Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching so I decided to share my favorite love inspired cookie.  The boys and I worked on these a couple of afternoons ago.  They sat happily eating cookies watching me decorate the rest!  It’s a super easy delicious cookie!  Spread a little love and share these with your nearest and dearest!

 

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

1 C Butter, softened

2 Eggs

2 t. Vanilla

Cream together and add the following:

3 C Flour

1 3/4  C Sugar

3/4 C Cocoa Powder

1/2 t Salt

1 t Baking Powder

Chill dough for 1 hour in refrigerator.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll dough on flour dusted counter to 1/4 -1/2 inch thickness.  Cut into desired shapes and Bake on Parchment lined cookie sheets for 10-12 minutes.  Allow to cool before decorating.

I like to decorate with Royal Icing which dries with a nice shell.  Here’s my recipe:

 

Royal Icing

4 C Powdered Sugar, Sifted

3 T Meringue Powder ( found at Wal-mart, JoAnn Fabrics or most bulk stores)

1/2 t Almond Extract

1/2 – 3/4 C Warm Water

Food coloring if desired  (I prefer Gel Colors)

Combine sugar and meringue powder.  Add Almond Extract and the 1/2 c water.  Whisk together and slowly add more water to thin as necessary.  Whisk Icing for 6 minutes on high speed to achieve best quality!