Sugar Cookie

It is February and all of a sudden we are surrounded by hearts! It is as if the whole world has gone heart shaped to remind you that love is in the air!

For the loved ones in your home, a mushy card or a dozen long stemmed roses may not do much. But treat them with a plate of freshly baked cookies on Valentine's Day, you will have them clamouring around you for more, saying "you are the best, I love you!"

I will share with you the recipes for some special occasion cookies.

Sugar Cookies:

3 cups All purpose flour:

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.

Mix dry ingredients and add little by little to the butter mixture stirring well after each addition.

Mix until flour is completely integrated and dough comes together as one mass.

Chill in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.

Roll on a floured board to the thickness of 1/4 inch (6 mm) and cut into heart shapes. Decorate with store bought sprinkles or a pinch of coloured sugar or a cherry or raisin in the centre.

Bake on ungreased baking tray at 350* F (180*C) for 8 to 10 minutes (till edges start browning slightly).

Makes about 24 cookies.


Valentine cookies:




Chocolate Nut Cookies:

2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg beaten
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cuo almonds or cashewnuts, chopped

In a bowl combine butter and brown sugar until fluffy.

Stir in beaten egg, flour, cocoa. Add nuts and mix. Chill for an hour.

Roll on a slightly floured board into 1/4" (6 mm) thickness and cut into heart shapes using a cookie cutter.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 1" (2.5 cm) apart and bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350*F (180*C).

Baked cookies can be dipped in or drizzled with melted chocolate to make them more fancy.

Makes around 20 cookies.

Happy Valentines Day to you!