Stupid Cupid, Stop Pickin On Me

     I may or may not be the only single girl in the galaxy that loves Valentine's Day. I love seeing guys running around with flowers and little kids handing out cards to ALL their classmates. I even love all of the "hallmark" aspects of the day. I think it's romantic and endearing. To all the people who boycott Valentine's Day because it's, "a corporate-produced holiday that has no roots or interest in love...": build a bridge, and get over it. Celebrate who and what you love. Wear red. Send some cards. Make some cookies. Reap all of the half-off chocolate on the 15th.

Sugar Cookie Hearts

     Sugar cookie dough is really easy to pull together. For this recipe, cream together the softened butter with the sugar and the salt for a good minute or two. Add the egg, vanilla, and orange zest and beat until combined. Now add the flour and baking powder into the mixture and stir until the dough begins to form into a ball. 

     Roll out the dough and cut the cookies into any shape you like. I chose hearts because they're cute and St. Valentine digs them. Place the cookies onto a lined baking sheet and chill in the freezer (or outside if it's still polar vortexing for you) for 20 minutes. Bake the cookies for 7-10 minutes, depending on thickness.

     After the cookies have cooled, you can ice them and add sprinkles or powdered sugar. I made a royal icing for these since I'm taking them to work and I want people to RESPECT MY CRAFT! To do this, combine two cups of powdered sugar with an egg white and a teaspoon of citrus juice (I used orange since the cookies already have the zest).

Recipe

(Adapted from the blog "Fine Baking")

375 F 7-10 min

Cookies

3 c flour 

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 c butter, softened 

1 c sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

the zest of one small orange 

Icing

2 c powdered sugar

1 tsp citrus juice

1 egg white

food coloring (optional)