Rose Water Scented Cookie Hearts

These light, sweet cookies are flavored with Rose Water, so you can taste the romance in every bite. Involve the kids in the decorating to make it a family affair and then pair with a glass of champagne after their bedtime. Recipe courtesy of Nielsen-Massey.
Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup superfine sugar (purchase or process granulated sugar for 20 seconds in a food processor) (or use your favorite sugar substitute)
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 3 1/4 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 5 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Rose Water
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, for dusting work surface (or use your favorite sugar substitute)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, for dusting work surface

Rose Glaze and Rose Piping Icing

• 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar (or use your favorite sugar substitute)
• 1 tablespoon meringue powder
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Rose Water (may substitute with Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract)
• Variety of gel food colors (natural)

Directions
Position oven rack in the center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line two large, heavy light-colored baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt until blended; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add butter, sugar, cream, Vanilla Extract and Rose Water; beat with a handheld mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to medium-low; add eggs one at a time and beat after each addition. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the dry ingredients one half at a time.
Divide dough into two even pieces, press each piece into a disk shape, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour. Dough should be cool and firm but easy to work with.
In a small bowl, whisk confectioners’ sugar and flour until blended; set aside. Working with one piece of dough at a time, place on a clean, dusted surface. Roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut heart shapes and transfer with a thin offset metal spatula to prepared cookie sheets. For even baking, do not overcrowd cookies. Gather remaining dough, cover with plastic and chill. Continue with second chilled dough.
For best results, bake one sheet pan at a time until done, about 10 minutes; remove and place cookies on wire racks to cool. Decorate and store in an airtight container.
Rose Glaze and Rose Piping Icing
​In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and meringue powder. Add water and Rose Water, stir until smooth. Glaze cookies in desired colors and set aside to dry before piping. For the piping icing, remake the glaze recipe and add additional confectioners’ sugar, one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Divide icing into small bowls; add desired gel colors. Select pastry tips, prepare pastry bags and creatively pipe icing onto glazed cookies.