Tormented Kitchen

Sugar cookies. What is more traditional that a special cookie only made for a holiday? I really fell down on the job for making special goodies for Christmas, so my guilt has been egging me on to make sugar cookies for Valentine's Day. I know, not really a holiday where you get time off from work, but it was an excuse to make some cookies. I found a cute new heart shaped cookie cutter with a hot pink silicone edge-grippy-handle-type protrusion. I needed some new cookie cutters. And it was half price. I only bought that one, but I saw a cute set with different size hearts, some were ruffly, scalloped edged hearts, too. Too cute, but I was able to resist. Lately, my son has been asking to help in the kitchen more and more. I made the cookie dough one night, letting him help measure ingredients and turn on the mixer.  The dough rested in the fridge overnight, then he helped me roll it out. This particular recipe is tad on the dry side, so we had a few tears in the doug

If you want to make super cutesy decorated cookies, you have to make icing. I like that this is thin and easy to spread onto cookies. You could even use a piping bag to decorate your cookies. Ingredients 2 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup butter 2 Tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch salt food coloring, gel or drops Method 1. Combine sugar, butter, vanilla, and milk. Beat until fluffy. 2. Add additional milk to thin consistency or moisten if dry. 3. Frost cookies. Let them stand undisturbed so icing can harden. 4. If you are making different colors, divide white icing into bowls and tint each one separately. I like to use gel coloring and it only takes a tiny dab of coloring.  I use a toothpick to scoop out the coloring, then stir it in with a fork. 5. Store unused icing in the fridge. Beat again before using to refresh. (For my Sugar Cookie recipe, click here!)