Thursday, February 10, 2011

Valentine SweetHeart Cookies

These homemade Valentine's Day treats are the sweetest way to say "I Love You" to everyone special in your life. This recipe makes a lot of cookies, but it can be halved, or you can freeze a portion of the dough for up to three weeks. Makes several dozen, depending on cookie size.

Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
4 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup pale-pink or white sanding sugar (optional)
Petal dust in pink, orange, and violet tones (optional)
2/3 cup apricot or strawberry jam, slightly warmed (optional)

Directions:
1. In bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into large bowl. On low speed, gradually add flour mixture to mixer bowl, alternating with buttermilk, until combined. Wrap dough in plastic; chill until firm, 1 hour or overnight.

2. To color white sanding sugar, if using: Place a few tablespoons in a small bowl. Mix in petal dust with a toothpick, a bit at a time, until desired shade is reached. Colored sanding sugar will last indefinitely.

3. Heat oven with two racks centered to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. On lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut out hearts using any 1- to 3 1/2-inch heart cookie cutters. If desired, cut centers out of some hearts. Transfer with spatula to baking sheets. Chill for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if using. Bake until just golden but not too brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack. Continue with dough; reroll scraps.

4. To make sandwich hearts: Brush bottom heart lightly with jam; cover with a second heart with center cut out; jam will adhere hearts. Fill cut-out area with more jam. Cookies will keep, in an airtight container, at room temperature for 1 week.

True Love Reigns Supreme!

At Vintage Home Collective we are all hopeless romantics, so Valentine's Day is a big one for us! February 14th is fast approaching so come in today to pick up a unique "little something" - a "token of your affection" for that special someone on that most loveliest of days! Even though they are nice, you won't find any passé boxes of chocolates or flowers here - Let's try and be a little more original this year folks! Instead, we offer up a stunning collection of fancy jewelry...baubles, bangles, and blingy beads...some creations even handmade! A darling menagerie of dolls, stuffed animals, and bedtime books for that little sweetheart in your life. Handmade scented candles in vintage tins that you can illuminate over that romantic dinner you share together. We even have a pretty variety of valentine cards (for lovers & friends alike), gift bags, and gift wrap to present your purchase with style. Shop until your heart is content...you will fall in love with our quaint little store all over again!

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker."