I came across this recipe on this fab blog called Lauren’s Latest, and I think I may have become a bit of a fan girl!
I’ve said before that I don’t really do much with or for the kids for Valentine’s Day, especially now that they are older. I just don’t have time, or the memory capacity to get organised and do stuff! BUT this year is a bit different isn’t it? It’s the year of finding any excuse AT ALL to do something fun.
These heart shaped cookies are stoopidly easy and if I can manage to make them a few weeks post partum with Reuben ‘helping’ then anyone can make these with their toddlers. Plus, how clever will your toddler feel when they can tell Grandma and Grandpa that the heart got in there by magic…
You will need:
- 3 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 8oz butter, cold & cut into chunks
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons liquid red food colouring
Mix the plain flour, baking powder in a bowl. Cream the butter and sugar together until white and fluffy add the egg, vanilla extract and a couple of tablespoons of the flour mixture to stop the egg splitting. Mix.
Divide off about a 1/3 of the mixture and add the red food colouring, this will be the heart part of the cookie.
Roll out the red until it is about an inch thick, cut out as many heart shapes as you can and stack them together in a line. Cover them with the remaining dough (see the picture) and wrap them in cling film, rolling if you need to to even out the ‘cookie tube’ if you like. You really must put them in the fridge for at least a couple of hours, or over night if you can (I only did 2 hours and they were fine, but if I had more time – I meant patience – I would have left them overnight).
Pre heat your oven to 350F or GM 4.
Slice the mixture into 1/2 inch rounds and line up on a baking tray – you need to leave rough about an inch between each cookie because it will spread as it cooks. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes and then leave to cool on the tray for 2 -3 minutes until you can lift them off and put them on a wire rack to cool completely.
These are perfect for gift giving, they are just adorable, but if you don’t really bother with giving on Valentine’s Day then these are just a delicious treat to have in the house or surprise family with when they come over!
Harriet x
