Wednesday, February 10, 2010

conversation heart sugar cookies

New York is currently being dumped on with the fluffy white stuff so I anticipated a baking project for today. It seemed like a good idea since I knew that I would be home bound all day. I quite enjoyed myself, but I will say that this is not a 1 hour baking project. It took me some time, but luckily I had some extra time today, and I really enjoyed myself.
My initial plan was to stop by Williams - Sonoma yesterday to pick up a heart shaped cookie cutter and more sanding sugar. Then I was drawn in by this Message in a Cookie product. Usually I like to stick to the basics and essentials when it comes to tools in the kitchen, but boy was I intrigued. It was like letterpress for a cookie! I could customize messages and I knew this would be perfect for my intended snow day project. Last night I made the dough and colored it. (which was a big fat mess and reminded me of the scene in Hook when the kids eat all of that bright colored goop. anyone, anyone?) It was really important to me that I achieved "conversation heart" colors. Then I set up everything properly so that I could wake up to an organized kitchen ready for sugar cookie baking.
I used a new sugar cookie recipe that results in super soft cakelike cookies. Recipe courteousy of Erin who brought them to our holiday party. I consumed 7 of them and never told anyone, until now. They are very, very delicious. The dough is a bit tricky and definitely requires that you make it in advance and chill. In fact, after mine had chilled in the fridge all night, I still stuck it in the freezer just before rolling out so that it would be a bit easier to work with. After rolling out the dough (on a very well floured surface) I started pressing away. It took me a minute to get the hang of it, but I soon figured it out and starting plugging in my own Valentines messages. Although not every cookie came out perfect, I think it was a successful baking day here in the Egan home. I ate a pink "I love you" cookie after lunch and it was divine. Great recipe Erin!
Super Soft Sugar Cookies
...............................................
Yield: 2 dozen

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 eggs
8 ounces sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoons baking powder
approximately 4 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream together butter and sugar. Add remaining wet ingredients; eggs, sour cream & vanilla. In a separate medium bowl combine salt, baking soda & baking powder. Slowly mix into wet ingredients until combined. Finally, add flour slowly, adding more or less if needed.
Let the dough chill for at least an hour, although longer is preferable. (I suggest sticking it in the freezer for 5 minutes before rolling out) Roll out dough on a well floured surfaced and cut into shapes. Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on size.
Keys to the cookies: Roll the dough at least 1/4 inch thick and don't overbake.

72 comments:

  1. funny! i have this recipe courtesy of hil and I made this dough last night. It is chilling in my fridge waiting for me to come home...

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  2. you are lucky. I thought this would be a good activity for my nieces this weekend when they visit, so i quickly called my williams-sonoma stores in the area and they are ALL out until March! I'll definitely be getting them when they are in stock. Thanks for the great idea!

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  3. rufio rufio ru-fi-ooo!
    these look amazing, so perfect for valentin'e day!

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  4. So cute. I may have to come over and bake. They look so yummy and are such cute colors!! You are too cute.

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  5. those are adorable. Though I must say that I only like sugar cookies with frosting...which would ruin the whole conversation heart look. Too bad, these are cute.

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  6. Oh, so cute! I'll have to try out that recipe. What do you use to color your dough to make the colors so good? I think they turned out darling- glad Robby had my project to wrok on last night while you were busy with dough! ;) (Seriously- I feel bad that he was up so late with that. Sorry!)

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  7. Seriously - amazing. Love these Kelsey. SO cute.

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  8. i love your site, it really inspires me to try new things. your cookies are amazing!!

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  9. i am dying over these. i wish i would have been bustling around your kitchen with you today.

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  10. Lucky girl to get this cookie cutter! I tried and tried and they are out!! I am doing our sugar cookies tonight and just came online to google why my dough is sticking to my rolling pin -- so, glad you're here! Apparently it needs to chill a little longer. Wish we lived closer so I could just hire you out -- these cookies are adorable! And I could help you eat them, too. ;)

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  11. these are adorable! too bad we didn't make them sunday night! :)

    i'm definitely going to try out this dough recipe in the next couple days, i'm always looking for a soft sugar cookie recipe.

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  12. Came here from Kathryn's blog. Love these! Really, just fabulous.

    Can you tell us how you dyed the dough?!

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  13. i think W-S just got a whole vunch of website hits due to your post ! lol

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  14. ooo I really want to make these, but I called Williams Sonoma and they're on back order...guess I'll have to try it first with normal cookie cutters :)

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  15. The colors are amazing! What a perfect way to spend a snowy day... baking! I think that's what I'll do with my kids today.

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  16. Kelsey! I love these! So adorable! If I had been brave enough to trek a few blocks I would've come to help!

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  17. oh man! those cookies are adorable! Now I need to find that cookie-cutter!

    found you thru a few clicks...cute blog!

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  18. The actual conversation hearts don't taste too good to me. But these lovely cookies, on the other hand, look like they'd be wonderful. What a clever improvement on the original.

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  19. I'm a sucker for colourful things and these are just to-die-for. I want those cookie cutters now :)

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  20. These are so cute! I'm going to go look for the cutters at my local William Sonoma so I can make these this weekend!

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  21. I feel like I found a celebrity's blog! Really I did I guess but I digress. I saw your cookies on Tastespotting and just had to come for a closer look. Too stinkin' cute! They look just like those terrilbe-tasting conversation hearsts!

    By the way, I was so rooting for you on Food Network. Is your new show online or on tv? I don't guess I get that channel ): Sad.

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  22. These are ADORABLE!! Send some snow my way so I can have an excuse to stay in and bake :)

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  23. I made the cookies today too! Great recipe

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  24. These are too cute!! Great idea... Love all the colors... Totally get the hook reference!

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  25. these are a valentine's day staple in the skeen/burton households. i've eaten approximately 8 of these today already. i love your conversation heart spin. LOVE it. brilliant kelsey!

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  26. Somehow my mom found a set and is having it shipped to me! I have a week to achieve your colorful awesomeness -- what's your secret? They look like they might be wilton frosting colors, but at what stage do you divide it up & dye? Thanks! -Jenny

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  27. Those are so stinkin' adorable!

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  28. I completely neeeed that cookie word press thingy. How adorable! And I know what you mean with the food fight goop in Hook--yak! They look like playdoh at first glance.
    Very sweet.

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  29. hi all, for weeks, I've been following your blog about "conversation heart sugar cookies", I love the approach that you give to this subject, thank you very much!

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  30. There are seriously the prettiest cookies I've ever seen. I love this! thanks so much for sharing, I link to your blog here http://foodstoragegirl.blogspot.com/ I hope that's ok.

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  31. i was a little put off when i saw sour cream in the recipe but i decided to give it a try. i love how soft they came out! i took them to work and they were devoured! this recipe is a keeper.

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  32. Tried making these before and ours came out so ugly.

    http://www.katrinaalana.com/blog/2010/09/making-message-in-a-cookie-cutter-cookies/

    I can't wait to try your recipe and see how we fare this time around.

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  33. I can't find the cookie cutters but I am going to make these cookies and put a candy conversation heart in the middle before I bake- they will be cute and second best- THANKS

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  34. These are super cute! Will have to try and make them.

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  35. Kelsey these are GORGEOUS!!!!!!! You'd almost expect to see them in the window of a fancy pastry shop! <3

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  36. I am a lover for baking, and it would be important for me to achieve the conversation heart colors too. These cookies are so creative, and such a wonderful gift to a loved one for Valentines day because of the amount of energy and time spent to make them. Super idea! Thanks I am using it!

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  37. If u can't get the cookie cutter try using the tip of a tooth pick.

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  38. These are awesome!!! I'm putting together a section of recipes for LOVE month on my site ... http://www.wikimommy.com ... and I would love to feature this!! Please email me ro (at) wikimommy (dot) com and let me know if I may re-post this on my site. Thanks for sharing!!

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  39. This recipe is delicious! We love them at my house. However I have been meaning to get some advice from you regarding the message in a cookie cutter.

    Since these cookies puff up so much it made our messages practically unreadable! How did you get yours so perfect? I have tried again and again without success:( is there something you did that I am not doing? Do you cut out the cookies and then push the message in? Or the other way around? ... Help!

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  40. So sorry to bother you. Did you ever post an answer to getting the dough dyed those amazing colors?

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  41. So sorry to bother you. Did you ever post an answer to getting the dough dyed those amazing colors?

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  42. hey hie!!!
    loved your website... great work

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  43. hey hie!!!
    loved your website... great work

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  44. Just darling! I rarely check out W/S these are so fun. I'm up for a good sugar cookie recipe, too.

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  45. Love this post, the cookies look fabulous! Thanks for the recipe, too.

    However, it would be nice if you could answer some of your follower's comments/questions, such as how you color the dough. I'd love to know how you got such wonderful colors for these adorable cookies.

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  46. ANSWER YOUR READERS QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  47. What a great idea for a cookie! I've seen a lot of cute things lately referencing William Sonoma.......I think I need to find one to go to. :) Anyhow, I included your cookies in my Valentine's Day Round-up. XO
    http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2013/01/25-valentine-crafts-treats.html

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  48. I just got married and have been looking for a great Valentine's treat for my husband (who will be taking his boards the two days prior) and I think this is it! Thanks so much for the great recipe and idea :)

    Amina
    www.paperplatesblog.com

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  49. wonder if you could just use a normal stamp? i think I'll try that tomorrow...I just got a bunch in the $1 bins at the craft store!

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  50. Gorgeous colors and the stamp looks super fun! Def want that one.

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  51. As to the cookie puffing up so much it makes it unreadable....with sugar cookies the colder they are when you bake them the more they hold their shape....i cut mine out then put the cookie sheet in the freezer for 5 min before baking and find they hold their shape better (any shape)

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  52. As to the cookie puffing up so much it makes it unreadable....with sugar cookies the colder they are when you bake them the more they hold their shape....i cut mine out then put the cookie sheet in the freezer for 5 min before baking and find they hold their shape better (any shape)

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