Food / 6 February, 2017 / Peggy Porschen

How to Make Valentine’s Heart Cookies

Baking instructions:

Ingredients:

• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 200g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 1 medium egg, lightly beaten
• 400g plain sifted flour, plus extra for dusting

Method:

• Place the butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt into a bowl and cream together. Do not overwork, or the cookies will spread during baking.
• Slowly pour the beaten egg into the mixture while whisking until well incorporated.
• Add the flour and mix on low speed until just combined.
• Gather the dough into a ball, wrap in clingfilm and chill for at least 30 minutes or until cool and firm.
• Briefly knead the dough, place onto a floured surface and roll it out until about 5mm thick.
• Cut out the heart shapes and place them onto an oven tray lined with greaseproof paper.
• Chill for another 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 175 degrees celsius and bake the cookies for about 6 to 10 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
• Allow to cool completely before decorating them.

Decorating instructions

Ingredients:

• 250g white sugar paste
• 100g white flower paste (you can get this from places such as Squires Kitchen)
• 1tsp white vegetable fat (Trex or white Flora)
• 1/2 tsp rose water
• Pink gel food colour (we like dusky pink/wine from Sugar Flair)
• Edible gold lustre
• Small amount of vodka
• 2tbsp icing sugar

Method:

• Mix the flower paste until smooth and pliable, if it is sticky you can add the vegetable fat
• Combine the flower and sugar paste to make a smooth paste, then add the rose water
• Create three shades of pink by gradually adding the food colouring to the paste mix (keep paste covered with cling film if not using to prevent it from drying
• Lightly dust a smooth kitchen surface with icing sugar and roll each paste colour out until about 1mm thick
• Cut out different heart shapes using the same heart cookie cutters used for baking
• Mix a small amount of icing sugar with some water to make a thick glue consistency. Thinly brush it over the cookies, then place your heart sugar shapes on top of each cookie
• Mix a few drops of vodka with the edible gold lustre to a create a thick paint
• Dip a (new) toothbrush or a wide artist brush with firm bristles into the golden paint and splash it over the hearts
• Let the paint and sugar paste dry and enjoy!

If stored in an airtight container they will last for up to 6 weeks.