In Australia Valentine’s Day is just a minor blip on the calendar, not the huger than huge occasion it is in the US. Nonetheless it gives me a perfect excuse to dust off my heart-shaped cutters and to create something sweet.
Having said that, I sent the container full of cookies, or bickies as we call them in the antipodes, to school with Miss7 to share with her class. Fear not, I saved the biggest, most special ones for the Hungry Dad and Misses 7 and 9. Awww
This recipe, courtesy of the amazing Nigella Lawson, is a real keeper. Please use it widely, not just for special occasions. It is easy and fabulous and a winner, just like the lady herself.
GATHER:
85 grams butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
LET’S GET TO IT:
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and baking powder then set aside.
In bowl of electric mixer with beater attachment cream sugar and butter until creamy and pale.
Scrape down sides with spatula then beat in egg and vanilla.
When combined add the flour and beat until well combined.
Form dough into a disc, then wrap in cling wrap and place in fridge for at least half an hour.
Preheat oven to 180C and line two trays with non=-stick baking paper.
Remove from fridge and place dough between two sheets of non-stick baking paper, then roll out until about 2cm thick.
Dip the cutter briefly into a bit of flour before cutting out hearts. Gently re-roll scraps until all the dough is sued.
Carefully place on baking tray then bake for 8 or so minutes – the bigger the cutter the longer they will take to bake.
Remove from oven, allow to sit for five minutes then place ion cooling rack until completely cold.
Before decorating place a piece of newspaper on bench to collect any drips, then make up icing:
icing:
Sift 150grams icing sugar then whizz in food processor with one egg white until combined. Scrape into bowl, add a few drops of pink food colouring, stir well, then place in zip lock bag. Snip off edge then pipe heart or other pattern onto cookies. Allow to set before eating.
the hungry mum 
Valentine’s Day? Huh? Well, a card is given (on my part at least) and a nice home cooked meal consumed. No excuse needed for these wee cutie pie bikkies! If only someone would do the piping for me??,
yeah, it is a complete waste of time as far as I am concerned. #meh But a home-made meal – now that I can get on board with 😉
These look so lovely! Very cute 🙂
Ta – I love a heart-shaped bickie.
It does go over the top. We usually celebrate the week before or after with a lovely meal out and some cards. If we think of it we trade flowers a couple of weeks before or after when the price settles down again! These cookies look delicious.
I agree – I refuse to be ripped off and will go out of my way to grab a bargain. I will be buying myself flowers on Monday 🙂
Lovely cookies!
awwww, ta! i heart my heart shaped cutter 😉
Just look at those amazing cookies. I LOVE this recipe
Awww, ta! Hope you have a fab week.
These look so cute 🙂
thanks! A little bit of pink makes the world a happier place 🙂
Thank u 🙂
they look very fancy. Have they improved your love life?
You can’t improve upon perfection.
I was tempted to dust off my love heart cutters too! Agree re the difference between VDay in US and Aus, still… any excuse to make a themed treat!
am sorta glad it is a low key thing here – am expecting a handmade card from Miss7 with Valentine misspelt and that’s all I want 🙂
that does look like the perfect sugar cookie recipe. Thanks for the Valentine’s inspiration 🙂 Am betting my husband and kiddos would appreciate a batch.
Oh these are gorgeous! I had been planning on baking some Valentines cookies for The Big J but haven’t as yet. So pretty ❤
awww, ta – and thanks for the twitter love 🙂
Very pretty cookies! 😀
Thanks – and easy too 🙂
Wow – they look yummy.
Lovely recipe – I bet these won’t last long!
You’re correct – these vanished in the blink of an eye 🙂
Lovely cookies with a lovely drizzled pink icing! Yum yum yum!!!
Cheers Sophie – hope your weekend is/was lovely 🙂
Reblogged this on the hungry mum and commented:
Love is in the air…