Welcome to our second installment in our four days Valentine’s Day Series. Today, I’m sharing Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas.
I know I mentioned this project is one of a series of four Valentine’s Day Projects.
Sunday’s Post – Valentine’s Day Wreath Tutorial
Tuesday’s Post – Valentine’s Day Cookie Packaging
Wednesday’s Post – Valentine’s Day Card
Do you love the iced sugar cookies but feel intimidated by the whole process? Well, today we are going to tackle how to make and decorate ice cookies.
Well, a good royal icing recipe is probably key to your success. Also, I might mention a good sugar cookie recipe that keeps its shape is just as important. So, I’m sharing my favorite recipes in this blog post. I feel you can’t have one without the other.
Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating
BAKING COOKIES
I always wanted my sugar cookies to look like store-bought ones. I was always frustrated when the cookies spread while baking, and sadly I ended up with a bloated shaped cookie.
A couple of years ago, I finally cracked the case on how to make a perfectly shaped sugar cookie. And I’m sharing my tips with you today. I promise that you’ll have the prettiest shaped cookies if you follow the sugar cookie recipe directions.
Ok, here is the first part of your tasks, baking your sugar cookies.
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Sugar Cookie
This is the best recipe for cut out sugar cookies. They won't spread and they keep their shapes.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time8 minutes mins
refrigerate1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 18 minutes mins
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cookie, Cookie recipe, Sugar Cookie
Servings: 30 medium size cookies
Calories: 165kcal
Author: Janine Waite
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs large
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This takes about one minute on low speed.
Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Mix flour and salt in a separate bowl.
With your mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add flour mixture to the butter. Mix for 30 seconds until the dough is thoroughly incorporated.
Divide dough into two parts. Place each between two pieces of parchment paper.
Roll out each set of dough. I rolled mine out to a 6 mm thickness, but it is whatever thickness you prefer.
Transport each cookie dough to a cookie sheet.
Refrigerate the cookie doughs for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°
Take chilled cookie dough and cut out cookie shapes and place the cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Place cut out cookies back in the fridge for about 10 minutes.
Reroll extra dough and place cut out cookies back in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Remove chilled cookies from fridge and bake for 8-10 minutes.
With the extra dough reroll and chill for 10 minutes. The colder the cookies the better they keep their shape when baking. I hope this makes sense.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookies | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 394IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!
LET’S TALK ABOUT ICING
For years, I didn’t attempt icing sugar cookies since they intimidated me.
Finally, I took the plunge.
I learned a few things along the way about making pretty iced sugar cookies. First, a good icing recipe is key, and secondly, the right cake decorating tools. I finally broke down and invested in some good pastry bags and tips.
Let’s chat about how to frost your sugar cookies.
When it comes to icing, you’ll want a consistency that is similar to marshmallow fluff. If you aren’t familiar with fluff, then look for a frosting that is a bit on the runny side. If you watch my icing video, you’ll see the consistency.
Here is another easy tip: The10 Second Rule. To check the consistency, drag the tip of a knife through the surface of theicing, letting the knife go approximately an inch deep, and slowly count to10. If the surface of theicingsmoothes over in approximately10 seconds,then youricingis the correct consistency and is now ready to use.
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Royal Icing Recipe
This is a wonderful icing will make your sugar cookies perfect when decorating them.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Course: Cookies, Dessert, Royal Icing
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookie icing, cookies, decorating cookies, Dessert, royal icing
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 62kcal
Author: Janine Waite
Ingredients
- 3 ounces warm water
- 2½ tbsp merinque powder
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Using your mixer bowl add warm water and meringue together.
Whisk by hand until frothy.
Place mixing bowl on mixer, now add the powdered sugar all at once.
Attach the paddle to the mixer and mix the icing on the lowest speed for 10 minutes.
You are looking for a slightly runny frosting. If it is too thick, add small amounts of water to get the right consitency.
Place icing in bowls and add desired colors.
Cover extra icing with plastic wrap. I place the plastic straight onto the icing preventing air from drying it out.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servings | Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 16g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!
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BAKING SUPPLIES
Now that you made the icing and are ready to decorate your cookie, here are the steps:
Step 1: Place the Coupler and Tip on the Bag
Place the coupler and round tip (size #1-5) on the pastry bag and place in a tall glass. Take the ends of the bag and fold it down the sides of the glass.
Step 2 – Fill The Pastry Bag
Carefully fill your pastry bag with the icing.
Step 3 – Start Piping
Outline your cookie with a single line of icing.
Step 4 – Flood the Icing
By going back and forth with your icing, fill in lines of icing. Don’t worry if you have a few empty spots. Now take your cookie and hold it on the sides and jiggle it back and forth. This will spread the icing and create a smooth surface. I did shake one of my cookies too much and it seeped out of the outline. So, I took my finger and cleaned up the outline. 🙂
Step 5 – Write Your Valentine Sayings
Allow the icing to fully dry, this may take an hour or more. Once you have a hard surface, use your Food Writer Marker on your cookie.
I hope this project isn’t too overwhelming. Once you make these cookies you’ll be on your way to making pretty cookies for every holiday. It is the basic recipe that you’ll enjoy forever.
I’m super excited to share my friend’s
Gorgeous Valentine’s Day Cookies!
Finding Lovely | Lovely Frosted Sugar Cookies
These sweet scalloped cookies are decorated with delicate hearts for the perfect Valentine’s Day treat.
My 100 Year Old Home | Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies
These Valentine’s Day sugar cookies are so much fun to make. I love that everyone can learn how to decorate these cookies.
Modern Glam | Shortbread Cutout Cookies With Raspberry Glaze
Make these delicious heart-shaped shortbread cookies with raspberry glaze for your valentine!
I hope you enjoyed this Valentine Sugar Cookies post. I can’t wait to share tomorrow’s post, Ok, I’ll see you on Tuesday!
Happy Baking,
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Janine Waite
I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!
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