
Instead of the classic phrases usually inscribed on cookies and candy this time of year, we thought it might be fun to make some treats with messages about loving nature. These are great cookies that little hands can pat and form easily. And best of all, they don't require refrigeration before cutting them out, so you can just whip them up and throw them in the oven. They do take a while to bake, but that just leaves a little more time to work up an appetite running around in the backyard. An what is more perfect than rosy cheeks, warm cookies, and a big glass of milk? Scottish Shortbread Cookies
{from the New York Times Cookbook}
- 2/3 cup organic butter unsalted and not quite room temperature
- 1/2 cup organic powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups organic white wheat flour (we like the nutty flavor this adds)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 egg whites (optional - for egg wash if you would like to add sprinkles)
- organic sugar sprinkles (optional)
- natural food dye (optional)
- rubber letter stamps (available at most craft stores)
- heart cookie cutter
Cream butter and sugar in mixer and then add flour and salt slowly. The dough will be a little crumbly when done. Next, pat the mixture into balls and put between two pieces of parchment paper. You can then flatten them with a roller or ask your little helpers to pat them down with their hands. Cut out the hearts with the cookie cutter, and place on parchment covered cookie sheet. Stamp on your message using a rubber stamp to imprint, it will keep trough the baking process. Bake at 325 for approx 55 minutes.

If you would like to make some colorful cookies to add to the bunch, after baking you can brush on an egg white wash with a paint brush and coat with your favorite colored sugar sprinkles. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5 minutes at 325.

If you didn't stamp the cookies before you put them in the oven, you could also take a small paint brush and paint the end of the stamps with food coloring and just have fun stamping the cookies after they are done. We tried to use the color from some organic blueberries, but our experiment didn't go as planned and they needed a little longer to get a rich color, so we just used natural food dye. Some of our favorite cookie messages: Hug a bug Hug a tree Hug the sky What are you loving about nature right now?
Wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day filled with love, friends and family, and maybe even a little fun outdoors!