We don’t really “do” Valentine’s day. A lot of women need the flowers, and the chocolate, and the expensive dinner, and the presents. Me? I figure when you add that all up you can afford a pretty damn good bottle of wine so… it’s really a no brainer: skip all that and pop a bottle of the “good stuff”. Stay home! Whip up a homemade pizza, cue up a movie, and pop that quality bottle of booze that you’re celebrating…er… I mean… stare into the eyes of your Valentine and… oh let’s be real- pop open that bottle! There is one way that I celebrate this “holiday” and that, my friends, is with cookies.
I’ve always loved the idea of holidays with corresponding baking assignments. I was that kid in school that liked homework, just because I could color code it into my “pre-historic spreadsheet” (aka- paper planner) of “things to accomplish”. The difference between color coded due dates and color coded cookies is desire. Now, that’s a word we hope would be aligned with this heat shaped holiday. But, not in the way you might initially think. I desire to bake these festive, holiday corresponding cookies. Despite a full work day, plus being dumb enough to go to the newly opened Seattle Zara and waiting for a half hour for the waiting room alone, to spring for an Uber home even when you don’t really have the budget but your amazing outfit completing shoes are killing you and you still have dinner to make AND you also want to make 4 dozen cookies for your office. That, my friends, is desire. Trust me, I wanted to NOT bake these cookies! I’d LOVE to be sound asleep at 12:32 instead of writing up this blog post but that also takes desire. “You have a new subscriber” e-mails have increased in the past few weeks and I wouldn’t want to leave you guys high and dry on blog posts! Although, I hope NONE of you are awake right now looking for this recipe. Make these delicious cookies or something else from my Delicious Desserts Pinterest board for some post-holiday treating.
On this day of love, I want to say that I love you guys! You are the reason I am up past 12:30am after a full day of work! You are the reason that I write, and I wish I could share these delicious cookies with each of you, but I can only share the recipe for now. Love to all of you on this heart-shaped holiday!!! XOXO
Heart Shaped Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies
Makes 36 medium cookies | Hands-On Time: 25m | Total Time: 1hr 15m
Recipe from Real Simple
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for the work surface
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 cups sticks of unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar, more to sprinkle on top
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated (the dough will be stiff). Shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
Remove from the fridge and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
On a floured surface, roll the dough to ¼ inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut into shapes. I use a Silpat for my baking, but you can also use parchment paper or cooking spray. Space cookies 1½ inches apart. Sprinkle with a little additional sugar.
Bake until just beginning to brown at the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.