dozen to give away as gifts. My favorite way to box 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 fit 18 of these 2½-inch cookies in a box.
I like these 6x6x3" bakery boxes from amazon.com.
Bags. I wanted to give some of the cookies as individual gifts, so I wrapped each one in a clear, food-safe bag, secured with a twist tie. This helped keep the decorations intact.
I like these 4x6" treat bags from amazon.com.
Mailing. I mailed several dozen 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 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?
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