Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Thumbprint Cookies

Now that Valentine’s Day has come and gone, there is a good chance that you (or your kids) have accumulated a decent sized stash leftover candy. This is a great way to get your kids to fork over their massive candy pile and get them cooking in the kitchen with you instead. I was lucky enough to have my two favorite sous chefs, my little sisters, to help my whip up these easy cookies. They loved the bright pink hue of the cookies, but you could mix it up with any color you want.

Freshly Baked Cookies!

Instead of plowing through a pile of chocolates, why not transform your candy stash into a batch of melty, yummy cookies! These are great to make after any chocolate fest, from Easter to Halloween because you can customize these cookies with any candy or filling you have on hand. These bright, sparkly cookies are the perfect treat for a birthday party or a girl’s night in. These only yield 12-15 cookies, so you may want to double the recipe if you are baking for a crowd.

Hot pink dough

Rolling the balls of dough in sanding sugar

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Cookies

Adapted from Lemon Drop’s Valentine’s Day Softies and Cooking Light’s Raspberry Stripers

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbs cornstarch
• 1/4 Tsp baking powder
• 1/4 Tsp salt
• 1/3 Cup granulated sugar +  3/4 Cup for rolling
• 5 Tbs butter
• 1 1/2 Tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Large egg white
• 1 1/2 Tsp red food coloring (you can get natural food coloring from Whole Foods)
• 1/4 Cup red sanding sugar
• 12-15 pieces of candy, spoonfuls of jam, or any other filling you choose (we used cherry jam, Hershey’s Hugs, and Heart-shaped Peppermint Patties)

Rosie pressing the Hugs into hot-out-of-the-oven cookies

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit  and line two baking pans with parchment paper, then set the pans aside
2. Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then set aside
3. Beat sugar and butter with a mixer at medium speed until well-blended
4. Add the vanilla, egg white, and food coloring to the sugar mixture, and beat well
5. Add the flour mixture to sugar mixture and stir well until well-blended
6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 15 minutes
7. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and roll it into 2-inch balls
8. Roll each ball in the sugar, then place them on the tray
9. For  filled cookies use  your thumb to make an impression, then spoon in your filling of choice (we used sour cherry jam)
10. Bake cookies for 12 minutes, or up to 15 minutes for the filled cookies
11. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 2-3 minutes, then gently press your candy into the center

Bake these cookies for a special treat to brighten up a regular day or to serve at a fun occasion!

Adorable food layout by Rosie (she took some great photos of the cookies all by herself)

Final Valentine’s Day Round-Up: Crafts

Over the past few weeks I have been getting excited for Valentine’s Day by sharing cute cards and tasty treats from around the web, and now it is time for my last round up of Valentine’s Day inspiration: sweet crafts that you can make to decorate for Valentine’s Day or give as last-minute gifts. I compiled these lists to show off some of the incredible talents of some of my favorite bloggers, and to hopefully inspire you to take advantage of this amazing holiday to share your love with whomever you want (your boyfriend, your family, your girlfriends, your dog and most importantly yourself.)

Sure you can dread the approaching holiday like an impending plague, or you can seize the moment to unleash your creativity and brighten someone’s day. Here is a round up of crafts that you can make for anyone anyone in your life. The great thing about this holiday is that there is no pressure to give anyone (except maybe your significant other) anything, but you have the ability to give to anyone you so desire. I have been making various crafts for the people in my life, but I can’t share them yet because the people who I made them for are some of my most loyal followers, so you will just have to wait to see those!

For yourself: Dress up a plain wall with a heart-shaped photo collage of people and things that make you smile

From I Heart Living Small Tumblr (no diy explanation...just use your own photos and glue)

For your nature-loving sister: Heart Terrarium for her house to remind her that even if you don’t talk to each other daily, you still love her

From Love + Cupcakes

For your daughters or nieces: Cute as a Button Earrings that they can show off to their friends at school

From The Anderson Crew

For your sentimental boyfriend: Love Card Deck to show him all the reasons you love him

From DIYIYD

For your favorite coworker: Rainbow Hearts Garland to brighten up her cubicle

From Momtastic

For your travel-loving Dad: make your own Hand Painted Globe by decorating a thrift store globe

From Sow Kinness. Gather Love Tumblr (no diy explanation...just use your own photos and glue)

For your tea-loving Mom: Heart-Shaped Tea Bags that you can fill with her favorite tea blend

From Funkytime

Valentine’s Day Treat Round-Up

Now that it’s finally February, Valentines Day is less than two weeks away! I understand that some people resent this holiday as a time for relationship insecurities and means for flower, greeting card, and chocolate companies to get rich by capitalizing on societal pressure. Personally, however, I cherish Valentine’s Day as a wonderful opportunity to show the people in my life how much I love them, without the pressure to buy a gift for everyone I know (as with Christmas and Hanukkah) or to have your thoughtfulness overlooked because of the overwhelming sea of presents (as with birthdays). Every year I look forward to baking goodies, decorating cards, and crafting presents as a way to show my family, girlfriends, and Goose how much they all mean to me.

So that you do not feel pressured to spend $39 for a box of Valentines Day Sprinkles Cupcakes, or splurge on a $100 box of chocolates, check out this round-up of treats that is not only cheaper, but cuter and more heartfelt than anything you could hope to buy. Whether you are looking for a special dessert recipe to make for your sweetheart, wanting to make treat boxes for your friends, or trying to find an easy snack to brighten your children’s faces, this list has you covered!

Candy melts molded into Lego ice-cube trays and topped with heart sprinkles make these the most playful treat I’ve ever seen: Lego Dude Valentines

From Sugar Swings! Serve Some

These three-ingredient treats were a huge hit when I made them last year: Hershey’s Kiss Oreo Truffles

From Bakerella

For the especially skilled pastry chef, these delicious rhubarb desserts will not go unappreciated: Pistachio, Roasted Rhubarb, Strawberry and White Chocolate Petits Gateaux

From Cannelle Et Vanille

Here’s a a sweet cake that is as delicious as it is beautiful: Cherry Vanilla Layer Cakes

From Sprinkle Bakes

Here is a semi-healthy treat for the men in your lives: Chocolate Covered Tuxedo Strawberries

From Delicious Adventures

These French-inspired cookies will make any travel-junkie’s heart skip a beat: Red Velvet Valentines Day Macarons 

From Delectable Deliciousness

These classic icebox cookies get a playful makeover from maraschino cherry juice and pink sanding sugar: Vanilla Bean and Cherry Swirled Icebox Cookies

From Shugary Sweets

For everyone who is sick of chalky-conversation hearts, here is a delicious upgrade: Homemade Marshmallow Conversation Hearts

From A Farm Girl's Dabbles

These old-fashioned cookies get a Valentines Day make over with a new heart shape that you can fill with chocolate, jam, or marshmallow fluff: Peanut Butter and Jelly Heartprint Cookies

From Steph's Bite By Bite

These petite baked doughnuts are the perfect morning treat before school or work: Mini Baked Sugar Doughnuts

From Kirbie's Cravings

What Valentines Day (or Anti Valentine’s Day) treats are you baking?