CONVERSATION HEARTS RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine powdered sugar and butter in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Add 2 egg yolks and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour and salt; beat at low speed until well mixed.
• Divide dough in half. Shape each into a ball; flatten to about 1/2 inch. Wrap each in plastic food wrap; refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Roll out dough, one-half at a time (keep remaining dough refrigerated), on lightly floured surface to 1/4- to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Combine 1 egg yolk and water in bowl until well mixed. Divide mixture into several small cups; tint each with food color as desired.
• Paint thin layer of egg yolk paint onto cookies, using small clean paintbrushes, to form desired designs. Bake 5-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Steps:

• Pour the water in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let sit for 5 minutes. Microwave the water and gelatin in 15 second intervals until fully dissolved (for me, this took three intervals). Pour the water and gelatin mixture in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the flat beater. On low, mix in the confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time until a dough forms. Add a dash of flavoring and/or extract of your choice, if desired, to the entire batch, or add different flavorings and extracts to divided dough. Divide the dough and tint desired colors by kneading one to two drops of food coloring into each section of dough. On a surface dusted with confectioner’s sugar, roll the dough out about 3/8-inch thick. Cut out hearts and place on a baking tray lined with parchment or wax paper. Let the hearts dry one to two days before adding your messages with the edible writers.