So Many Hearts

As I had previously mentioned, I love Valentine's Day because of the decorations. Every year, my brain is inundated with ideas for holiday baking, but as I used to have two jobs (Activision and World of Warcraft), I never really got a chance to make those daydreams a reality. Since I have much more free time lately, I've decided to really spend more time doing all those creative, crafty things I love to do but never had time for before (sewing, stamping, drawing, baking, etc). Last February's issue of Martha Stewart Living featured conversation heart cookies. I'm not normally big on eating conversation hearts, a majority of the time they're stale, chalky and tasteless; however, fresh batches CAN be good and no matter what, they always look cute. At least the classic ones do. I don't know what's up with the new sugared ones and the hip text message-y ones. I'm all for the classics. Oh, but I bought a bag of Spanish ones this year because they are awesome.

I digress.

I decided a couple weeks ago to replicate Martha's conversation heart cookies, though I doubt she has ever made them herself. (If I'm wrong and you're reading this, Martha, my bad). I made the dough yesterday and chilled it overnight. This morning, I busted out the dough and started rolling away.



After letting them cool all day, I made a double batch of Royal icing and tinted it in eight different colors. Yes. Eight. I'm glad my mom has a ton of Tupperware and a Costco sized box of plastic wrap. I spent a good amount of time watching tutorial videos on University of Cookie to prepare for this cookie decorating session. My first successful sugar cookie decorating was this past Christmas with my Christmas tree cookies, but I think I stepped it up a bit more this time. I spent four hours slaving over the Valentine's cookies tonight, my hopes to go to the gym were dashed (I actually did really want to go ): ). A close inspection will obviously show piping bag flaws, but I'm proud of my work nonetheless. I figure I can only improve as I practice more, right? Tomorrow morning, I'll be stamping words on them using an interchangeable alphabet stamp (I've set it aside for food use only!) and red food coloring. I hope it comes out okay! The few reviews I was able to find of the recipe all contained complaints about the stamping part /: but I bought food safe pens just in case as my back up plan. I can't wait to show them to the mister. I hope he approves (: