Oh hi there, dearest reader! It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to my favorite cookie. I am so glad that you two can finally meet! You may have gotten a glimpse of each other over the holidays, but I am happy that we can take a few minutes to really sit down and have a chat.
The story begins many moons ago, when I was younger and could not participate in any of the holiday activities that are “shaken up and poured over ice” which meant that all I could really look forward to were my Aunt Carole’s Sugar Cookies.
These cookies are included in a small group of food memories that remain consistent year after year. I don’t know why fake grape flavor does not translate as an appealing taste when one enters into adulthood but rarely does your favorite childhood candy grow up with you. The good news of this phenomenon is that the pendulum swings in the other direction as well. Example: I used to hate beer.
For years I would just show up and eat these cookies but when I was asked to contribute my favorite holiday recipe to Saveur’s Cookie Advent Calendar, a loud booming voice came out of nowhere and shouted: HEY YOU! DON’T BE A SILLY! AUNT CAROLE’S COOKIES! Only then did I realize that I had never even considered an attempt to witness their creation.
And so I did – this summer while I was in Seattle – on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year, which meant temperatures rose into the triple digits, and everyone in Seattle was cranky because they didn’t know what to do without their fleece jackets and the drizzle.
We have science to thank for the fact that butter melts extremely easily when the ambient temperature is 115 degrees and the last thing either of us wanted to do was turn on the oven, but we pushed onwards and I quickly realized that I owe my aunt a whole lot of favors for her agreeing to the situation.
Because it was not a normal time of year to be making cookies, my aunt provided helpful commentary as to what I should expect from a more traditional cookie-making experience. Most of these statements began with “usually.” As in, “Usually…it is not as hot as the Devil’s tongue outside so I put my cookie sheets out on the deck to cool between batches…,” “Usually…this is the time when I realize that I haven’t wrapped any presents and your mom is calling to tell me that your family is headed over for Christmas dinner…,” “Usually…this is when I am on batch number six and about the time that I have a tiny holiday bourbon…,” “Usually…it is not this dang hot out…!”
The lesson here is that it doesn’t matter if it is sweltering in August or a frosty February afternoon that calls for a few dozen tiny hearts – this recipe is sugar cookie perfection.
But here is the deal: if you make these you must use margarine. I know. I was freaked out too when I found out that it was the sneaky ingredient in my beloved cookies. My aunt told me as nicely as possible that I could not substitute butter because it is what keeps the cookies soft and while I continued to whine, she busted out the Gold n’Soft. Also be sure to watch these cookies carefully and do not over bake them. The lemon extract and the almond extract are a bit of an investment but I promise they are worth it because the combo is what makes these cookies extra special. Another trick: my aunt frosts her cookies from a small bowl of frosting that has been heated in the microwave for 5 -7 seconds. Not only does the frosting go on extra smooth, as it hardens it creates a slightly crisp shell that is the perfect match for the soft cookie below.
And finally on to the real good stuff! You know that I have a lot of love for these cookies but I also have a lot of love you and I thought what better way to celebrate ALL THE LOVE (and Valentine’s Day) then with FREE STUFF THAT IS HEART SHAPED. [heart emoticon] [heart emoticon] [smiley face]
Happy Valentine’s Day y’all! The love-themed box includes:
- a Valentine’s Multipack from Tattly (or the most awesome temporary tattoos ever)
- twelve heart-shaped note cards (in blush pink!) + envelopes (for all your secret love note needs)
- an amazing selection of my new favorite chocolate from Videri Chocolate Factory (pink peppercorn chocolate anyone?)
- Meringue (which is a lovely cookbook dedicated to all things involving sugar and egg whites)
- The Best of Martha Stewart: Cakes and Cupcakes (this special issue is AMAZEBALLS. For serious.)
- one Best-Ever Cupcake Icing Kit™ + a HUGE selection of cupcake liners from Bake It Pretty (which is one of my favorite online destinations and will satisfy all your baking needs)
- your very own heart-shaped cookie cutter + tiny heart sprinkles (!!!!)
**All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on this post.**
Let me know if you are baking for Valentine’s Day. Or what you are doing to celebrate. Or what you wish you were doing.
You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook and say hi in the comments to enter the giveaway!
The comments will close on Friday, February 8th at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Good luck!
Soft Lemon Sugar Cookies with Almond Icing
Makes about 4 dozen
Adapted from my Aunt Carole via Saveur
For the lemon sugar cookies:
2 1/2 cups (312 grams) flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) butter, softened
1/2 cup (110 grams) soft margarine (my aunt uses Gold n’Soft)
1 1/2 cups (185 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
For the almond frosting:
5 tablespoons (70 grams) butter, very soft
2 tablespoons (30 ml) half and half or heavy cream, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups (220 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
Sprinkles and food coloring, for decorating
Make the dough: In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl use a hand mixer to beat together butter, margarine, and powdered sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Add egg, yolk, and both extracts and beat until smooth. Add dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Transfer the dough to a work surface and shape into two disks. Wrap each half in several layers of plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
When you are ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thick. Dip a 2-inch cookie cutter into flour and stamp out as many cookies as possible. Reroll the scraps as necessary. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes or until the edges are just barely golden. Do not over bake. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
Make the frosting and decorate the cookies: Combine butter, half and half (or cream), both extracts, and salt in a medium bowl, and beat until smooth, then add sugar and mix until smooth and spreadable. Generously spread each cookie with frosting and decorate with sprinkles.
To make the graduated colors: I first divided my cookies into four batches then frosted one quarter with plain white frosting. Then I dipped a toothpick into electric pink gel paste food coloring and added just the tiniest amount of pink (I am talking the smallest amount of color!) and frosted another quarter batch. Then – you get the idea – I added even a bit more color and frosted the third quarter. Finally, I added the MOST coloring and frosted the remaining cookies.
{ 207 comments }
I love those cookies! And your blog! And winning stuff!
I should add I am probably not baking for Valentines day ’cause I still have Christmas cookies in the freezer!
Good vday giveaway…great blog!
Thanks for sharing this cookie recipe (lemon cookies with almond frosting sound amazing – and like a cookie version of a Sugar Sweet Sunshine cupcake). Can’t wait to take your truffle class at Brooklyn Brainery next week!
I’m making my grandma’s fudge recipe, poured into heart-shaped cookie cutters. 🙂
I will definitely be baking something sweet and likely making dinner, too. (It’s definitely more special and cheaper than eating out!)
What a lovely giveaway. Would love to receive that love-themed box!
I am so excited to try this recipe! For valentines day I am going to be making a dinner of pasta puttanesca using my dad’s amazing recipe and these cookies! My valentine lives in a house full of dudes so I’ll be sure to make extra to share the love.
I am working on Valentine’s evening – not my call, but when you work with volunteers, you do what works for them! (I can’t believe they didn’t want to reschedule their meeting to stay at home with their loved ones!) Maybe I should bring them some of these cookies…
I’m going to be baking lots of sweet treats for my friends and family for Valentine’s Day this year!
I just saw that box of Tattly ‘toos this morning – so cute! I’m actually thinking about making a bacon lattice top for a quiche for my boyfriend – he has a bit of a bacon addiction, but still trying to figure out what to put in the quiche. Should be interesting!
I will be one of the masses going out to eat on Valentine’s Day. Additionally, I am sure some baked treat will make its way out of my kitchen!
love your blog
Margarine freaks me out too. But I would totally try it to make these amazing looking cookies with the awesome prize!
This cookies look great – remind me of my go-to recipe from an old cuisinart magazine which adds almond extract, not lemon, to the cutout dough. The flavors of lemon and almond look interesting together. I am planning on making cutout cookies and sending them long distance to my children in college!
This V-day, I’m baking lemon bars. Totally not at all traditional, but my SO loves tart treats.
Also, I follow you on my RSS feed and facebook, for what it’s worth.
I always love a good sugar cookie recipe! thanks!
I will be trying this recipe for sure! They sound amazing!! I will be sending valentines to my friends this year. Thank you for the recipe and the giveaway!
This Valentines Day I’ll be mailing lots of funny cards to my friends and delivering chocolates to my friends here at college. Maybe for a special someone I’ll bake these delicious pink treats!
Those look scrumptious….
These are adorable!
I think I will be baking,my two dudes already announced that they want to hand out cookies to their girlfriends…
SO ADORABLE my brain just exploded. One day, when I am awesome, I will make these cookies. Love them!
What a great gift box! No plans for V-day yet….maybe going to the gym since Lord knows I had too many cookies/cupcakes over the holidays 🙂
We will be finding out the gender of our baby on Feb 14 so I’m planning to do cookies in pink or blue afterwards. 🙂
I’m thinking blondies with vday m&ms in them. Or something else if I find a dessert that is tacky and fantastic.
these cookies look so tasty! Homemade meal and dessert, so much better that way…
I am finally back to school with all my baking supplies and cannot wait to get back into it. Valentines is the perfect opportunity! But as I am on a student budget, winning is always awesome.
These cookies look great! I’m working so no Valentine’s Day plans.
Where is the bourbon?
I’m baking a massive chocolate cake to drown my sorrows in being alone again this Valentines Day!
those look amazing! i am always trying to recreate cookie flavor memories from childhood. can’t wait to try them!
I’ve got 4 valentines this year (hubby and 3 kids) so I will definitely be making something! Was going to do cupcakes but when my daughter saw your picture above she told me to “buy those mommy!” … so I’ll probably be making these!! 🙂
I am excited to try this recipe!! For valentine’s day baking…I haven’t decided yet! But I was considering a chocolate mousse pie. To me there’s something about chocolate mousse that’s just sexy! Rich and creamy without being so heavy that getting romantic is the LAST thing you want to do.
i love the idea of colouring the frosting ! i thought that, if i have time, i’d bake some cakepops. but i have to bake two cakes for a snowcamp coming up the next day after valentine’s, so maybe it will be only that. would love to get that box ! 🙂
Greetings from Washington State. I made cut-out sugar cookies with two of our granddaughters (ages 4 and 2) this past weekend. We will be trying this recipe soon. Also, loved the “How to frost a layer cake” post. I am going to try and recreate the look of that beautiful cake for our eldest granddaughter’s 5th birthday.
I always bake my signature sugar cookies for Vday but you might have just swayed me to try your recipe this year!
These cookies are lovely! For Valentine’s Day my boo and I are reserving a spot at the Melting Pot!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I will definitely be baking and hanging out with my roommates 🙂
Awesome giveaway! How cool are those tattoos?!
So excited for Valentine’s Day! I’m making bons bons…still deciding what fillings to use. 🙂
I love to make things that remind me of childhood. Sugar cookies are certainly one of them. I will definitely try your aunt’s cookies. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the giveaway. I love cupcakes/cookies/cakes…way, way too much. 🙂
What a lovely cookie recipie! I am planing on
Making them with Nutella icing. I’m from Seattle
And it’s true. We don’t know what to do when the
Weather gets above 85 degrees. 😉
Lovely little treats– I will be celebrating finishing my master’s degree this Valentine’s Day (with lots of rosé and sweets)!
I will be celebrating valentine’s day by decorating sugar cookies!! These look fantastic!
Oh my lord – Meringue is only my favorite thing. I can only imagine the amount of egg whites that will take over my kitchen if I win the giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity!
Must admit, the idea of using margarine scares me as well, but seeing as I’m always looking for a way to recreate the soft sugar cookies of grade school holiday parties, I have to give these cookies a try! In true single girl fashion, planning on partaking in a few libations with friends on Valentine’s Day. These cookies might just have to make an appearance!
I’m baking an orange chocolate soufflé for my boyfriend this Valentines day! And I got him StarWars themed baking supplies from Williams and Sonoma for his gift!
I hadn’t decided what I was going to bake yet, but I’ve always loved frosted sugar cookies…..I can’t wait to try these. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
I was thinking of trying to duplicate Panera’s red velvet cookies…but better for Valentines day. Any ideas?
We have parent-teacher conferences every February, so I always bake a variety of valentine cookies (sugar, chocolate, biscotti) and deliver them to my boys’ (4 of them) teachers. I started this when I was still a stay-at-home-mom. Now that I’m teaching again, I pack myself a few to help the long days and nights of conferences along. I’ve already baked this years, but I’ve pinned yours for next year! What a nice addition your prize would be to my collections of all sweets for Valentine’s Day!
Sorry, I have tried twice on my iphone to enter this… please let this be my one chance that counts. I am so going to make these cookies for Valentine’s Day.. I love lemon and almond flavors. I will trust you that margarine is the way to go. Thanks!
I want to win this so I can surprise my students!!!!!
Well, now I’m baking THESE for valentine’s day! Yum!
We used to go out for fondue for valentine’s day, but now have been making our own since getting a fondue pot as a wedding present. Any chocolate boozy fondue ideas?!
cookies!!! i may have just found the cookie to bake!
I’m surprised by the lemon-almond combination on these cookies, but excited to give it a shot!!
What a great giveaway! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Amazing-sounding recipe! For Valentine’s Day, I’ll be waving bye-bye as DH leaves on a little trip. Oh well. 😉
I had a hankering for homemade pop tarts and your post just inspired me to make strawberry heart shaped pop tarts for a valentines breakfast treat
Looking forward to trying these for Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Love the family history behind your cookies!
WHOA! i’m having a party (ahem…) and there will most def be treats and punch…..(coughcheckyourfbinvitescough)
Those cookies are adorable! Can’t wait to try the recipe!
Those cookies are adorable. Can’t wait to try the receipt!
I wish my cookies turned out as symetrical and beautiful as yours.
Hey, love the cookies! Look fantastic 🙂
So cute! I’ll be making these with my boys 🙂
I am always on the lookout for great sugar cookie recipes! Definitely trying this one (especially with margarine!) And can I just say AWESOME giveaway! you rock!
Yum. Looks like these will be on the menu this weekend!
These cookies look so sweet! I’m working on an on-a-budget valentine’s dinner for me and my roommates (all single ladies this year haha) 🙂
my sweetie will be out of town so I will probably bake myself a pity batch of something or other, definitely chocolate.
karenreichmann@hotmail.com
This recipe looks great especially because I hate cookies that are too crunchy!
These cookies are beautiful! Can’t wait to make easter-themed ones when the time rolls around
Something heart shaped for sure…maybe brownies…maybe these cookies???
since my birthday is feb. 16th i will b hoping someone bakes ME these cookies! if not, i will probably bake them for my firemen for st. patty’s day…
Happy Valentine’s 😉
Such a fabulous giveaway! These cookies look stunning.
Unfortunatly I wll be 2.5 hours away from my valentine but shall be making him some pink truffles 🙂
In Japan Valentine’s Day is ‘traditionally’ (as in since capitalism created tradition) a day when girls and women give chocolate to the men in their life – be that man their father, co-worker, or lover. Men who receive chocolates have to return something to the person they got it from a month later, on March 14. This tradition seems to be changing though, and now pretty much everyone gives chocolates to each other on Valentine’s Day. I probably won’t be baking anything on this day… all this has nothing to do with the above (gee I feel like I went into a long story for nothing).
I can’t wait to try these cookies! I have four cookie eating kids and I’m thrilled to try these out on them.
These cookies are so cute! Love the ombre set up.
Great cookies!
As for me….. even though it’s Valentines day and everywhere you turn you see lovey dovey couples I will celebrate it with my good old self! 🙂
Have a great Valentines day everyone!!!!
looove the cookies. i think i’ll give them a try altough i don’t think i can make cookies as pretty as yours!
happy valentine’s day from vienna, austria!
Cooking a nice little meal for my husband and myself… and eating a lot of chocolate!
I wish I had a date, but I am not going to be “that girl” who complains about being alone on Valentine’s Day. haha
I’m baking red velvet cupcakes to send to my boyfriend (he just moved 1,000 miles away!)
Frosted sugar cookies are a family tradition in my household as well. In addition to making heart shaped morsels of deliciousness, my husband is taking me out to breakfast before we both head off to work on Valentine’s Day morning, a tradition we started back when I was traveling a lot for work and the morning was the only time we were together. I’m so happy we’ve continued it!
love the saturation change in the frosting…and love this blog!
Bonjour from Bakers at Red Lion. Kennett Square, PA – spread the love! Merci!
As long as I am with my husband on Valentines Day, I will be a happy girl. These cookies look like they would fulfill some major pregnancy cravings right now!
These look so yummy and inviting. They will be enjoyed by my daughter’s 5th grade class next week. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love these cookies! 🙂 We’ll probably carry on a tradition started last year of a Valentine’s Day lunch (less crowded, fewer awkward dates to witness), and then make some chocolate fondue at home with tons of fruit. Chocolate for dinner is the best!
once upon a time I wanted to be a pastry chef- i went to art school instead. Your blog is a lovely combination of art and food; visually and tastily appealing. Hearts and sentiments to you on valentine’s day!
im totally making these beauts for my <3
I’ll definitely be baking! I’ve already tested a white chocolate mousse and some Frangelico truffles for our blog, but for the day itself I almost always go for a super simple flourless chocolate cake. These cookies look really fabulous, though. I may have to make some and give them away for V-day!
Cheesecake with raspberry sauce to celebrate my husband’s birthday on Valentine’s Day, but made one week early because of Lent!
I’m fantasizing about making a pavlova with grapefruit curd for my valentine. And now I’m drooling at my desk admiring those frosted cookies. Is there anything better than sweet treats in pink?
I think I’m going to be throwing a giant dinner party for all my friends. It’s Valentine’s and cooking is the best way to show love!
With Mardi Gras only a few days before Valentine’s Day (and my love for King Cakes…), I am going to bake a King Cake, minus the plastic baby or bean, and decorate it with red and pink frosting. Maybe I will add some little fondant hearts for good measure. My boyfriend loves cinnamon rolls so I am sure that he will be a big fan of the cake.
I LOVE sugar cookies but not so sure on the lemon extract (NOT a big lemon fan). Guess I’ll have to try them out to give a real opinion.
I seldom make roll out cookies because I don’t think they will be as good as my grandmother’s….this may change my mind.
I really want to make decorated milk chocolate truffles for Valentine’s Day this year!
My son will be at outdoor ed with his 5th grade class next week. He gets back on Valentine’s Day. I think these cookies will be the perfect treat/surprise for him on his return! Thanks for the recipe!
These look AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to bake some. Thanks for sharing a great Family recipe. Winning the goodies would be GREAT!!
I’ve been looking for a good cookie recipe to use the makers mark vanilla extract I received as a holiday gift from my dear friend. Looks like I’ll be making these for <3 Day!
Those cookies are so pretty! I might make truffles for Valentine’s day this year, but I haven’t decided for sure yet. Guess I should decide soon!
These look wonderful! I will definitely be making them for V-Day to add some more sweetness to the Day!
LOVE these cookies and the story! I also love the comments about Seattle summers…
I’ll be baking biscuits or scones for valentines day breakfast!!
I will be baking something with alot of chocolate!
I will definitely be making this cookies with my son for Valentine’s Day!
Heart shaped chocolate fondants for sure x
can’t wait to bake these beauties! love the blog!
Hey girl! I’m baking for valentines now! Thanks for more inspiration, you and your foods are seriously great.
This year, in honor of being single, I decided to go slightly overboard (compared to usual) and will be showering love on my lovely friends and trying to inspire a theme of Love yourself/Love starts at home and/or follow your Heart. Probably some small homemade cards maybe doubling as bookmarks? and, of course, some delicious and beautifully hue’d little heart shaped sugar cookies;)) Thanks girl you are amazing.
Sugar cookies with icing is one of my all-time favorite cookies! Your cookies are beautiful. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
The lemon/almond combination sounds fabulous. The cookie recipe reminds me of our family’s favourite birthday cake. It is a chocolate bundt pound cake, and for some reason you have to use margarine in it. Butter just isn’t as good. I couldn’t believe it till I tried it the first time, but it’s true. Also, the chocolate icing that goes on it has almond flavouring in it, just like your cookies. Happy Valentines Day!
Those look delish! I will definatley be making these soon! Happy Valentines Day! (:
ombre cookies! so hip right now.
The meringue cookbook looks wonderful!
These look absolutely incredible. My favorite cookies that my mom makes are sugar cookies with almond icing, but this lemon flavor in the cookie sounds like an excellent variation!
Now wait a minute, Lil. I know you would never want to be accused of exaggeration, but 115 degrees in Seattle!!! I must have been out of town that day:) On the other hand, I do remember hearing you and Carole’s laughter piercing the veil of smog on a particularly hot day last summer.
These sound truly wonderful. I love almond extract for the intense flavour it gives to my stand-by 1-2-3-4 cake. We won’t be baking these on the 14th though, because we’re spending the day at SAM to see the Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Gainsborough exhibit. And we’re off sugar and flour for awhile now. But the day will come when we won’t be, and when it does I’ll bake them and let you know how they turn out.
I too have a favorite childhood Valentine’s Day cookie recipe. My mom would only make them for Valentine’s Day and made them extra special by creating one for each of us with our name written in frosting. I still love those cookies and look forward to making them this weekend.
These cookies look soooooo good! I am definitely making cupcakes for my son and his little buddies at daycare. I might have to bake these, too!
i’ll be baking up some v-day whoopie pies! chili chocolate, strawberry champagne, and honey almond raspberry! all foods of looooove.
I will definitely make these cookies. Actually, I’m planning a Valentine’s menu with recipes from your blog. You’re great!
Your cookies look lovely. I’ve never tried pairing lemon with almond before. I’d like to give it a go and see what the outcome tastes like.
Great blog!
These look incredible! They are so pretty. I think I’m going to see the zombie love movie with all my single friends…. =)
These cookies look great and I want everything in the giveaway box!! I’m making brownies and blondies for Valentine’s Day and I plan to use a cookie cutter to make them into little hearts. xo
Happy early valentines! 🙂 <3
Those cookies are so adorable!
I have to admit that the margarine is a turn off, but I am willing to try these pretty little things.
delicious
These cookies sound amazing! As a Seattlelite, I loved the story around cooking these in triple digit heat. One of those rare days but utterly stifling for those of us do not know what to do in heat like that. You aunt must adore you to agree to make cookies in that weather. :). Thanks for the opportunity to win the chocolate goodies!
These cookies are so pretty. I really like your post — no need to wait for February to spread a little love, even by baking and sharing pink and red heart shaped cookies! Thank you for sharing a wonderful blog!
Heart cookies are my favorite- and the pink ones always taste the best! I use 1/2 butter and 1/2 “fancy” (read: non-hydrogenated) shortening instead of margarine. Love the photos.
If I wasn’t working a 12.5 hour day on V-day I would be baking sugar cookies (I’d give these a go!) with some beet-colored frosting. I would use my inherited selection of cookie cutters to make some fun shapes, other than hearts of course.
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!
want.
I plan to make my spouse’s favorite foods: Chicken and rice (not sure yet exactly how I’ll prepare it), with carrot cake for dessert. Not traditional V-day fare, but he deserves his favorites.
The cookies look absolutely lovely! Dying for a sugar cookie right about now 🙂
Those cookies look scrummy! I am going to have my friends and their daughters over for a sweetheart dinner. For dessert I am going to make pink love heart meringues.
We’re probably going out to a fancy restaurant. Not sure where yet!
looks yummy
What cheerful cookies! I’ll be baking heart-shaped Rice Krispies treats for my kindergartners for Valentine’s Day 🙂
Mmmmmm….
I’m baking these for Valentine’s Day!! Love lemon and love almond…can’t wait to try these!
Can’t wait to try ’em! Baking for my daughter’s first grade Valentines day party!
I’m making these tomorrow! Mike’s having surgery and I’m sure he’ll love cookies when he wakes up 😀 PS Hummus was a hit!
I will be making Chocolate cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream! Yum!
I’m going to be making Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentines Day this year, to take into work for my collegues! They just love it when I bring in sweet treats 🙂
I’ll definitely be making a cake! 🙂
Your photographs are absolutely beautiful! Love them!
Enjoy your blog.
I plan on baking bibingka which is a Filipino dessert made from rice flour and coconut made with red-colored sugar to give it that Valentines Day tint!
I will be working Valentine’s Day (boo-hoo) but I sure do love me a good sugar cookie. And these sound divine.
We are doing nothing!! I told my bf that he makes every day Valentine’s Day (true!) and I do not need a gift or a special day. Then we both gagged, but honestly, this is all true.
These cookies are too cute. I love this blog, it always inspires me to bake and cook. You are doing a fabulous job. For Valentines day I am making red and pink checkerboard cookies. I will be back to share with you. I would love your feedback.
These cookies look great! Would love to make these to have with tea:)
I will be making sugar cookies for my daughter to hand out on Valentine’s Day.
My girls will absolutely love these! And the adults will appreciate a sugar cookie with a bit of flavor.
I am going on a date with a good girlfriend of mine.
But i really wish i was spending the day with my boyfriend, he lives in New York, and I live in Copenhagen, Denmark. At least we have Skype!
good looking blog you have:)
These cookies look adorable and I will be baking
them for my Sunday school class this weekend. I generally
use Martha’s sugar cookie recipe and decorate with sanding sugar
but kids do love frosting so your aunt’s cookies should
be a huge hit. I recently found your blog and I’m loving
it. Happy Valentines Day !!!!
Ooh I love the different colors of pink! Not sure what I’m making this year for Valentine’s, but maybe I’ll have my other single friends over and we’ll make Smitten Kitchen’s heart brownies from a couple years ago.
My sweetie loves sugar cookies and these will be perfect for his Valentine gift.
I just love your site, it speaks to me…I guess since I was born in Brooklyn so many years ago and have gone to so many places since. I have to say that anything lemon works wonders for me. I don’t have any heart shaped cookie cutters but would love some 🙂
I have only recently discovered sugar cookies and I love them. Your recipe looks really interesting with the vanilla, lemon and almond extracts. I look forward to trying this one next. Thank you!
Making these cookies and sharing with family and friends !!!!
Every year after the last Christmas cookie has been rolled, cut, baked, frosted and sprinkled, I tuck one well-wrapped patty of cookie dough into the freezer to pull out for Valentine’s Day. Though I never mentioned this to you Lillie, deep in the genetic cookie-baking code of your family DNA, you knew this recipe would make the perfect Valentine! Love the posting, and contest idea… and you!! XXOO
Those are such beautiful sugar cookies! I’m going to try and bake these for Valentine’s Day!
My husband refers to the holiday as “Forced Affection Day.” Maybe I shall “force” some of these on him!
How cool is Aunt Carole–reminds me how importants aunts are…..Aunt Ann I’m talking to you…..
I am a Graduate Student who would much rather bake these amazing cookies than read Foucault!
I live in Denmark where we don’t really celebrate valentines, but here we have another holiday coming up called “fastelavn” where kids dress up in costumes, and you eat theese really nice cakes called “fastelavns-buns” 🙂
What Anna said! (I’m her classmate)
Jessica and I are classmates, if one of us wins we will share! Share the joy!
I would love to win that giveaway 🙂 I am baking cupcakes.
I’m constantly looking for a better sugar cookie recipe. I’m going to make a batch for Valentine’s. Thanks for sharing!
What a good give-away! My sister and I are going to make these cookies this weekend when I visit her in Asheville, NC!
Unfortunately, my hubby will be working late, so if we do any celebrating, it will probably have to wait for the weekend. At least I’ll make up a good meal to share, even if it is by candle light!
Thanks for the giveaway!
They look so good!!! Can’t wait to try them
I’m not sure if I’m baking anything around Valentine’s Day. I like to celebrate our relationship with my boyfriend year round so I don’t know if we’re going to do anything particular on V-day. If I do make something, it will probably be breakfast! I should also mention that we’re going to celebrate our one year soon! Thanks for the giveaway!
So glad I found this post in time for Vday! I was planning on sending a little “love-package” to my boyfriend (he lives in another city) and cookies would be perfect for that! Thanks for the recipe!
Can’t decide which to make first! These cookies or Brown Butter layer cake!
Such a great giveaway! can’t wait 🙂
I love making heart-shaped linzer cookies with homemade raspberry jam for valentine’s day. but I’m intrigued by these and may try them instead this year. I’m especially enticed by the fun frosting. (and wow would I love the meringue cookbook and everything else in that package of happy baking goodness!)
I am totally making these cookies for Valentines Day, But maybe i’ll surprise my honey with a totally delicious lemon meringue pie 🙂 (My parents have a lemon tree and the lemons are just about ready to pick and they are HUGE!!!!) xoxo
Wow! Love the different shades of frosting!
I’m planning on baking a flourless chocolate cake!!
I’ve always enjoyed a good sugar cookie with a smudge of frosting. I eat the edges all around and then go for the frosting on the last bite. Delayed gratification builds character!
I’m planning to experiment in the kitchen. 🙂
They’re so cute! I’m sure anyone would appreciate these 🙂
Margarine? Good grief, who would have known? Have to try these!
Those cookies look delicious!! I was going to make champagne truffles and I may have to make these as well! 🙂
Those cookies look delicious! I think they’ll have to be added to my Valentine’s baking list.
I’m making cut-out sugar cookies with my 7-year old; wish I was spending Valentine’s Day in Paris with my husband and son! It’s where I was last year…c’est la vie!
would love to fly back to NYC and spend valentine’s day sitting on the top of the rock, looking at NYC by night with a huge hot chocolate in my hands, feeling this atmosphere i miss so and the wind in my hair that makes us feel alive and in love!
Umm for Valentines Day I think I’m spending it inside with my friends 😛 and we’re all watching romantic comedies all day and ignoring homework and having a super fantastic time hehe yay 😀
Following tradition (it’s also our anniversary), husband and I are making a fondue dinner. This year the chocolate course is going to be caramelized white chocolate.
Hello! I’ve been lingering around your site for a while now and think it’s delightful.
As for Valentine’s Day, I’m pretty sure my bf and I are going to see the new Die Hard movie (after all, what says romance like Bruce Willis kicking ass??).
I also wanted to make a homemade version of those Lofthouse frosted cake cookies you can buy at the grocery store because he loves them so (and got me hooked, just one more reason he’s great) – do you know the ones I’m talking about? And then, behold! Here are your lovely Aunt’s cookies which are exactly the ones I was looking for. Hooray!
Thanks a lot for your excellent blog. I hope your Valentine’s Day is awesome 🙂
PS Since these cookies are the only great things I can think of that use margarine I’ll probably *have* to make them for St. Patty’s, too!
I so love those cookies! Maybe I’ll make some for dinner on Sunday!
This is just the ticket for my class of fourth graders. I am looking forward to their uber-decorated shoe boxes and how good I’ll feel slipping a couple of these in the slot on the top. Party on Thursday afternoon! Baking on Wednesday night!
Love to make cut out cookies. Can not wait to try these.
I’m making three dozen cupcakes Wednesday night for my school Valentine’s Day Bake sale. Wish I could be making these cookies too.
I will be making heart sugar cookies for the teachers.
I will make a special dinner for the kids, not sure yet what the menu is, but something fun and red.
What an awesome giveaway. I’m obsessed with Valentine’s Day baking. (:
I’ll be baking cupcakes for Valentine’s Day. Thank you for this awesome giveaway! 😀
I am making these for my kids Girl Scout parties Monday. I may even save a few for my coworkers.
Yes, I was also disappointed to finally learn that the secret to soft sugar cookies was hydrogenated fat — either margarine or shortening. Ratsafrats fratsarats! However, I have a question… when you say “soft margarine”, do you mean the tub kind? (I’ve never seen Gold’n Soft.) As opposed to the stick kind?
Oh, P.S. — I think I’m going to use my new wood grain texture mat and make wooden hearts for V Day. Suits my attitude. 😀