VALENTINES DAY SUGAR COOKIE CUTOUTS

I have a tried and true sugar cookie cutout recipe that I use most holidays.  Christmas, Halloween, Valentines, and Easter are the biggies.  I like to think that I have made a name for myself in the school during these time because without fail I come bearing cookies.  My second son is now in Kindergarten and they have a cooking club.  YAY!  So I have been making dough for almost every holiday.  I love to see how the kids decorate these beauties.

Mission: Kindergarten to prepare 150 cookies for the school dance.

Solution:  12 kindergartners prepared and decorated about 150 cookies successfully for the dance and each one was consumed with love.

         

      I pre-made 4 times the amount of sugar cookie dough.  I baked a few dozen for the kids ahead of time to decorate while they were waiting for theirs to bake.

*I also prepared gluten free/dairy free versions to accommodate some children with allergies.

Sugar cookie cutout recipe

1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup vegetable shortening

1 egg

1 cup granulated sugar

2 cups all-purpose flout

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking powder

Dash salt

Oven 375 degrees

Cream together butter and shortening.  Add egg and vanilla and continue to mix. Add milk. Add flour, baking powder, salt and gentle mix together until thoroughly combined.

Cover and refrigerate for about 6 hours or overnight.

On a lightly floured surface roll out half the dough at a time to about 1/8 inch thickness.  Cut into shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes depending on your taste.  Cool cookies on a paper towel or rack.  Frost with Powdered Sugar icing and sprinkle decorative sugars and candies.

POWERED SUGAR FROSTING
4 Cups confectioners sugar
Dash of salt
2-5 tablespoons milk (or dairy free nut/free milk)
Note: add milk 1 tablespoon at time until desired consistency is reached
1 teaspoon vanilla

By hand or in a mixer blend together the ingredients until you reach the desired consistency for spreading on cookies.  Add sprinkles immediately after spreading on cookie or the frosting will set.

Gluten Free/Dairy Free 
Sugar cookie cutout recipe

1/3 cup vegan baking sticks

1/3 cup vegetable shortening

1 egg

1 cup granulated sugar

*2 cups all-purpose Gluten Free flour (or whatever type of flour you prefer.  I have used many types and they still turn out delicious)

1   tablespoon soy, coconut, or rice Milk (almond milk works, but not nut free)

1teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking powder

Dash salt

Same baking instructions as above.  Note, the recipe may require more flour based on the variety you choose.  I usually need to add at least a half a cup to a cup more flour.  You want a nice firm dough that doesn’t stick to your hands.  Chill overnight.

Powered Sugar icing can be made the same way using soy, coconut, rice or almond Milk