Big Brother was in kindergarten last year and his teacher commented on how much she liked the home-made cookies and breads I’ve sent for snack time. I offered to bake heart-shaped cookies for Valentine’s Day and she jumped at the chance. She explained that they should be plain so the students can add frosting and decorations during the class party. No problem!
I chose a recipe from one of my recent additions to the kitchen library. This was a previously untested recipe so I was risking complete failure by doing this and not sticking to my recipe for Christmas cutouts. I held my breath and went ahead.
The recipe only made about a dozen large hearts and I needed to bake at least 27 cookies for the party. After the first pan was cleared off to the cooling racks Little Sister helped herself to a cookie the size of her head. I heard the faint noise of munching behind me and realized what just happened. I couldn’t get mad. I knew another batch would have to be made to make my quota anyways. Pleading with her, I scooted her out of the kitchen and looked for a distraction in the form of a cute fuzzy animated panda. “Panna!” Little Sister plunked herself on the couch with her cookie. The rest were safe for the next 98 minutes.
Heart Cookies for a Decorating Party
Adapted from Sugar Cookies by Martha Stewart Living Magazine (COOKIES cookbook)
- original recipe, plus
- 2 tsp cinnamon (added)
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg (added)
I chilled the dough for an hour, then rolled it thicker than the recipe calls for. I put the giant hearts on parchment paper lined cookie sheets and baked until firm but not browned. This is a great recipe for any shape of cookie to suit the holiday.
midnitechef 
So cute and what a nice gesture you did!