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February 1, 2011

Valentine Cookies


In lieu of cards I send my nieces, nephews and goddaughter Valentine cookies.  For this year's batch I decided to go the classic route - simple hearts frosted in pink and red.   To keep them from being too boring I sprinkled fine grained sanding sugar onto the still wet royal icing.  Once dried the cookies have this shimmer and sparkle that makes them really beautiful. 

If you're unsure of your cookie decorating abilities I highly recommend you try this technique.  It's low effort with a really high impact; kind of my mantra these days.  The packaging I chose follows that same principle.  All it takes are some cellophane bags, waxed linen, whimsical tags and you've got yourself a homemade Valentine that any loved one would be happy to receive.  


Supplies:
cellophane bags: Kitchen Crafts
pink waxed linen: The Caning Shop
Valentine's Day tags: Anders Ruff on etsy


Basic Vanilla Sugar Cookie 

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla extract and combine until egg is completely incorporated.  Add flour, baking powder and salt and mix until no trace of dry ingredients remain. 

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4" thickness and cut out shapes using cookie cutters.

Bake for about 18 minutes or until golden brown.


Royal Icing

4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup meringue powder
1/4 cup water
gel food coloring

Mix powdered sugar and meringue powder in bowl of stand mixer until well combined.  Slowly add water and mix until you get the consistency you want*.  Add food coloring to achieve your desired color.

For outlining: consistency should be like glue paste
For flooding: add enough water so that the consistency is pretty runny

* Note: Royal Icing is extremely forgiving.  If you find you've added too much water and the icing is too runny, just add more powdered sugar.  Vice versa if your icing is too thick.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous2/02/2011

    Very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  2. you are so very talented! your creations are absolutely beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous2/07/2011

    And they taste amazing according to your goddaugther's dad. Thank you so much talented auntie Truc x x

    ReplyDelete