Valentine's Day Cookies

Remember that shortbread dough we used for the linzer tarts?Well it is back again!This time ,we decorate the cookies with an icing made of confectioner's sugar,and we dip some in chocolate.Fun & delicious!
3 sticks of unsalted butter,softened
1 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3-1/2 c.flour
melting chocolate
1-2c.confectioner's sugar
1/4c.milk
assorted decorations(sprinkles,etc.)
Blend together the butter & sugar.Add the vanilla.Add the salt & flour.Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface,and cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter.I have obviously used hearts. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes or until golden around the edges.Let cool.

For the white icing,place the confectioner's sugar in a bowl.Add the milk,a little at a time,mixing after you add..if it seems too thick & pasty,add a bit more milk.The reason this is done this way is because if you add all of the milk at once,it may be too much,and the icing will be too thin,and will just pour off the cookie.You can always add more milk if you need it,but once you pour it in,you cannot get it out!Using a knife or a spatula,carefully spread the icing on the cooled cookie.If desired,this would be the time to decorate your cookie with sprinkles,etc.Let the cookies set for at least 1 hour.The icing can also be colored using food coloring.
   Another decorating alternative is dipping the cookies in melting chocolate,or dipping a fork in melted chocolate and drizzling the chocolate onto the cookies.Then they can also be decorated with sprinkles if desired.
  Yes,in case you are wondering,there are actually chocolate cookies in todays' picture as well.Stay tuned for that recipe this week!