Can I just start off by saying…what on earth do you title a blog post that consists of Valentine sugar cookies which are actually chocolate valentine sugar cookies, that are made to look like a box of chocolates, which are actually topped with chocolate. Valentine Chocolates Chocolate Cookies? Boxed Chocolates Cookies? Chocolate Cookies Made To Look Like Chocolate? Do you see the confusion here? Man, who knew chocolate cookie impostors would be so difficult? Well maybe to name at least, because these babies were easy to make.
And here’s the best part…they aren’t just rolled chocolate cookies, they are actually decorated with chocolate! This week I set out to make some Valentine sugar cookies that looked like a box of chocolates But…I wanted to actually <em>decorate</em> the cookies with chocolate and not royal icing this time. At first, I’ll admit, I didn’t think it was going to work. although I used the same concept of royal icing to frost these (using an icing bottle) it had a small learning curve. I found I couldn’t get the chocolate as smooth as I wanted it, like a normal decorated cookie. But THEN it occurred to me to embrace the bumpy because real chocolates aren’t smooth! Once I did that and stopped trying to be a total perfectionist, they came together so quickly! I’ll admit, I did pipe the lines on using a small amount of royal icing. The chocolate just came out to thin and spread to much for clean lines, and that’s where the perfectionist in me “drew a line” with this design. But, if your not insane like me, you could totally pipe on the lines with colored candy melts.
For these valentine sugar cookies I used scalloped cookie cutters to make it look like little chocolate liners, but you could use smooth sided cutters as well and really place them in chocolate liners! Two tips I would recommend before starting these cookies. First, these cookies work best with smaller cookies made with 1 1/5in – 2 1/2in cutters. Trying to pipe chocolate on large cookies without it beginning to harden first is not enjoyable (just trust me on this on). And second, if you have a chocolate warmer, use it! I used my chocolate warmer so I could melt the chocolate all at once and simply pour more into my bottle as I used it. In between, I would pop my decorating bottle in the microwave for 5-10 seconds if needed.
HOW TO MAKE VALENTINE SUGAR COOKIES THAT LOOK LIKE A BOC OF CHOCOLATE
ROLLED CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1 tsp baking powder
FOR DECORATING
- 1 package Candyquick Melting Chocolate
- decorating bottle(s)
- 1/2 cup of colored royal icing + piping bag & small round tip
OR colored candy melts - pink gel coloring
- heart sprinkles
Step 1: In a small mixing bowl mix together flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar until combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined once more.
Step 2: Slowing mix in dry ingredients. Continue to mix on medium until all dough is combined. If it’s crumbly keep mixing. Once formed into a ball remove from bowl and slightly kneed with hands if needed.
Step 3: Roll out dough between two pieces of parchment paper. Cut out cookies with cookie cutters and place on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Place entire baking sheet in freezer to chill for 2 minutes, then bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Step 5: Let cookies rest on pan for 2 minutes then gently transfer to cooling rack.
Step 6: Once cookies have cooled melt chocolate. If you aren’t using a chocolate melter you can melt 1-2 bricks at a time. Pour chocolate into decorating bottle.
Step 7: Outline and fill cookies just as if you were decorating with royal icing. Add any sprinkles just after filling cookies. Let chocolate come firm back up then pipe on lines with royal icing or candy melts.
And that it! I can’t wait to see pictures of all your Valentine sugar cookies this year. Don’t forget to tag me + use #teamsprinkles so I can see.
