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Valentine’s Day Ombré Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

For the cookies

  • 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 c sugar I use sugar that I've stored vanilla beans in
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter cold & cut into chunks
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the icing

  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 12 tablespoons of butter softened
  • 2-3 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • pink gel food coloring

Instructions

For the cookies

  • Combine the flour and baking powder, set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the sugar and butter.
  • Add the egg and vanilla.
  • Gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined, scraping down the bowl, especially the bottom.
  • Dough will be crumbly. Turn it out on a floured surface and knead to combine it.
  • Roll to about 1/4" to 3/8" thick, and cut into shapes. Place on parchment lined baking sheets.
  • Freeze the cut out shapes on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before baking.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minute and then move them to a cooling rack.

For the frosting

  • Combine cream cheese and butter and beat until smooth.
  • Add in vanilla extract.
  • Gradually beat in powdered sugar until icing is to desired texture. I used 3 cups.
  • Frost 4 or 5 cookies with white frosting. Then add in a little food coloring. Frost 4 or 5 more.
  • Repeat two more times, adding in a bit more coloring each time.