Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Hearts

These cookies are a great treat for Valentines Day!  They look and taste great and are really easy to make.  I find it easiest to pour the melted chocolate onto a plate to dip the cookies in!

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening

In a small bowl whisk together flour and salt.  Set aside.  In mixer bowl beat butter until smooth.  Scrape the bowl so that all the butter is at the bottom.  Add in sugar and mix until combined.  Mix in vanilla.  Slowly add in flour and mix until just combined.  Mixture will look crumbly but will be buttery soft to the touch!  Place mixture onto plastic wrap and form into a disc shape.  Refrigerate for one hour!

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll out dough and cut into desired shapes.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.  Allow to cool completely.

In microwaveable bowl combine chocolate chips and shortening.  Melt in microwave for 15-30 second intervals, stirring in between.  Dip each cookie into the chocolate until bottom is coated and place on wax paper until cooled and hardened (you can put them in the fridge to speed up the drying time)!  Place remaining chocolate in pastry bag and pipe on lettering if desired!