Linzer Heart Cookies

Well it is Valentine's Day pretty soon. And my daughter's class was having a party so I of course had to make something festive and lovely right? Apparently, these are also known as my "kiss up to the teacher" cookies - according to several other moms. And in a heart shape who can resist?  

Very easy and pretty quick. Can also make the dough a day ahead and just let it come to room temperature before trying to roll it out. I got the cookie cutter from Michaels http://www.michaels.com/Wilton%C2%AE-Heart-Linzer-Cutter/bk0586,default,pd.html?cgid=products&start=1  Was inexpensive (4.00 ! with huge pay off!)  And it has a very nifty little device for the heart cut out.

Try this. Everyone will love.



YOU WILL NEED:

3 sticks of butter - SOFTENED (dont worry - there are a lot of cookies)

1 cup sugar

1 egg (at room temperature)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups flour

dash of salt

your favorite jam or chocolate filling

confectioners sugar for dusting (traditional but optional)



TO DO:

oven to 350

In a small bowl lightly beat the egg with the vanilla - set aside. In an elextric mixer - mix together the butter and sugar until combined - add the vanilla egg mixture just till combined (stop a couple of times to scrape the sides of your bowl) Add a dash of salt - then turn the mixer down low and slowly add the flour in. Mix until the dough comes together - there will be pieces in the bottom that look like they are not getting mixed in - this is okay - you will mix them in by hand in a moment. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and get all the little loose pieces mixed in. Shape into 2 flat disks - wrap in saran and refrigerate for about a half hour. 

If you forget about the dough (like I did) Just let it sit on the counter for a little bit until it comes to room temperature. Trying to roll it out while it is cold will be tough (which I also did) Wait a few minutes.

Dust your workspace with flour again before rolling out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out your shapes with the cute little cutters you just purchased! Place the cookies on a tray lined with parchment paper. Including the little baby pieces. They are yummy!



Bake for about 12 minutes depending on your oven personality. Just until the edges begin to brown. Let cool completely then layer the bottom cookies only - on the FLAT side - with your favorite filling. I did some with Nutella and some with strawberry jam (figured the strawberry would be a universal favorite with the kids) You can dust the tops with confectioners sugar if desired (traditionally done)  - but I decided there was enough sugar already and what 24 kindergartners didn't know wasn't going to hurt them! They wouldn't miss it.



IF you are taking these to a kindergarten Valentine's Day party you might want to wrap them in wax paper - 2 per package - seal the edges with some double stick tape - and deliver. All the parents will thank you for it (I'm not actually sure if any of the kids got a cookie! I think all the parents might have eaten them all)