Sugar Cookies | Valentine's Day

I have used this sugar cookie recipe for years.  I am not even sure where or who I got it from.  It makes a nice soft cookie.  If you're looking to make a cut-out cookie with a lot of detail... this is not the one.  I use a different sugar cookie recipe at Christmas, but for hearts this works great.

This recipe makes a big batch... perfect for sharing.

SOFT SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup shortening - 2 cups sugar

Cream shortening and sugar together.  (I use my KitchenAid with beater attachment.)

3 eggs - 1 cup milk ( I use whole) - 1 teaspoon vanilla

Add eggs, milk and vanilla.  Beat until combined.

4 tsps baking powder - 2 tsps baking soda - 1/2 tsp salt - 7 cups flour

In separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, then add to the wet ingredients a cup at a time until all is incorporated.

Lay out plastic wrap, and scrape out dough onto wrap.  Flatten out and cover completely, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes prior to rolling.

Flour your surface, roll out thick (about 1/4) and cut with heart shape cutter.

Bake at 375 for 5-8 minutes.  Do not let brown.

I cool my cookies on a rack until time to frost.

Since I usually make these cookies for sharing, or giving to a class, I want my frosting to harden.  I simply use powdered sugar (I like to sift mine), add milk and a small amount of vanilla until desired consistency.  Add in your color.

I rarely use shortening in a cookie recipe, but as I have ventured out and tried many, many, many sugar cookie recipes... I always come back to this one for my heart cookies.

I hope you try it.  I think you'll like it.

XOXO