Valentine's Day Cookies

 My brothers, cousins, aunts.... OK basically everyone in my family always begs me to make my famous buttercream icing, whether it's for cookies, cakes or just eating off the spoon! Anyway, my brothers have a love for soft sugar cookies with that buttercream icing and they always beg me to make it for them. Since I never had the chance over the holiday season to make our family's favorite dessert, I figured I would just make valentines cookies!

{I apologize for the sucky pictures. The lighting was terrible due to this winter storm madness!}

My brothers are picky. They have to be soft, chewy and not too sweet (my frosting makes up for that!) So, I've been searching to find the perfect sugar cookie recipe. Today I tried this recipe and it met their expectations. Only next time, I'd add more vanilla. 

Classic Sugar Cookies

 Cream together: 1 Cup Sugar, 2 Sticks Softened Butter.

Add: 2 Eggs, 4 Tablespoons half & half,and a splash of Vanilla.

Mix Together.

Then Add: 3 Cups Flour, 2 Tsp Baking Powder, 1 Tsp Baking Soda and mix together. 

Refrigerate dough at least two hours. 

Roll, cut & bake at 350 degrees for about 6-7 min

 For the buttercream frosting, it's hard to say because I never measure the ingredients. Here's the basics though:

Buttercream Frosting/Icing

Cream 1 stick of softened butter with 1/2 cup of Crisco in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment  Add in about 2 teaspoons of vanilla (I normally add way more but I really like vanilla). Slowly mix in about 6 cups of powdered sugar, or until the frosting starts to look lumpy and dry. Add in about a tablespoon (or more if needed) of cream/half&half/milk until you get desired consistency. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or more. 

  I added food coloring and used a piping bag to pipe the frosting onto the cookies!

 For some, I wanted a glaze to coat the cookies in addition to the buttercream (the ones above). For that, I just melted a bit of butter, added vanilla and powdered sugar. Then mixed in cream until I got the right consistency.

 As you can see, I had way too much fun with these. They turned out so yummy and now my brothers owe me big time. I'm pretty sure there will be none left tomorrow!

Banana Nut Bread Valentines

I know, I know, I already posted today.

But I was honestly so excited to share this with you, I couldn't wait!

I got bit by the craft/baking bug the other day.

It was probably a combination of things:

Valentine's day just so happens to be my favorite holiday and I had a bunch of browned bananas.

I also know a couple people who could use a random treat to brighten their day.

So, I just whipped up the batter

{ I used William Sonoma's Recipe }

and filled it in individual ramekins. 

After they cooled, I grabbed some cellophane wrap and wrapped them up!

Here is what I came up with:

I know it may seem obvious that banana nut bread contains nuts, but I'd rather be safe than sorry :)

All I did to make these cute little valentines was tied some colored raffia around the cellophane, and added this little sign I made:

feel free to right-click on it and save it to your computer, so you can use it too!

These are the perfect 'little something' to make someone's day or just to give to your valentine!

But seriously, who doesn't like homemade banana nut bread?!?!?!

Happy Valentine's Day, Y'all!