Sweetheart Sugar Cookies
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Show your sweetheart your love year-round with these cute cookies. Slip one in a child's lunchbox, beside a spouse's morning coffee, or to a much-appreciated friend. Nothing says "You're Loved!" like a heart-shaped sugar cookie.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg, beating until blended.
Step 2
Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended.
Step 3
Divide dough into 2 equal portions; flatten each portion into a disk. Cover and chill 10 minutes.
Step 4
Place 1 dough disk on a heavily floured surface, and roll to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with a 3-inch heart-shaped cutter. Place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Repeat procedure with remaining dough disk.
Step 5
Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheets 5 minutes; transfer to wire racks, and let cool completely (about 30 minutes).
Step 6
Whisk together meringue powder and 2 Tbsp. water. Brush cookies with mixture, or dip cookies in mixture, and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
Step 7
For jumbo cookies: Cut rolled-out dough with a 4 1/2-inch heart-shaped cutter. Bake at 350° for 15 to 17 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Makes: about 1 dozen.
Step 8
For bite-size cookies: Cut rolled-out dough with a 1-inch heart-shaped cutter. Bake at 350° for 8 to 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Makes: about 20 dozen.
Chef's Notes
You may need to prepare additional meringue powder-and-water mixture as you decorate cookies. Sanding sugar may also be called "fine" sugar.
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AnneBohn's Review
These cookies are perfect for Valentines' Day. They are sturdy enough to hold on to the topping, but have a delicate taste. The sugar topping works well. They even travel well to far-away friends who need more that a card. We all love them!
tailey144's Review