Sugar Cookies in Painted Heart

Classes are ending for the semester and we're celebrating with a potluck on Friday. This is the perfect time to use my new heart shaped cookie cutter.

I used a recipe from Martha Stewart which can be found here.
Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons brandy, or milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 

  
  Directions:
• 1. Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; mix until light and fluffy. With mixer running, add egg, brandy, and vanilla; mix until well combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add reserved flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  2. Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.
  4. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes; do not allow to brown. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

 I decided to "paint" them before I baked them, because I ran out of icing sugar in honour of our art class. I took an egg white and mixed it with 1/4 tsp of water. Then I separated it into three bowls added some food colouring. I used a paintbrush and painted on my heart shapes. After they were all painted up nicely I baked them as directed at the end of step 4.

I can't wait to party with my new friends on Friday! In the meantime, my husband will love these in his lunch to work.

Happy Baking,

PS: Here's where we link up.

{Amazing} Chocolate Toffee Bars

Happy Friday Everyone! We've made it through another week. Here is a great recipe for you to make this weekend. It's easy and won't take up a lot of time so you can relax in the beautiful weather.

I first made this for my grandparent's 12.5 year anniversary. My sister made the cake. Remember the cakes she made for her daughter's first birthday and for our parents' anniversary? You can check out more of her amazing, edible creations here.

 It was a wonderful day with family and I was glad I could contribute something yummy.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided

1 pkg. Skor bits

1. Combine flour, sugar, and cocoa. Cut in butter until it looks like course crumbs.

2. Stir in eggs and set aside 1 1/2 cups of mixture for topping.

3. Press remaining mixture into a greased 9 x 13' baking pan. 

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 6-8 minutes or until set.

5. In a saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup chocolate chips. Stir on low heat until melted. Spread over crust.

6. Sprinkle Skor bits over, reserving 1/4 cup.

7. Combine reserved crumb mixture and remaining chocolate chips. Carefully sprinkle over the Skor bits. 

8. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. 

9. Sprinkle remaining Skor bits over baked bars. Cool before cutting. 

Don't forget to come back tomorrow, when we'll be trading blogs with Pumpkin Loves.

Happy Crafting,

PS: Here's where we link up.