It was just New Year's Eve and now... now it's Valentine's Day Eve.
I'm into it though! I am unashamedly one of those girls who gets especially excited about February 14th, probably because it's three days after my birthday which really means a four day long celebration of presents, balloons, sprinkles, and cake.
Valentine's Day does have some major strings attached to it though, doesn't it? It's the one day every year when I forget all reason and sink into the pressure. You know what I'm talking about it. That compulsion to do super important things like:
Send flowers to everyone I know. (Tulips. Always.)
Buy complicated frilly underthings.
Bake heart-shaped things. And things that are red velvet. And pink velvet.
... and covered in lots and lots of heart-sprinkles.
Make reservations at a fancy restaurant. Hope for diamonds. Drink champagne. Watch every Nicholas Sparks movie I own.
Yes, in that order.
Buy conversation hearts. Wear sparkly heels somewhere. Anywhere. The grocery store.
Expect a fancy date. And romance. Stress over presents. Buy unnecessary greeting cards instead of just saying straight to someone's face, "Hey. I love you. You make my life fantastic."
This year I'm keeping it simple.
Instead of stressing over presents (what present sums up 365 days the most? what present subtly says, hey, no big deal, but we've been dating almost four years, can you please put a ring on it?) I'm going with what he's actually stated in -very specific words- that he wants. Something useful. And manly. Something that is so NOT Valentine's Day that it's totally perfect.
Fancy dates? Dinner? Can I tell you. Our first Valentine's Day we went to the Olive Garden.
... and we waited an hour and 45 minutes.
That's love. For real.
But we've put in our time and this year we're keeping it simple. Old-school even. Movie night! And later... an aquarium date. Yeah I said it.
Oh and the sugar and butter situation? You will not find me painting plastic candy molds with chocolate this Valentine's Day, or trying to figure out mini heart-shaped springform pans. No. Not this year. Chocolate chip cookies. Rice Krispie treats. Snickerdoodles. Classics.
So this Valentine's Day... don't stress it. Don't watch The Notebook. Stay away from the frilly underthings. Relax on the red velvet. Bake tiny batches of cookies, give someone a hug or high five, and be thankful you're not a new couple at the Olive Garden. Seriously.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Printable Recipe
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 heaping tablespoon beaten egg (I know. It's awkward.)
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
A pinch of salt
2 tablespoons sugar + 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon for rolling in
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, oil, granulated sugar, powdered sugar and egg, until combined.
In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and stir until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until no clumps of flour remain. Dough will be slightly soft and tacky, but don't worry... it'll turn into big fluffy cookies in a second.
Like so.
In a small bowl, stir together the 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon. Divide dough into four parts. Roll each part into a ball, then roll in cinnamon-sugar and place on the baking sheet. Flatten with your hand or with the bottom of a glass dipped in cinnamon-sugar.
Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until done. Let cool on baking sheet and share them with somebody you love. Bonus points if it's yourself.
Makes 4 cookies.
Source: Adapted from my snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies for two recipes.
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter, oil, granulated sugar, powdered sugar and egg, until combined.
In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and stir until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until no clumps of flour remain. Dough will be slightly soft and tacky, but don't worry... it'll turn into big fluffy cookies in a second.
Like so.
Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until done. Let cool on baking sheet and share them with somebody you love. Bonus points if it's yourself.
Makes 4 cookies.
Source: Adapted from my snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies for two recipes.
