Cookies,Cakes, and Sugar Oh My!

This week is your two for one special. With valentines this week, my baking was in overdrive. Thank the lord I have people who are willing "taste testers" of my projects or I really don't know hat I would  do with all this sugar surrounding me.

First, I decided to attempt sugar cookies from scratch. I found the recipe online with 5 stars next to it, and honestly i know why. They came out perfect. I was thrilled because it was completely unlike my first attempt at chocolate chip cookies a few years back. that was when I discovered the power of Vanilla Extract...it really changes everything in your cooking.In addition to the basic cookie recipe I added whipped frosting and red candied sugar to create more of the valentines theme with the cookies. I sent most to my son's class valentines party, where I actually got to watch the kids eat and enjoy my cookies (which i loved). Next time I decided though next time to try to find some some substitutes for the immense amount of butter in these cookies. In my opinion they really should be called butter cookies instead, I could grease the entire state of Rhode Island with the amount of butter used in these things. Besides that, a definite success in baking.

My second baking foray this week was a chocolate heart valentines cake. I have done chocolate cakes before and I must say I think this recipe is going to be one of my signature pieces. I have been  scratch baking consistently for about three years now and my chocolate cake has always been on of the best things I bake. This time instead of using icing for more of a rich, dense feel I decided to cover it in Cool Whip and then let it harden in the freezer. Pure Perfection I have to  admit.....I think I am on my way to a signature dish.