Conversation Heart Cookies

I don't know what it is but I have been in baking mode lately!  And Valentines Day is the theme :)  I made these conversation heart cookies today and I love them!  They are time consuming but really fun to do.  

I tried a new sugar cookie recipe today and I really like it.  Can't say this is the end all recipe, I will keep adjusting but an improvement from previous recipes!


Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup heavy cream

In mixer bowl cream together butter and sugar.  Mix in eggs and vanilla.  In medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt.  Mix into

butter mixture alternately with heavy cream.  Scoop mixture out onto plastic wrap.  Wrap and chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. 

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes.  Smaller cookies will take about 6 minutes and larger 7-8 minutes to cook. 

Royal Icing

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons meringue powder

6 tablespoons water

gel food coloring

In large mixer bowl combine all ingredients.  Starting on low speed mix until combined.  Once combined increase to high and mix until glossy, about 3 minutes.  Separate into smaller bowls depending on how many different colors you are using and tint icing. 

At this point the icing will be at the appropriate consistency for outlining and writing on the cookies.  Once you go to fill in the cookies add a tad of water to each bowl, continue to add water and stir until at the correct consistency for easy spreading.