Baked HEARTS for your VALENTINE

I have never been much of a Valentines Day person. I am one of those people who feel that expression of love should not be restricted to a day. But somehow the season is contagious. With shops selling cards and gifts and little knick-knacks for your loved one, and events in the food blogosphere gently nudging us into cooking something for our valentine. Now, that's something I don't mind.

I always feel inadequate when I need to bake anything. Mainly because I have an OTG without temperature control and just 2 baking dishes in which nothing except a cake can be made. I don't have muffin trays or pie dishes or even cookie cutters. I normall make round-shaped cookies by patting them into shape with my hands. But if I need anything heart-shaped, that's a different story, right?

But I used my hands again! Its crude, its far from perfect, but its still a heart!

Heart-Shaped Shortbread Cookies for your Valentine

Recipe adapted from here

Makes a dozen cookies

What I Used:

Flour - 1 cup
Unsalted butter - 1/2 cup and a little more
Powdered sugar - 1/2 cup (measure after powdering)
Salt - one pinch
Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp

How I Made Them:

1. Mix the flour and salt well and keep aside.

2. Cream the butter well and mix in the sugar. Cream further until it has dissolved in the butter.

3. Add the vanilla and mix well.

4. Gently fold in the flour and make into a soft dough. Refrigerate cling-wrapped, for an hour.

5. Gently roll the dough and cut into desired shape. I make small balls and made the heart shape with my hands :)

6. Bake in a 180C pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes.

Share with your valentine while still warm and get ready for the compliments :)

These cookies go to Zorra's 'A heart for your Valentine' event. Entries so far can be seen here. I am also sending this to Pooja who is hosting an event with a Valentine Theme.