Valentine Heart Necklaces

4.6
(43)

These are a great substitute for children to take to school in lieu of Valentine's Day cards! Use a drinking straw to cut the holes in the pastry.

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Prep Time:
35 mins
Cook Time:
7 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 42 mins
Servings:
15
Yield:
30 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened

  • ¾ cup white sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

  • 2 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar

  • cup butter, softened

  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 3 drops red food coloring

  • 2 ¼ ounces colored candy sprinkles

  • 60 long red vine licorice

Directions

  1. Cream 1 cup butter or margarine and 3/4 cup white sugar together. Blend in egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and grated lemon peel. Sift together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and baking powder. Add to creamed mixture and blend well. Cover and refrigerate dough for approximately 2 hours.

  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

  3. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use a floured heart shaped 1 to 2 inch cookie cutter and cut dough into heart shapes. Place the cut-out hearts on greased cookie sheets.

  4. Using the drinking straw, make a hole at the top center of each heart before baking. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until very lightly browned. Cool the cookies on a wire rack.

  5. To Make Butter Frosting: Mix 3 cups confectioners' sugar and 1/3 cup butter together. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons milk. Beat until smooth making sure frosting is of spreading consistency. Stir in food coloring to create a pink or red colored frosting, if desired.

  6. After cookies have cooled, frost and decorate them with nonpareils, sprinkles, dragees, or colored sugar. Use a toothpick to dislodge the hole, if necessary. Let the frosting dry.

  7. To make a necklace, tie the ends off of two pieces of red colored licorice with a knot. Thread it through the hole at the top center of the cookie. Tie the other ends off with another knot to create a "chain." Makes approximately 30 heart necklaces.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

521 Calories
18g Fat
87g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 15
Calories 521
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 11g 53%
Cholesterol 56mg 19%
Sodium 176mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 87g 32%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 55g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 32mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 50mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.