Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, thanks to the abundance of chocolate and balloons. So of course we like to make it a special day at our house, usually with a dinner we cook together. And copious amounts of the good stuff...aka dark chocolate bars with fruits and nuts.
It's no mistake that the dessert tab on my site has more recipes than the others, it's always been my favorite thing to make. I try to make something fun and heart-shaped for Valentine's day, unless we're still munching on Dave's birthday cheesecake. This year I wanted to make a healthier sugar cookie with a delicious frosting I've used again and again.
I know they aren't stark white (I always use whole wheat flour) and the frosting isn't pink, but I know these cookies won't disappoint. I know that because Dave isn't a dessert fiend like me (loser) and so when he oooohs and ahhhs over a new dessert recipe, it's obviously a keeper.
I hope you all enjoy these as much as we did! You can find the cute cookie cutters here. I wasn't sponsored by Target to share them with you, but since they tweeted my instagram picture (whaaaat?!) I thought I'd spread the love. It is a Valentine's Day post after all. ;)
Cookie Ingredients ≫≫
2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg (or 1 1/2 tsp egg replacer)
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon raw sugar
1 cup unsalted (or vegan) butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients ≫≫
1 cup raw sugar
4 tablespoons melted coconut oil
4 tablespoons almond milk
5 tablespoons creamy natural almond butter (store bought or homemade)
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (this time I used my chocolate protein powder, this stuff is THE best!)
4 teaspoons real vanilla extract
Directions ≫≫
Preheat oven to 325. Coat your baking sheet with a bit of oil.
Combine flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk your egg and set it aside.
Cream the sugar and butter in a bowl with a hand mixer (I used my Kitchenaid) until fluffy. Add vanilla and beat until mixed. Add the egg and beat until smooth. Add your flour mixture and beat until a soft dough forms. You might have to add a bit more flour if it stays sticky, I did.
Divide dough into two or more balls (whatever will fit on the surface you'll be rolling), I did a few smaller dough balls. Roll on a lightly floured surface until you have about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out hearts and place on your cooking sheet.
Bake and repeat until all your dough is cooked. I only have one baking sheet right now, so I rolled/cut while a batch was cooking and switched the cooked cookies onto a cooling rack, etc.
For the icing, just add all the ingredients together and then spread it on the cookies. If you want a thicker icing, which is what I did for mine, place the icing in your fridge for a few hours or overnight.
What are your plans for Valentine's Day? Let me know in the comments if you try these cookies, I'd love to know how they turn out for you! And make sure to hashtag #mallorieowensrecipe if you share yours on Instagram, that way I can see it. I hope you all have a fabulous week filled with heart shaped chocolates and balloons!
♡ MALLORIE