How to Decorate Valentine's Day Conversation Heart Cookies Recipe

Cookies :

• In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes
• Add eggs and extract and beat until creamy and well combined
• Gradually add the flour mixture, beating well after each addition.
• Do not overbeat though.
• Wrap dough in a piece of plastic wrap, freeze for about 20 minutes or chill in refrigerator at least 2 mours
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat
• Roll dough out to 1/8 inch thickness, cut with heart shaped cookie cutter
• Place on baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until cookie bottom is lightly golden brown
• Cool on wire rack completely

Icing :

• In a large bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder on low for 30 seconds
• Add water one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.
• You will need different consistencies for outlining, flooding and writing.

To Decorate Cookies :

• Divide the icing into bowls, and mix with desired color
• Add icing to decorator bag fitted with a small round tip, #4 or #5
• The icing should be thin, but not too thin.
• Line cookie around the edge, then fill with icing
• Gently shake or tap the cookie to spread the icing
• To write on cookie, add red icing to bag fitted with a small round tip, #2