Peppermint Heart Sugar Cookies

Need a last minute gift idea?  How about some Valentine sugar cookies for someone special? I made Peppermint Sugar Cookies for my annual cookie exchange with friends over the holidays. They were delicious! The pretty specks of pink and red peppermint made me think that these would make such pretty Valentine cookies. I modified the recipe slightly below.

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Ingredients: 

2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup finely crushed hard red and white peppermint candies or candy canes
additional powdered sugar for rolling

heart shaped cookie cutter

white chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt). Set aside

2. Beat butter and powdered sugar with a mixer until fluffy, add an egg yolk and mix until blended. Add egg whites and peppermint extract and mix well. Slowly add dry ingredients in. Then add finely crushed peppermint candies and white chocolate chips (if desired). 

3. Form a ball with the cookie batter, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour. 

4. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and have a bowl of powdered sugar ready. 

5. Make 1 inch balls, roll in powdered sugar and flatten with palm. Use heart shape cookie cutter to cut out heart. Dip again in powdered sugar and place on parchment paper. Use a fork to make crisscross design. 

6. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees until bottoms are golden brown. Cool on wire racks.