College Cookbook - Valentine Cookies

Trying to make someone's heart beat a little faster this February?  Yummy Valentine's cookies are just the way. They are light on the wallet and heavy on sentiment--a no doubt pleaser in the season of love.

Shopping list

Butter

Sugar

Eggs

Flour

Baking Soda

Salt

Buttermilk

Sanding sugar (optional)

Apricot or strawberry jam (optional)

Portions

2 sticks of unsalted butter

2 cups of sugar

2 large eggs

4 2/3 cups of all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4  teaspoon salt

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup pale -pink or white sanding sugar

2/3 apricot or strawberry jam

1. In bowl mix, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until fluffy, about 4 minutes

2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each

3. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into large bowl

4. On low speed, gradually add flour mixture,alternating with buttermilk until combined

5. Wrap dough in plastic; chill until firm, (overnight)

6. To color white sanding sugar: place a few tablespoons in a small bowl

7. Heat oven to 350 degrees with two racks centered

8. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper

9. On lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough 1/8 inch thick

10. Cut out hearts using any 1-3-1/2 inch heart cookie cutters

11. Transfer with spatula to baking sheets. Chill for 30 minutes

12. Sprinkle with sanding sugar

13. Bake until golden brown, (about 10 minutes)

14. Transfer cookies to cooling rack. Continue with dough; re-roll scraps

15. To make sandwich hearts: brush bottom hearth lightly with jam. Cover with a second heart with center cut out; jam will adhere to heart. Fill cut out area with more jam.