Happy Valentines Day!

 These are Calder's valentines this year. It is a cellophane bag holding two cookies with a header that says "Be Mine". I love it! We only made ten of them and gave them to his friends at church. They were a big hit. He helped make the cookies and helped staple the paper to the bags. I love how they turned out.

 The header is from my friend Katherine. She is a fabulously talented graphic designer and makes all sorts of adorable things. She did a series of Valentines this year on her blog. Check them out and save them for next year. You'll love them!

Here is Calder all ready to give his Valentines to his friends and teachers. It was so sweet to see him give one to each of his buddies.

Here's the recipe for my sugar cookies and the buttercream frosting. The cookies are soft and chewy and the frosting is a little sweet and a little salty. This is my favorite cookie!

Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
5 cups flour (I've started using white whole wheat flour from Trader Joe's. I used them for these and you can't tell it is whole wheat)
4 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Blend butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add milk as you add flour, then remaining ingredients. Roll out 1/2 inch thick. Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes.  These cookies will not brown.  I like to make mine into balls and then squish them flat on top.

Buttercream Frosting

 

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening

2 tablespoons soft unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound strained confectioners' sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, cream together shortening and butter on medium-low speed until completely blended.  Stir the salt into the confectioners' sugar.  Add the sugar alternately with the milk to the shortening / butter mixture.  Starting with the sugar add four parts sugar to four parts milk.  Mix together until smooth, but do not overmix.  Blend in the vanilla.