That sneaky little Cupid has been here, and early at that.
I can feel it, I can sense it, I have seen the proof...
I am not sure who Cupid's arrow got first, me or Mister Lovee? All I know is that I was busy working on a project yesterday, when this super happy bug hit me, and I willingly and happily (that is the sign it was cupid) took everything out of a closet to get to my food processor (that I keep in the box), so I could make Mister his yearly treats...
Mister Lovee and I like to do nice things for each other on a regular basis. He is a really nice guy, and knows me well. He brings me wild flowers, rusty things, found treasures and thrifted things all the time. So, we don't make too huge a deal of holidays in the way of going out to dinner and over the top gifts etc. Usually for Christmas or Valentine's day he paints little heart shaped rocks for me and dates them. I have one for every year (and even two for some years) I have known him.
However, I do like to go out of my way to bake him little goodies that have become part of "our" own tradition.
These wicked little treats are a labor of love. No joke, this has to be the most difficult dough to work with on earth. However, I made a few changes to it this year, and found it easier to work with.
But, I have to admit, the crazy dough is beyond worth it. These are so delicious, I can't even tell you...
Here are some tips as to what I do when I make mine.
1) I double my ingredients, and this time I used 3 egg yolks instead of two.
2) I use "salted" butter for everything, even the butter-cream filling. If you don't do this, the entire cookie is yucky sweet.
3) I use a lot of flour for dusting the counter, my rolling pin and the top of the dough while I am rolling it out because of the extra egg yolk moistness.
4) I make sure to use a thin edge metal spatula for lifting the heart shaped dough off of the counter and onto the baking sheet. And, I am very careful with the dough as it falls apart very easily.
5) I use raspberry jam, not strawberry :)
Below is the recipe I have used for the last 7 years or so (with the changes shared above).
Now, I should tell you, you can follow the recipe below, as shown, with success. Although, I would suggest you use salted butter. Oh and, I use regular granulated sugar for the cookie dough, when I don't have super fine on hand. (printable pdf in ps: at the end of this post)
I also like to dust some of my cookies with powdered sugar. To do this, I take the small heart cookie cutter I used for the center, and I trace it out on piece of card stock. Then I cut it out, and lay it on the jam section during the dusting. I then lift off the card stock piece with toothpicks.
And, voila...
As Mister was getting home last night, I surprised him with a clean kitchen (well, sort of clean) and all the ready made cookies.
Then I said, now Lovee, if you don't get me any flowers or anything for Valentine's day, that is a-okay because, you are super lovely all the time, and you do such nice things on a regular basis.
He smiled and said (with a sheepish look on his face) "well then, because you are so sweet, why don't you run and get a few vases..."
Cupid got him too!!! ;) That crazy cupid! As I was putting all those glorious flowers in my room, I heard a familiar bouncing sound on the ceiling outside my bedroom door.
Balloons!
I had to jump on my bed with glee.
The unexpected is always so exciting.
I feel so spoiled. And slightly rotten. But ever so girlie giddy too.
Mister Lovee.
What a guy...
Even though all the hoopla of flowers and balloons isn't necessary, I must admit, I am a little over the moon about the whole thing.
Oh and, I would like to take a very important moment to admire my beloved friend Laura's chocolate cameos. She made them. She is amazing. She can do anything and is beautiful and kind too. She is, she is!
I also want to send oooooodles of love to the 4 people in my life who I adore beyond words. My brother and sister (I love these childhood photos of my brother and sister), and my awesome Mom and Dad. LOVE YOU 4!!!!
(My uncle Frank is hilarious as Hook, I had forgotten about that)
I just got word that my Grandma and Grandpa got the treats I sent, and not 5 minutes after receiving them, my grandpa was in his swing chair in the garden, gobbling them up (chocolates). I tell ya, I can't think of any adult in my world who doesn't have a childlike vibe. I love those characters!!
Well, I best have my own cookie. Wouldn't want to waste them now, would we?
Okay, you can have the one above. I'll get my own ;)
Don't forget, whether you have romance (I didn't always have cupid infused V-days) doesn't determine what sort of Valentine's day you have. I think, first and foremost, we should be our own Valentine. Not only that, but we should be our own best Valentine ever, in the history of good Valentine's.
Plus, the elves wanted me to tell you that they want to be your Valentine ;)
Much love from all of us over here at "A Fanciful Twist..."
See you super soon ;)
♥ ,V
ps: Here is a printable pdf link I made you of that cookie recipe. Recipe from The Ultimate Cookie Book - Catherine Atkinson.
pss: I have a long night of finishing a project I need to ship out ahead of me. But, I am excited to listen to these two albums while I work. Have you listened to them? New Sade Album, and the new Lali Puna Album. I am also listening to Massive Attack, Paradise Circus, I think I love it...
pss: Oopsie, Mister Lovee said I should put this song in this blog post, and I forgot until just this moment, silly me...
