Valentine's = Sugar Overload

I think Valentine's Day is the sugariest holiday ever...at least in our family.  I think it even surpasses Halloween.  We are now on a limited sugar diet to try and cleanse ourselves of all the sugar we ate on V Day.  But it was fun.  Here are the highlights:



I started the tradition of making each of my love's a big yummy sugar cookie with their names on it.
  My decorating skills leave something to be desired, but they tasted really yummy.
I've posted the recipe at the end.

 

Decorating sugar cookies with friends.



Annie had a little too much fun with the frosting.



Michael really liked the m&m's



Valentine's Day at school is so much fun. 



My sister sent a fun package with something for each of the kids.
 This is one of the dresses she sent Annie...so cute.



Jacob likes his shirt too. :)

This is seriously the best sugar cookie recipe EVER!...well if you like soft sugar cookies.  If you like the crisp kind, this recipe isn't for you.  This recipe is a lot like the Grannie B cookies with the pink frosting.  I frost mine with homemade cream cheese frosting which I could eat straight out of the bowl if I wasn't worried my kids would see me and want to do the same thing.

Carolyn's Sugar Cookies (who was my mom's friend when I was little)

2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening (butter flavor is best)
4 eggs
3/4 c. whole milk (don't try to go less fat...whole milk is better) ;)
5 c. flour
1 1/2 t. cream of tartar
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
(you could add some almond extract if you want)

Cream the sugar and shortening in large bowl.  Add the eggs and vanilla.  In another bowl mix the dry ingredients together.  Alternately add dry mixture and milk to sugar mixture.  At this point the dough will still be really sticky.  You can add up to 2 more cups of flour until it is workable.  I usually add 1 more cup.  It will still be sticky but I try to add as little flour as possible, otherwise the cookies might be dry.  Plus you will need to add a little flour when rolling them out.
Roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutters.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes (I do 9 on the East coast)
Cool and frost.  They are even good plain.  Store in tupperware and they will stay super moist for days.