My Sweet Valentines
I have always loved Valentine’s day but not because I have some grand Valentine’s memories or even expectations of doing anything special on the fourteenth. Since I have had children, I’ve spent every Valentine’s day at home where I make a special meal for them consisting of miniature heart shaped meat loaves, cinnamon love knot rolls, and french fries with ketchup squirted out into hearts on their plate 
.
I love Valentine’s day because ever since I was a little girl, when I start seeing hearts in pink and red appear in stores, I knew my birthday is coming . With birthdays come birthday money ~giggle and grin~ and that means guilt free shopping, which I got an early start on yesterday when I headed out to ye olde mall. I am shuddering even now, though, as I recall what I saw there.
Folks, I hope you’re sitting down because I have to confirm something that, until yesterday, I had hoped was merely a rumor. As I was paying for my purchase at Belk’s, I turned to my left and saw day-glow pink high tops with contrasting neon yellow and black checked, super wide, shoe strings. If that wasn’t enough, next to that sat an assortment of neon ballet slippers with little bows on them (think Mootsies Tootsies). ~takes a deep breath~
Yes, my dear friends, the eighties are back.
I’ve heard it said that if you are old enough to have lived through a trend the first time it was in fashion, you are too old to indulge in it the second time. Lucky for y’all that means my can of Aqua Net shall remain retired. Man I was good at eighties hair, I mean REALLY good! I had a large stand fan I kept in my room just for my hair. I’d tease it out and stand with my head laying over on the side while spraying my “wings” in front of the fan, staying that way for several minutes while they dried. ~sighs wistfully~.
So while I shall officially remain on the sidelines whilst the youngun’s take part in what they likely think is an original fashion trend ~eye roll~, I do want to wish them the best of luck. I hope it works out better for them than it did for us because, frankly, we all looked like idiots. See below photo for supporting evidence.
A friend from high school posted this on Facebook recently. See the wingy gal? Yup, thats me. Its a wonder I didn’t fly away when a stiff breeze came ’round…
Hmm, now where was I? Oh yeah..cookies. Y’all wanna make cookies, right? Well for goodness sakes, lets turn up the Cindi Lauper (or any other singer who wore FAR too much makeup – men included) and get crankin’!
You’ll need: Flour, Milk, Margarine, Baking Powder, Salt, Egg, and Vanilla. You can also use a drop or two of lemon oil if you have it (which I don’t but would add if I did).
Place your margarine in a bowl and add sugar.
Add baking powder
and salt
Mix until light and fluffy.
add milk
and vanilla….
A note on vanilla: I don’t know many cooks who don’t swear by a certain brand or type of vanilla. There are any number of designer brands on the market. Some are made in timbucktoo, some are extra pure or double strength, yadda yadda yadda. I have read the cookbooks that say you simply must, must, must use pure vanilla or make your own in order to achieve baking bliss and not humiliate yourself to anyone who takes a bite of your cookies. I’ve tried that vanilla, too.
I know that technically, its better. I know that with vanilla, you technically get what you pay for. Then again, I also know that, knowing all of this, I still buy the generic bottle that costs about a dollar a pop.
Ain’t got no complaints yet.
Did you notice that I used a double negative in that last sentence? I also used “ain’t”, which I actually don’t let my kids even say. Hard to believe I was a university English honors student, huh?
Just add your egg and lets not dwell on my downward slide…
Mix all of that up well.
Add flour
The recipe says to add gradually bit when have you ever known me to do anything gradually? Just toss it in there, it’ll be fine.
Scrape down the sides and make sure it is all mixed up well.
Now it has to be chiled for about half an hour. I like to put it in zipper bags for this. That way, if I get busy on other things and end up not having time to make the cookies, I can do them the following day or just pop that bag in the freezer for another day. Cookie dough freezes very well .
After its nice and chilled, turn out onto floured surface. I always line mine with waxed paper for quicker cleanup.
Sprinkle some more flour over the top so it doesn’t stick to your rolling pin. I also get a handful of flour and run it along my rolling pin as well.
Roll it out to about 1/4″
Cut out your cookies and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
Using a straw, poke two holes in each cookie.
Sprinkle with coarse decorating sugar. I am using white sugar here but you can use whatever color you like. I just like how this adds a slight glistening while not detracting from the ribbon. Bake these at 375 for seven to eight minutes.
when they are done, while still on the cookie sheet, poke the holes again with the same straw. Let cool a few minutes and then remove from the cookie sheet to allow to cool entirely.
Cut a length of ribbon and thread through both holes.
Tie in a pretty bow .
I came up with this idea from my own sick mind when my son was in Kindergarten. I made them for every member of the school staff that year.
This is proof that I really need to learn to shut my mind down from time to time.
Now look how pretty that is!
My Sweet Valentines
(makes two to three dozen cookies, dependant on the size of your cookie cutter)
2/3 C softened margarine
3/4 C granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 T milk
2 tsp vanilla
2 C plain flour
In large mixing bowl, add margarine, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well blended, light, and fluffy. Add milk, vanilla, and egg. Mix again. Add in flour and mix until well combined, scraping down the sides if need be. Chill dough for half an hour, or until easy to handle.
On flour lined surface, turn out dough. Sprinkle with more flour. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with heart shaped cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and use a drinking straw to poke two holes in each heart. Bake at 375 for seven to eight minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Remove from oven and re-poke holes with straw. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet and then remove to cool completely.
Cut lengths of ribbon (experiment until you get the right length to make a pretty bow) and thread through cooled cookies, tying into a bow.
*Note: These aren’t very sweet cookies. If you want a sweeter cookie, be more generous with your coarse sugars sprinkled over the top.
For more recipes your kids will love, visit the Southern Plate Kids Category here!
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Ah the Eighties hair…I remember it well, I did not have wings, yet (I grew up in California) I had the cholo (I think I spelled that wrong) hair…you know, REALLY high bangs, and yes Aqua Net was a staple, I think at one point I was buying it so much, that my mom probably thought about buying stock in it
~giggles~
It was so much fun though, wasn’t it? lol
Oh my gosh, you had my hairstyle Christy and I thought I was an original!!
I’m like you with vanilla – I always buy imitation vanilla flavor. No complaints here either!
The cookies look so fun with the little bows. That’s very creative and cute.
You know, I think I would be able to pull off eighties hair really well. I know this because sometimes when I have a bad hair day, I realize it’s bad because I look like I’m straight out of the eighties. Back then it would have been awesome. Nowadays, not so much…
Hey just wait, it may be all the rage soon enough and then you could just wake up and go!
Thank you, glad you like the vanilla too! Us cheapies gotta stick together! lol
A very cute story and your cookies look pretty and yummy at the same time!
Thanks Lynda!!
I hope you’re having a great day!!
How cute!!…..No the cookies silly!! lol
~snickers~
My main attractant has always been the food I am carrying!
Cute cookies. Haha I remember the eighties the clothes were horrid why on earth would anyone want to bring them back? Granted New Kids on the Block are back together with a new album and tour but still I’d rather the 50s fashions come back because I could wear them.
oh yes, I am SO with you on the retro fifties! I LOVE IT!!
Lets just start our own trend!
of course, what I really want is Donna Reed’s waist…
not happenin’
Cute cookies!
I thought the ’80s had already come back and gone again! Well, I’ll skip it this time around, too! Reminds me of being a kid in the ’80s when tie-dye and moccasins were back in some circles! I was more the preppy type!
P.S. Christy, I found Pioneer baking mix at Winn Dixie, but the store brand was a $1 cheaper so I decided to try it instead! See, you’ve taught us too well about trying the generic option!
~sniffs and blots her eyes~
I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!
The cookies are adorable =] I bet they’re yummy. I, too, could not care less about whether or not it’s real vanilla. And, really, who complains about a cookie?
I was made in the 80s so I didn’t get to experience it…I am positive I would have been fabulous at eighties hair because my hair pretty much does it on its own when I let it air dry. I love the 80s…with the exception of shoulder pads. =]
“And, really, who complains about a cookie?”
You know, you got a point there…
Ah the eighties….the music was great, the hair not so great! Um, I think we need to see a picture of those neon shoes and ballet slippers!!!
hehe
I actually have a pic of my mom wearing PURPLE Reebok high tops somewhere!
I wonder if licorice strings would work for the bows? Oh and I am a TOTAL 80’s girl too , great post
Carm
They sure would, how brilliant are you???
Get the long ones and send me a pic!
I had the exact same hair-well, variations of the same hair. I also had a bridesmaid’s dress as the Belle on the left! My Mom still uses Aqua Net, but I have retired mine. My daughter had a sleepover for her 15th in January and one of the girls was straight outta the 80’s! She had neon everywhere!! I too shall sit this fad out, but I do love the cookie idea! You are fabulous. Thanks for all the great recipes.
hehe, back in college we had an eighties night one night in my dorm. I was much older than my classmates (I started college full time when I was 23) and I knew EXACTLY how to rock the eighties.
I think I scared them…
Child of the 80’s here too, all permed, teased, & sprayed! Leggings under dresses are back too … and it looks really cute on my five-year-old.
OK … so does it make any difference if I use self-rising flour? And about how many cookies does this make? I love the bows on the cookies … my little girl will too.
Nevermind about how many this recipe makes … I just saw the 2-3 dozen depending on cookie cutter size.
‘86 Grad here. Loved seeing your dance pic! You had some swell hair but not tooooo over done. When I go shopping now I see all kinds of 80ish clothes and not always on the cuter end of the 80’s. It’s like they took the worst of the worst back then and brought it back! Cute cookies
hehe,
I have been seeing those puff dresses, too! The bubble ones.
The colors look cute on my four year old but I don’t really know if I’m prepared to see the neon at eye level!
Ahh the 80’s.. I miss it so much at times. I had a perm for part of it. It was the Disco era ya know.. 4 inch platform shoes.. the works.
The cookies look great. My nieces would love them. Some pink sprinkles or pink sugar would be cool.
oh bill…I must have a pic.
Please tell me you have a pic….
Oh Bill I loved the disco era!
Carmen I was thinking the same thing – use the red licorice strings to make the whole thing edible!
Christy I think you look precious then and now and I betcha I got ya on the hair thing anyway. Big hair was THE hair back then ya know and heck, I’m a Texas born girl too anyways!
The cookies are as sweet as you are! Thanks for the post.
Bigger the hair, closer to God! Southern women and big hair go hand in hand, don’t they?
You are so sweet!!!!! now I’m blushing. I’m gonna have to make my son read this and see that other people think his mama is nice! he thinks I am awful right now because I am making him do his homework in his room instead of in the living room where he and his sister keep getting distracted with other things…
I can hear him murmuring now about how mean I am.
Oh yeah…
Thanks for the cookie idea. I think I will share with my son’s teachers. Thinking back, the 80’s, what great years. I was in high school from 82-85. then jr college. 85-86. what great fun. To wish I was back in my 19ish years. We listen to a lot of music, and it tickles my son when i start to try to sing to those GOLDEN eighties music. It brings back so many memories. God bless and Happy Cooking
)
You know, in my mind I still feel Seventeen…just not as stupid as I was then! lol
I have been playing eighties all day since this post…..:D
I so miss my 80’s hair. I could make it big and it looked great! But, as you said, I am too old to do Big Hair again. But there is hope! I am the coordinator for my son’s 5th grade dance. The theme this year is “Totally Awesome 80’s Dance and Beach Party”. It will be the last time I can really embarrass my son and still get away with it! So BIG HAIR and Aqua-Glue, look out! I’ll be stuck in the 80’s for one more night!
BTW, the cookies look really yummy!
TTFN, Tina {];-)
~blinks~
Wait
Connor is old enough to go to a dance?
I needed to sit down before I read this…..
I can’t wait to make these for my daughter for Valentine’s Day! She will love them
She is allergic to nuts and unfortunatley it seems as if every box of Valentine’s Chocolates “May contain peanuts” or were processed in a factory with nuts! So these cookies will be a perfect gift!
Thanks!
Guilty myself of all of the big hair and neon clothes. Sigh. Now I have to buy them all over again for my daughter. You just cant beat 80’s music though.
Beautiful cookies!
I think I’ll let my daughter make these for her teacher for Valentine’s Day. I’ll put them in a pretty box with red tissue paper. Yes, she will love them, as long as she’s off her diet she started at the 1st of the year.
Wow, these cookies look yummy! Oh and being a child of the (ahem) 70’s, at least be glad you didn’t have the stick-straight-parted-down-the-middle hairstyle. In all my pictures I look like someone took an axe to my head! I’ve never been a hairspray type of girl but my mom still loves it! She was a 50’s child and can tease and spray hair with the best of them. So funny!
Love the cookie idea… will have to lift that idea from ya for sure. Ah…. the 80’s… I remember that era fondly. I too was an auqanet queen!..lol and the fan idea.. i did that to.. sometimes to a disasterous effect though!.. hehe I just adore reading your blog and saving every recipe. Thanks for being you Christy!
Being a child in the 80s I have that as my excuse for my crazy dress sense. You get a pass when you’re a kid, so it doesn’t matter how crazy I might have looked,it’s okay I was only a kid and if that fails I can blame my parents. haha!
My brother is many years older than me and I remember he had this huge can of hairspray which he’d completely cover his hair in, it was this rock hard flat top style and he had a really long fringe that he’d spray back. It looked like a wave!
Christy, I really wanted to make the m&m cookies, but what can I use instead of the Pioneer baking mix? I think when I come over there (I have flights book and I can’t wait!) this year I’m just going to have to bring a suitcase of ingredients home with me!
Oh I loved your pic! Good old Aqua Net! I remember in high school some of the girls (in the bathroom) would spray their bangs until they were wet and lean their foreheads against the wall. Oh man, those school bathrooms reeked of Aqua Net.
The cookies are adorable! I was thinking you could also use those red licorice whips for the bows- that way it’s all edible!
I want to thank you, Christy. We are on a budget (live on only DH’s income and send the boys to private school), so I try to stick to $60 a week for groceries. Your site helps me maintain that! I always thought using imitation vanilla was supposed to be a crime. A few weeks ago I ran out of the expensive “Pure Madagascar Bourbon & Tahitian Vanilla Extract” I bought last year (before the private school and budget) that cost me $15 on sale(!!) and knew I would need to replace it with something way cheaper. I was afraid to try the cheap stuff, but after seeing you use it on your site, I bought some. We can’t tell a difference! Thank you for being real and down to earth. You make me a better SAHM and wife. Here’s a great big bone-crushing Southern hug from me to you!
Oh yes!! I remember the 80’s. Only I had a teenage daughter during those days!! That stiff, stiff hair. My daughter laughs at it now, but it was no laughing matter then. I think it’s wonderful that women of all ages can get together and share over something as simple as a love of cooking and sharing recipes.
Thanks to you, I bought the generic vanilla just yesterday! So interesting how you mentioned the whole vanilla thing today. I used it in my very first cheesecake and in the whipped cream, and everything tasted just fine. I will NEVER EVER buy the fancy shmancy vanilla again!! Thank you again!
that is such a cute idea! you could also do button holes design for any other day
I absolutely love these!
Your cookies are adorable! And yes, I’ve been fearing that the 80’s have been coming back. 1. I can’t seem to find a non-country station in town that is not playing the “Hits of the 80’s” 2. I chaperoned a field trip for my son’s class and one of the mothers (she had a figure that could look good in it) was wearing a Madonna style belt with a long t-shirt. These subtle signs were pointing me to the apocalypse and now you have confirmed it! Oh, you WERE good at 80’s hair!
I’ve been having a ball reading all the comments. I was an 80’s girl too, but I don’t want to see that stuff come back! I agree that retro 50’s should be the style instead!
And as for vanilla, that is good to know. I always buy the cheap stuff too – I buy mine on the Mexican food aisle. It’s cheaper and you get a bigger bottle! At least now I don’t have to wonder if I’m missing out on anything by not buying the fancy-schmancy stuff.
Love the stories and the cookies are cute too.
Oh- and I’m a February birthday girl too!
I love this idea for the heart cookies and the licorice is a good idea too, but it’s not easy to find here, where I live. I’ve looked for it before to no avail.
I just have to mention that I have the same exact platter as you do. How cool is that? I’ve never seen another one, until I saw yours with your pretty heart cookies on it.
Duchess,
I don’t know where you get your ideas or your energy. But I love you. You are my bestest little Sister.
Madame Butterfly