HEART-SHAPED SUGAR COOKIES

I tested another sugar cookie recipe along with this one, but this one made the cut.  Let explain why!  This recipe made the cookies more like a cake.  They're light, fluffy, and melts in your mouth!  I took them to my job as a early Valentine's gift. That basket was empty by the time I left, and I had request for more cookies and other desserts.  So while that other recipe was good this one is amazing! It's definitely going in my recipe box, and once you try these it will be in yours too!!

COOKIES:
1/2 cup-shortening
1 stick butter(softened)
1 cup-sugar
2 egg
1 tsp-vanilla extract
3 cups-flour
2 tsp-cream of tartar
1 tsp-baking soda
1/4 tsp-salt
3 TBSP-heavy cream(whipped)
12 drops of pink food coloring or 2 drops of red food coloring
12 drops red food coloring

ICING:
4 egg whites
4 cups-powdered sugar
1 tsp-cream of tartar
12 drops food coloring(You may add more)
12 drops of pink food coloring or 2 drops of red food coloring
Pink and Red colored sugar

You'll need some heart-shaped cookie cutters and 2 cookie sheets greased with nonstick cooking spray

Don't let the ingredients scare you this is so simple!


Cookies First...

1. In a bowl, beat sugar, shortening, and butter on medium speed for 2 minutes.
2. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
3. Beat at same speed until combined.
4. In another bowl, sift flour, cream of tartar, salt, and baking soda.
5. Blend into shortening mixture with cream.



Add Some Color....

6. Divide dough into 2 bowls equally.
7. Add pink food coloring to one bowl and red to the other.
8. Work color into each one until completely colored. ( You will need to wear plastic gloves)
9. Wrap in plastic wrap and refridgerate both doughs for 2 hours.


Roll It Out and Bake....

1. Roll out each dough 1/8 inch thick on a flour-dusted surface.
2. Cut each dough with cookie cutters.
3. Place hearts 1 inch apart on baking sheet



4. Bake 6-8 minutes cool completely( Do Not Over Bake)



Icing.....

1. Beat powdered sugar, cream of tartar, and egg whites on low speed for 2 minutes.
2.  Then again on high speed for 3 minutes.
3. Divide icing equally.
4. Color half red and the other half pink.
Time To Decorate......

Pink Cookies:
1. Spread with red icing.
2. Sprinkle with red colored sugar.

Red Cookies:
1. Spread with pink icing
2. Spinkle with pink colored sugar

Let colors dry completely!


TIPS:
*These cookies taste even better when the whole family helps.  I don't know why they just do, so put the family to work!!
*No matter how big or small you make these they will be done in 6-8 minutes. A very fast bake!
*Remember you don't want these to brown at all, so they may not look done but trust me they are.