Valentine's Day Cookies

Dessert

  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Setting  Time: 2hrs
  • Yield: 12-24 cookies

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar. 
  • 3 Tbsp merengue mix. 
  • 10-14 Tbsp cold water. 
  • Gel food coloring, toothpicks, bowls, sprinkles, silicone spatulas. 
  • 12-24 store bought plain heart shaped sugar cookies. 
  • You will also need a hand mixer or a stand mixer. 
  • *optional* clear cellophane bags or gift wrap, ribbons, ramekins, twine for gifting 

Directions

  1. Start by pouring the sugar, merengue powder, and 9TBSP water in the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large bowl and a hand mixer. 
  2. Using the whisk attachment, start on low speed for about 5 seconds so the sugar doesn’t blow back in your face. Gradually increase the speed to high and beat for about 2 minutes. 
  3. To test the consistency of the icing, pull the whisk out of the bowl, it should drizzle down and be smooth within 10 seconds of lifting the whisk from the bowl. If the icing is too thick, add water 1TBSP at a time until you get the right consistency. 
  4. If you accidentally make the icing too thin, beat for another minute, or add small amounts of powdered sugar until the right consistency is achieved. 
  5. Separate your icing into 3 bowls, leave one white, and dye the other 2 pink and red. 
  6. Lay cookies out on cooling racks on platters or metal trays. Silicone mats work great as well. 
  7. Use a small spoon or icing spatula to coat the top of the cookies. You can do 3 stripes and use tools like small spatulas or toothpicks to create an ombre effect. Try to do a thin layer of icing, thinner icing ensures a quick set. 
  8.  Add sprinkles and other cute decorations. You can also put a little icing in a small piping bag with a T-3 or T-4 tip. (about the width of a toothpick) add borders to the edges or cute words in the middle, once the base layer of icing is done. 
  9. Let sit out on the counter for at least 2 hours, putting them in the fridge will speed up the setting process. 

💜 Tara's Tip

  • Once the icing has completely hardened, place some cookies a ramekin and wrap in clear plastic gift bag, close the bag with twine, and finish with a pretty ribbon or bow. - Tara