Be Mine Butter Cookies Valentines Day Edition
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Ever wondered what says "I love you" better than shop bought chocolates? Honestly, nothing beats valentines day cookies fresh from the oven! Get ready for a melt-in-your mouth experience that’s sure to impress.
Brief Overview
These butter cookies are inspired by classic European baking traditions. They're not too difficult, but require a bit of patience. The recipe yields around 24-30 cookies, perfect for sharing or gifting.
Main Benefits
Baking these heart shaped cookies is a fantastic way to show someone you care. Plus, they are a healthier alternative to store-bought valentines day desserts ! These cookies are special because they are totally homemade, from the dough to the cookie decorating .
Be Mine Butter Cookies: Valentine's Day Edition
These buttery, melt-in-your mouth sugar cookies are the perfect homemade valentines gift . A hint of vanilla and almond extract elevates the classic sugar cookie.
A simple royal icing provides a blank canvas for your creativity. Whether you're decorating with romantic messages or playful designs, these cookies are sure to steal your sweetheart's heart.
(and their sweet tooth!). Let's turn your kitchen into a valentines day baking wonderland, one delicious cookie at a time.
These valentines treats are a delightful way to celebrate love. They're also surprisingly versatile. The dough is easy to work with.
The icing offers endless possibilities. This is more than just a recipe. It's a chance to create something personal and memorable.
It becomes a romantic cookie recipe .
So grab your rolling pin and let's get started. Baking should be fun, not stressful. We're about to make some truly special valentines day cookies .
Alright, let's get cracking! Valentine's Day is coming up, and what's more romantic than freshly baked valentines day cookies ? Forget the overpriced chocolates, we're making heart shaped cookies that taste as good as they look.
Think "Great British Bake Off" meets a cosy night in.
Be Mine Butter Cookies: Ingredients & Equipment
Before we dive into making these adorable valentines day desserts , let's gather our bits and bobs. Honestly, having everything prepped makes baking so much smoother.
Trust me, been there, done that - scrambling for ingredients halfway through is not fun.
Main Ingredients for the Best Sugar Cookies
Okay, here's the breakdown for our romantic cookie recipe :
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups (300g) , plus extra for dusting. (Just your regular plain flour, nothing fancy.)
- Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon .
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon .
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (226g) , softened. (That's 2 sticks US, 250g EU). Make sure it's actually soft, not melted!
- Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup (150g) .
- Large egg: 1 .
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon . Good quality vanilla makes all the difference!
- Almond extract: 1/2 teaspoon . (Optional, but gives a fab flavour boost!)
- Powdered sugar: 4 cups (480g) , sifted. This is essential for smooth royal icing .
- Meringue powder: 3 tablespoons . It helps the icing set properly.
- Warm water: 1/2 cup (120 ml) .
- Gel food coloring. Get creative with those colors for your cookie decorating !
For the butter, quality really matters. Use a proper block of butter. This will make the cookies super buttery cookies .
Seasoning Notes for Flavorful Valentines Treats
Let's talk about flavour. The vanilla and almond extract combo is a winner. If you're not a fan of almond, just double up on the vanilla.
You can also add a tiny bit of lemon zest for extra zing. I love to make it a bit different!
Essential Equipment for Valentines Day Baking
Right, what you'll need:
- Mixer: Stand or hand mixer.
- Bowls: Big ones for mixing.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Rolling pin.
- Heart shaped cookie cutters : Various sizes for extra cuteness.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- Baking sheets.
- Squeeze bottles or piping bags: For the royal icing .
- Toothpicks: For smoothing out the icing (trust me, it helps).
Don't have a stand mixer? No worries, a good old hand mixer works just as well! If you don't have piping bags, a zip-lock bag with the corner snipped off does the trick for the icing.
This is a perfect homemade valentines gift .
Be Mine Butter Cookies: Valentine's Day Edition
Okay, so Valentine's Day desserts don't have to be stressful. Seriously. Let's ditch the pressure and make some seriously cute and delicious valentines day cookies .
These heart shaped cookies are buttery, vanilla kissed goodness, perfect for gifting or just treating yourself. Plus, they're way more personal than anything you can buy at the shops.
We're talking about butter cookies , the ultimate homemade valentines gift !
Prep Like a Pro
- Essential mise en place: Get everything out. Flour, sugar, butter the whole shebang. Chop, measure, and get those ingredients in separate bowls.
- Time saving organization tips: I like to measure my dry ingredients into one bowl and my wet into another. Then, when I'm ready to mix, it's a breeze.
- Safety reminders: Softened butter is key. Not melted, softened . If you microwave it, keep a close eye. No one wants exploded butter.
Let's Get Baking: The step-by-step
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in egg and extracts.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Chill dough for 1 hour . Seriously, don't skip this!
- Roll out dough, cut heart shaped cookies . Preheat oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .
- Bake for 8- 12 minutes , until lightly golden.
- Cool completely.
Pro Tips for Cookie Greatness
- Don't overmix the dough. It'll make the cookies tough. Gently bring it together, then stop .
- Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper makes it so much easier to transfer the cut-out shapes to the baking sheet. Trust me on this one.
- For easy cookie decorating , use squeeze bottles or piping bags for your royal icing . Also, meringue powder is your friend don't skip it!
Honestly? The first time I tried cookie decorating with royal icing , it was a disaster. Runny icing everywhere . But, the meringue powder trick is a game changer.
And if you want to gift these beauties, consider making them a day ahead. Then you can have more time for valentines day baking .
And if you're aiming for a romantic cookie recipe These valentines treats are sure to impress, specially if you take your time on make it extra pretty using gel food coloring and different designs on your sugar cookies .
Recipe Notes: Nailing Your Valentine's Day Cookies
So, you’re about to dive into making these heart shaped cookies . Awesome! Let’s cover some extra deets to make sure your valentines day baking goes smoothly.
Baking should be fun, not stressful, right? I remember one time I totally forgot the salt. Disaster! Learn from my mistakes, folks.
Serving Suggestions: Show 'Em Some Love!
Okay, these aren't just any old cookies. It's all about the presentation.
- Plating and Presentation Ideas: Arrange your sugar cookies beautifully on a plate. Think about a sprinkle of edible glitter. Line them up with rose petals . Ooh la la!
- Complementary Sides or Beverages: These valentines treats pair amazingly with a glass of bubbly Prosecco or a lovely cup of English Breakfast tea.
Storage Tips: Keep 'Em Fresh!
You worked hard on your homemade valentines gift ! Let's keep those butter cookies perfect.
- Refrigeration Guidelines: Store the undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you're in the hot weather, refrigerate for 5 to 7 days..
- Freezing Options: Freeze the baked, undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Wrap them well, in multiple layers or vacuum seal, ya know?.
- Reheating Instructions: Just let them thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat, unless you’re feeling adventurous!
Variations: Mix It Up!
Want to put your own spin on things? Go for it!
- Dietary Adaptations: gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I've tried it, and it works a treat.
- Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: Add a bit of orange zest to the dough. Or maybe some cardamom for a warm, spiced romantic cookie recipe .
Nutrition Basics: Just the Facts
A little something about what's inside this valentines day desserts .
- Simplified Nutrition Information: Roughly 170 calories per iced cookie. Think of it as a labour of love!
- Key Health Benefits: Apart from happiness? A little bit of joy goes a long way.
Don't be afraid to get creative with your cookie decorating . A simple royal icing design can look stunning. Now, get in the kitchen and have a blast! You’ve got this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Help! My valentines day cookies dough is too sticky, what did I do wrong?
Sticky dough is usually a sign that the butter was too warm when you mixed it, or that you added too much liquid. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us! Try adding a tablespoon or two of extra flour and kneading it in gently.
Most importantly, make sure you chill the dough for the full hour (or even longer) that's crucial for easy rolling!
Can I make these Valentine's Day cookies ahead of time? Like, a day or two before?
Absolutely! The baked cookies themselves can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also prepare the royal icing ahead of time; just store it in the fridge in an airtight container. When you're ready to decorate, bring the icing to room temperature and give it a good stir.
Think of it as your own personal "Bake Off" prep!
My royal icing is either too thick or too runny! Any tips for getting it just right?
Royal icing can be a bit of a Goldilocks situation getting it "just right" takes a little practice! For thick icing, add a tiny bit of water (a teaspoon at a time) until you reach the desired consistency. For runny icing, whisk in a tablespoon of sifted powdered sugar. Remember, patience is key!
You want a consistency that's thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread smoothly.
I'm trying to cut back on sugar. Are there any healthier alternatives I can use in these valentines day cookies?
While these are definitely a treat, there are a few things you can try. For the cookies themselves, you could reduce the sugar slightly (by about 1/4 cup) without drastically affecting the texture.
For the royal icing, consider using a natural sweetener like stevia or erythritol, but be aware that it may slightly alter the taste and consistency. You could also focus on using natural food colorings like beet juice for pink or spinach powder for green.
I don't have heart shaped cookie cutters! Can I still make these cookies?
Of course! While heart shapes are festive for Valentine's Day, any cookie cutter will work. Stars, circles, or even just cutting the dough into squares with a knife are all great options. The most important thing is that they taste delicious! You can get creative with the icing designs too.
No one will care about the shape when they taste that buttery goodness. It is your cookie canvas, after all!
Can I freeze these valentines day cookies, either before or after baking?
Yes, you can! To freeze the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling out. For baked cookies, freeze them undecorated in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw at room temperature and then decorate as desired. Freezing is a great way to get ahead on your baking prep!
Be Mine Butter Cookies Valentines Day Edition
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 170 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6g |
| Fiber | 0g |
