Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies: A Sweet Delight for Any Occasion

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Make the Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough, making it easier to roll out.
Roll Out and Cut Shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies just begin to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Icing: While the cookies cool, make the royal icing by combining powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice in a bowl. Adjust consistency as needed with water or more powdered sugar. Divide into smaller bowls and add food coloring to create pastel shades.
Decorate the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, use piping bags with fine tips to decorate the cookies with royal icing. You can create outlines, fill in the hearts with colors, or add little details like sprinkles or additional icing designs.
Let the Icing Set: Allow the royal icing to dry and set completely before serving or storing.
Serving and Storage Tips