Opinion
Delicious Valentine’s Day cookies rekindle childhood memories
February 10, 2012
We all remember making those little white bags decorated with red, pink and way too much glitter. They’d line the shelf in our elementary classes throughout the week leading up to Valentine’s Day waiting to be filled. Meanwhile we’d put plenty of time and thought into what Valentine kits to buy for our classmates. It was always fun to go to the store and pick out your favorite character, trying to find the perfect one, whether it be Disney princesses, Sponge Bob, Scooby-Doo, or cute puppies and kittens.
Carefully following along the class list you’d write everyone’s names, sealing them with those little red heart stickers. Each morning and afternoon you’d casually walk by, peeking inside to see if any new Valentines caught your eye. The anticipation growing each day and the thrill of finally opening your bag to unveil all the corny little sayings, Valentine’s treats, stickers and tattoos, all of them addressed in squiggly elementary handwriting just for you.
It’s no surprise that Valentine’s Day is “the second-most popular cardsending occasion in the U.S.” according to the Greeting Card Association. The History Channel puts the number at “an estimated one billion Valentine’s Day cards sent each year.”
Valentine’s Day is a day to express your feelings by a romantic evening for two, or a night of fun with your closest friends. Revert back to simple elementary school days and make little mailboxes with friends, filling them with little candies and notes throughout the week. Greeting cards and the boxed Valentine kits can be found at almost any grocery store, including the dollar store, or you could even make your own. Use a template from a craft site or get creative with some cardstock, ribbon, and stickers. It’s a sure way to give your friends a little boost of self-confidence and take some stress off.
So make the day extra special and plan a Valentine’s Day party with friends. Pass out those last few Valentines, pick up a movie and pizza, pop some popcorn, and don’t forget to make something sweet for your super sweet valentines!
Pink Sugared Heart Cookies
2 c. flour
3/4 c. unsalted sweet butter (chilled, diced)
2/3 c. sugar
1 egg yolk
Decoration:
1/4 granulated sugar
Red food coloring
2 c. icing (powdered sugar,
2-3 Tbs. vanilla extract)
1. Put the flour and butter into a food processor, and mix until they look like bread crumbs. Add the sugar, egg yolk and mix until it starts to form a ball. (This may take a while, but it will form.) 2. Divide the batter into two balls, wrap with clear plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F, grease 2 baking sheets.
4. Roll out the chilled dough onto a floured surface (or onto wax paper taped to the counter for easier cleanup) to desired thickness. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut-out the cookies.
5. Place the hearts on the cookie sheets and bake for 10 min (they stay very light colored).
6. In a small dish with the sugar in it, place a few drops of red food coloring and use the back of a spoon to mix it around. The sugar should turn pink. Next prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar with a few Tbs. of vanilla extract. You don’t want it super thick, but thick enough so it doesn’t drip all over the place.
7. Ice the cookies then dip the edges into the pink sugar and place on a plate to dry.
Brittney Pfenning-Wendt is a columnist for the Student Voice.