The Budget Casa

There’s more to sugar cookies than just frosting. They can be made into sophisticated window cookies, or dipped in chocolate for extra decadent treats. We used a tried-and-true cookie dough recipe—this recipe from Alton Brown’s Good Eats—and spun it three different ways, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

1. Frosted sugar cookies. These are simply traditional sugar cookies with icing. For a quick and easy icing, mix up powdered sugar with a little water to desired consistency – slightly runny but thick enough to spread on the cookies. Sprinkle with sugar or decorative sprinkles if desired.

2. Dipped in chocolate. Just melt 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 2 tablespoons of shortening in the microwave on high power for 1 minute. Stir. If morsels are still too firm, microwave again at 10 to 15-second intervals on high until soft.

3. Window cookies with jam. These look fancy, but are quite easy to make. Bake the large hearts and large with cut-out hearts as directed. Once the cookies have cooled, spread jam on the larger hearts. Place cut-out hearts on top.