Valentine Sugar Cookies with Cinnamon Imperial Frosting

At last, my week of Valentine Cookies has arrived! And to kick it all off, I'm sharing some of my favorites - heart-shaped sugar cookies covered in an ever-so-slightly-spicy Cinnamon Red Hot Frosting.

I've been planning this series for a while, so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered, post-cookie-dough-making, that I didn't own a single heart-shaped cookie cutter! I'm not sure how such an important fact got overlooked, but luckily we live within shouting distance of a Wal-Mart, so I was able to pop my mixing bowl into the fridge and come back with a whole array of cookie cutters before the dough was even cold.

Speaking of dough, these tender cut-out cookies are based on the same all-time favorite sugar cookie recipe I shared at Christmastime. In fact, all of the cookies in this series will have the same base dough - so go ahead and make it a double batch, you're gonna need it! I may be an innovator when it comes to most recipes, but I haven't changed a thing since my little sister introduced me to these fool-proof, perfect-every-time sugar cookies.

In addition to my favorite sugar cookie recipe, these cookies boast a positively delicious frosting. It's based on the recipe I shared on Friday, but with a few fun surprises. The first is the addition of crushed cinnamon imperial candies (you know, those bright red candies in the red cellophane wrappers?), and the second is a bit of added powdered sugar.  The mock 'whipped cream' frosting is great for sandwich cookies, but I added a bit of powdered sugar to help the frosting to 'set' for open-faced cookies. If you want an icing that sets even harder, more like Royal Icing, check out my 'Best Sugar Cookie Icing.'

I've baked with cinnamon imperials before, in the form of Red Hots, but never thought to use them as a decorating accent - until now. The pop of red color looks great against a white icing, but you can tint yours pink or even red to give it a burst of color that's a nice complement to the warm, slightly spicy cinnamon flavor. With their rosy complexion and Ret Hot flavor, these cookies are a natural choice for Valentine's Day - but who says you can't eat them all year?

Best, Never Fail Sugar Cookies
Check out my earlier post for the full recipe
A quick note:  Don't worry if your dough turns out quite dry and even a little crumbly (there's a lot of flour in this recipe). Just be patient - it'll come together when you roll it out!

Cinnamon Imperial Frosting
1 bowl Recession-Proof 'Whipped Cream' Frosting
Up to 2 cups powdered sugar, as needed
Up to 1 cup crushed cinnamon imperials, or Red Hots, as desired
Sprinkles, for decorating

Stir crushed candies into frosting to achieve desired flavor and color (be aware that excessive stirring may cause the candies to turn your icing pink!). Stir powdered sugar into prepared frosting by the spoonful, until the desired consistency is reached. Bear in mind that the mixture will thicken a little as it dries. Frost cookies immediately, and add decorations while frosting is still wet. Set finished cookies on a wire rack or baking sheet to 'dry' overnight.

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