I used to travel to the Philippines for work. During my last trip (I think that was almost 7 years ago now), I was introduce to these wonderfully decorated sugar cookies. I was instantly drawn by their simpleness and how pretty they look. I got 2 "sunflowers" in lollipop sticks wrapped up with see through cellophane and tied up with a beautiful ribbon. They were for my little princesses waiting patiently for me to get home. I remembered the smile on their faces and the sparkles in their eyes when I presented them these simple gifts. Since then, I had been wanting to make them but somehow, never got around it....
2 years ago, I was presented with another sugar cookie. This time was from my lady boss. She gave away these lovely cookies that come as little cute overall, milk bottle and pacifiers as her son full moon celebration "cake" (in Chinese cultural, we celebrate baby's 1 month old birthday, and gives away cakes or cookies as favours). Once again, I told myself.... I really need to make these cute, little thing!
Now after 7 years since my first encounter (7 years itch must be working it's positive magic this time).... I finally got around making my "Sweethearts". I really had a lot lot of fun with them. The baked sugar cookies are like a blank canvas. I can literally decorate them with anything!! The sky is the limit here.
I also realized the biggest satisfaction of all with these cookies is the happiness they bring. My princesses felt it when I gave them the "sunflower", my colleague & I felt it when we got them from my boss. My friends felt it, when they got them from me. Go on.... put a smile on someone's face and see their eyes sparkle.........Spread the Sweet Heart around :)
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Cooling baked cookies |
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Iced and letting dry before the next color |
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Sweet Hearts |
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Sugar Cookies
3 cups (390 grams) all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
Royal Icing:
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups (330 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted
Sugar cookies prep
In a bowl whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
In your electric mixer bowl (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes). Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
Mix in flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough.
Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about one hour or until firm enough to roll.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Remove one half of the chilled dough from the refrigerator and, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch (1 cm). (Keep turning the dough as you roll, making sure the dough does not stick to the counter.)
Cut out desired shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter (I used heart shape here) and transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheets with the unbaked cookies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to chill the dough which prevents the cookies from spreading and losing their shape while baking.
Note: If you are not going to frost the baked cookies, you may want to sprinkle the unbaked cookies with crystal or sparkling sugar.
Bake cookies for about 8 - 10 minutes (depending on size) or until the edges are just starting to brown. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Makes about 36 - 4 inch (10 cm) cookies.
Royal Icing Prep
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the egg whites with the lemon juice.
Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth.
The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.
Add different colour to the icing to for your decoration. Add colouring a little droplet at a time to get the hue you desired.
Tips:
(recipe from Joyofbaking.com)