It feels as though I've gone MIA this last week! I have so much to tell you and so little time (more to come later!). My hubby and I were gone the week before the V-day, so I missed all the Valentine preparation, hoopla, and parties at school. And can you believe? Due to unforeseen circumstances, we still haven't had our Sweetheart Dinner yet! I feel better knowing that my sister who inspired this tradition didn't get to it before Valentine's Day either. I figure I've got a few more days in the month of love, and why not share the love anytime throughout the year... Right?
But I did find that post-Valentine Day celebrations have their perks. I found treats and boxes of chocolates to place at each plate for 50% off. And...did any of you see Michelle's cute mailbox idea for sharing the love over at A Little Tipsy?
Well, I stumbled onto these cuties at Wal-Mart, and couldn't resist buying one for half price. It's such a sweet tradition to leave little love notes for the family in the mailbox, and I figured that I could use it next year, or pull it out sometime when the family is needing a little extra lovin'.
So I made my favorite ever sugar cookies the day after Valentine's Day, inspired in part by my sister's blunder with a new sugar cookie recipe, and in part because I happened to be craving them. Growing up, the sugar cookies we had were typically crumbly and dry, and my mother added nutmeg (nutmeg?)to the dough, which I never liked much. So when my niece gave me this new recipe, I fell in love immediately. And when my Blondie saw the heart-shaped cookies, she proclaimed with a grin and a twinkle in her eye, "Mom, Valentine's Day was so yesterday!" I had to agree, but who can resist sugar cookies any day of the year?
I think I gained 5 pounds in the two days these cookies lasted in our house (which is why I can only make them like twice a year). They are soft and tasty, and super easy to make, but the real hero of the recipe is the cream cheese frosting.
Shelli's Favorite Sugar Cookies:
Cream the following:
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. softened butter (room temperature)
1 c. sour cream
Add:
6 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Roll out, cut, and bake @400° for 5-6 minutes.
Now, two things: Typically, the dough does not need to be refrigerated, but if it feels too sticky, just pop it in the fridge for 1/2 hour or so to firm it up a little. Also, you can see that the baking time is quite short. You may have to experiment with this a bit. My oven requires about 7-8 minutes baking time, and you have to find just the right amount of time so that the cookies remain soft, but not gooey. (Just be prepared for a tiny bit of experimentation to get them how you love them!)
Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter (softened)
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of milk
Mmmmm. I may need to make another batch for St. Patrick's Day! Let me know how yours turn out!
