Valentine Surprise Cookies

Photographs: Claire Bogusz

Text: Claire Bogusz

Who doesn't love a little surprise when it comes in cookie form? These rich chocolate sugar cookies are decorated to look like a love letter, and reveal a sprinkle surprise when broken! Easy to make and fun to do with kids and loved ones this Valentine's Day!

Valentine Surprise Chocolate Cookies

(Makes 3-4 large cookies)

Ingredients for the cookie dough:

175 g softened butter

200 g granulated sugar

1 egg, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla flavouring (vanilje aroma)

188 g flour (hvedemel)

63 g cocoa powder (kakaopulver)

1 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

Ingredients for the royal icing:

30 g liquid pasteurised egg whites (æggehvider)

250 g powdered sugar (flormelis)

1 tsp vanilla flavouring (vanilje aroma)

Method for the cakes:

#1 In a large bowl using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter for

1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth.

#2 Add granulated sugar and beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

#3 Beat in egg and vanilla. Scrape down sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

#4 Sift flour and cocoa together in a medium bowl. Whisk in baking powder and salt until

combined.

#5 On low speed, mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined.

#6 Divide dough into two equal parts. Roll each portion onto a piece of baking paper until

the dough is about 6 mm thick. Stack rolled out portions of dough (baking paper in

between) onto a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

#7 Once chilled, preheat oven to 176°C. Line baking sheet with baking paper.

#8 Remove dough from refrigerator and cut rectangles out of the dough. Each cookie will

consist of three pieces you need to cut out a bottom solid rectangular layer, a middle

rectangular layer with a 'window' cutout (see picture), and another solid rectangular

layer.

#9 Transfer cut pieces of dough onto a lined baking sheet.

#10 Bake cookies for 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then

carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Method For the royal icing:

#1 Pour egg whites and vanilla flavour into a large bowl. Using an electric or stand mixer,

mix on low while gradually adding powdered sugar.

#2 Once all powdered sugar is incorporated, beat mixture on high for 3 minutes.

#3 Pour royal icing from the bowl into a pastry bag and tie off the opening.

Method To assemble cookies:

#1 Place one solid rectangular cookie on a flat surface. Make a very small cut on the

pointed end of your pastry bag, and pipe icing around the outer edge of your cookie.

#2 Place the rectangular cookie with a 'window' cutout on top of the bottom layer, and

press down gently to "glue" the two layers together. Fill the rectangular window with

sprinkles. You can also include a little love note written on a small piece of baking

paper!

#3 Pipe icing around the outer edge of the second cookie.

#4 Place third solid rectangular cookie on top of the second cookie, pressing down gently

to glue the three cookie layers together.

#5 Pipe royal icing to completely cover the top cookie layer.

#6 Allow several hours (or overnight) for the royal icing to dry and harden completely.

Once it's dry, you can decorate your rectangular cookie to look like an envelope use

edible markers or a paintbrush dipped in a tiny bit of food colouring!

#7 Once your decorative touches have had time to dry, have fun "opening up" your

envelope break the cookies in half to reveal a colourful sprinkle surprise!