Valentine Shortbread Cookies Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir 1 cup butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until well blended. Stir in flour and salt until well mixed. If necessary, knead with hands to form a soft dough.
• On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 1 3/4-inch round or scalloped cookie cutter. Place 1/2 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Using 3/4- to 1-inch round or scalloped cookie cutters, cut out and set aside centers of half of the cookies.
• Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat marshmallow creme and 1/3 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Beat in 2/3 cup powdered sugar on low speed until fluffy and creamy.
• Spread about 1 1/2 teaspoons frosting on bottom of each whole cookie; top with 1/2 teaspoon preserves. Top with remaining cookies with centers cut out, bottom sides down.

Steps:

• Cream 1 1/4 cups margarine in large bowl.
• Gradually add sugar; beat until light and fluffy.
• Add 1/4 tsp almond extract and salt.
• Gradually stir in enough flour to make a soft dough.
• Add ground almonds.
• Press dough into a 10x15" jelly roll pan; prick with a fork.
• Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until very lightly browned.
• Cut into diamond shapes and remove from pan; cool completely.
• Meanwhile in a small mixing bowl, cream remaining 6 Tbsp margarine with confectioners sugar and milk until light and fluffy; beat in chocolate and 1/4 tsp almond extract.
• Spread frosting on cookies.
• Decorate as desired.
• (I make my own pink chocolate hearts from Merck's wafers using a mold, and put one on top of each cookie.).