As Sarah pointed out, not everyone has a heart-shaped cookie cutter to help them make Valentine's Day Cookies. While the use of a cookie cutter can turn just about any cookie into something appropriate for the holiday, it certainly isn't your only option. These Easy Sugared Hearts are formed by hand, rolling and pinching the soft dough into a heart shape. The dough is easy to work with, so your kids can even help you shape them. The cookies are dipped into both red and plain granulated sugar before baking, which adds extra sweetness and beautiful color. The cookies are light and crisp without being crunchy. Not too sweet, despite the sugar coating, there is also a hint of butter and vanilla in them. They go perfectly with a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.

Hand-shaped Sugared Hearts
1/2 cup butter, very soft
1 cup sugar
6 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
red and plain granulated sugar, for rolling

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Blend in milk and vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. With the mixer of low speed, or working by hand, slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture. Mix only until just combined. Place dough in plastic wrap or a ziploc bag and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill two small bowls or plates with red and pain sugars.

Divide dough into 1-inch balls. Roll out each ball into a 4-5 inch rope and pinch into a heart shape. Dredge cookie in sugars and place on baking sheet.Bake at 375F for 12 minutes, or until just barely browned at the edges. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Makes about 40 cookies.