Making Sweets For Your Sweet
When all else fails, nothing can beat a homemade treat as a gift. And, of all the things that you can make, cookies have to be at the top of the list.
And, at the top of my list of cookies are cut out cookies that I get to decorate. Here are some great recipes, and some fun kitchen tools for you to make your own.
So, What Is A Sugar Cookie?
The Definition Of "Sugar Cookie" From Wikipedia
A 'sugar cookie' is a cookie usually made with baking soda, sugar, eggs, flour, vinegar, salt, milk and vanilla.In the mid-1700s, German Protestant settlers in the Nazareth area of Pennsylvania perfected the recipe of the sugar cookie; thus, the sugar cookie is sometimes referred to as the Nazareth Sugar Cookie. On September 5, 2001, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted the sugar cookie as its "Official Cookie".
While other types of cookies, such as the chocolate chip cookie, are usually baked and consumed in circle form, sugar cookies can be rolled out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters, as well as decorated with sugar sprinkles or icing.
(...from Wikipedia)
I Wish My Valentine's Cookies Were This Pretty!
Valentine's Day Cookie Photos From Flicker
Deluxe Sugar Cookie Recipe
INGREDIENTS* 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
Add egg and extracts.
Combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Chill for at least 1 hour.
On a surface lightly sprinkled with confectioners' sugar, roll out the dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
Heart Shaped Cookie Cutters
Cookie Cutters In Valentine's Day Sets
Holiday Butter Cookie Recipe
INGREDIENTS
* 1 cup butter
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
* 1 egg
DIRECTIONS
Cream the butter until light. Gradually add in the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and almond extract.
Gradually stir in the flour.
Cover and chill dough until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C).
Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 or 1/8 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters or stamps.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 8 to 12 minutes.
Baking Mats & Cookie Sheets
Cream Cheese Cut-Out Cookie Recipe
INGREDIENTS* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 egg
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the creamed mixture.
Divide dough into two pieces, cover and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut in to desired shapes using cookie cutters and place the cookies at least 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 7 to 9 minutes in the preheated oven, until bottoms are lightly browned and cookies are firm. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
You'll Also Need Rolling Pins & Cooling Racks
Wilton Nonstick Cooling Grid, 14 1/2 by 20 Inch
Amazon Price: $21.00 (as of 07/27/2008)
List Price: $14.49
Used Price:
Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Oxo Good Grips Rolling Pin
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/27/2008)
List Price: $27.95
Used Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
SilverStone Simply Baking Cooling Rack Set
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/27/2008)
List Price: $14.99
Used Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
J.K. Adams BRP-1 10-1/2-Inch by 2-1/8-Inch Maple Bakers Pin
Amazon Price: $9.00 (as of 07/27/2008)
List Price: $10.00
Used Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Baker's Secret 10-by-16-Inch Nonstick Cooling Rack, Set of 2
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/27/2008)
List Price: $5.99
Used Price:
Usually ships in 24 hours
Sugar Cookie Frosting
INGREDIENTS
* 4 cups confectioners' sugar
* 1/2 cup shortening
* 5 tablespoons milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* food coloring (optional)
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners' sugar and shortening until smooth.
Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.
Valentine's Day Cookies On The Internet
Sugar Cookie Glaze
INGREDIENTS:* 1 cup confectioners' sugar
* 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
* 2 tablespoons water
* 10 drops food coloring
DIRECTIONS:
Stir confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, and water together.
Stir in food coloring if desired.
Stir the glaze in between frosting each cookie to keep the color clear. You can either dip the cookie top down into the glaze, use a small paint brush to apply it to the cookie, or drizzle it over the cookie top from a spoon. If you want to use multiple colors on a cookie, let the first coat dry to prevent the colors from running together. Flavor extracts can also be added to the glaze mix.
Valentine's Cookie Decorations
The Perfect Card Comes From The Heart
When you give these cookies, you'll want the perfect card to go with them. The perfect card says what is in your heart - and to get that you need to check out the awesome selection of Personalized Valentine's Day Cards, handmade by Crafty-Fox.The "Shiny Love" card shown here is just one of their beautiful designs. Visit the website to see the full selection of cards available.
Looking For Another Excellent Resource For Cookies?
Check out this awesome page:
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The Best Cookies Ever
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One thing you can get a jump on for any occasion, or holiday is baking. Bake your cookies now, and throw them in the freezer. You'll be ready to pull them out at the last minute dress them up, or throw on some last minute decorations. Your friends an...
Valentine Cookie Guest Book
Thanks for stopping by, please leave a note to let me know your thoughts, or just to say hello.
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Tiddledeewinks
WOW! Great lens on a great holiday cookie. I love sugar cookies, and will now have to start creating some more. Why wait until Valentines Day? Yummy! Thanks for the recipes. Posted July 01, 2008 |
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beeobrien
Such wonderful pictures, and thanks for the recipes. Sugar cookies are such a great outlet for creativity. Posted April 09, 2008 |
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kathysart
~~*~~ Posted February 10, 2008 |
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Barkely
Sweet! I lensrolled you on my Valentine party lens. Love that cookie resource at the bottom;) Wonderful photos and recipes. Posted February 05, 2008 |
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EclecticWAHM
Fabulous lens! I've lensrolled on my Valentine's lens. I can't wait to make some cookies now! Posted February 02, 2008 |
