Free Recipes From Sparkle

SPARKLE SWEETHEART COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together until combined. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together on high speed until relatively smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and beat until combined and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to combine.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. The dough will be thick. Cover dough tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill for at least 30-60 minutes and up to 3-4 days. If chilling for longer than 2-3 hours, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking because the dough will be quite hard and the cookies may not spread.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
• Pour sanding sugar in a bowl or, if using multiple colors, a few separate bowls.
• Roll balls of cookie dough, about 1 Tablespoon of dough per cookie, then roll each ball in the sanding sugar to coat. Place each dough ball 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Using the back of a measuring cup or drinking glass, gently press down on each dough ball to slightly flatten. Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes or until very lightly browned on the edges.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Press a chocolate heart into each cookie and quickly stick the baking sheet in the freezer or fridge so the warm cookie does not completely melt the chocolate heart. Let the chocolate set (about 15 minutes) on the cookies in the freezer/refrigerator.
• Cookies will stay fresh covered at room temperature for 1 week.

CHOCOLATE SPARKLE COOKIES

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over, but not touching, simmering water.
• Remove from the heat.
• Cut the butter into a few pieces and mix into the chocolate until melted.
• Beat the eggs with an electric mixer, gradually adding the sugar until ribbons form (about 4 minutes on medium-high).
• Fold in the chocolate-butter mixture.
• Gently add the ground almonds.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Use a cookie scoop to form the dough into 1-inch balls.
• Roll the balls in granulated sugar, place on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart and immediately place in the oven.
• Bake until the center of the cookies is no longer wet, 9 to 12 minutes.
• When slightly cool, lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar.