urban. apron.

View Original

Valentine's Day Sugar Cookie Hearts

Hello!

I feel like it’s been SOOOO long since I wrote a post! 2020 was quite the year, and being pregnant for most of it meant I was also nauseous for most of it. For some reason, nausea lingers the entire pregnancy for me no matter what remedies I try… and I feel like I have tried them all! Which also means I don’t bake, cook or blog as often. Buuuut, I am back! And finally feeling the urge to get back in the kitchen, both cooking and baking. Which feels so good!

I am going to do a newborn post soon, but today, I share with you my go-to cut out sugar cookie recipe. I turn to this one every time I need a cut out sugar cookie. It’s originally from a Martha Stewart cookbook I had in high school, circa 2005 perhaps… but I still make to this day!

For the icing, you can make your own. I took a short cut here and just used store-bought since I was baking with a toddler and making homemade cookies is about all we can muster before the kitchen literally turns to ruin. A store-bought frosting makes life easier and still fun! I divided it in half and added a little red food coloring to half of it to make pink frosting. MY TIP: If you are choosing between your sanity or homemade… go with your sanity (i.e. store bought!).

Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Hearts

(Makes about 2 dozen cookies)

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • ¼ tsp. salt

  • ½ tsp. baking powder

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

  • Icing, to decorate (With kids, store-bought frosting is easiest)

Directions: 

  1. Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside.

  2. In a mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until incorporated.  Add the milk and mix to combine.

  3. Transfer dough on a surface and shape into a disc. Wrap the disc and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight. 

  4. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to desired thickness (usually about 1/8 inch thick).  Cut out into desired shapes. We did hearts for Valentine’s day!

  5. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Keep an eye on them at the end because you do not want to brown the cookies on the edges or they will be overbaked!

  6. Cool on wire racks and decorate with icing as desired when completely cooled.