Featured Recipe: The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things

It’s officially February and love is in the air. Whether you plan to stay in and cook a delicious meal with the one you love or brave the crowds to go out on the town this Valentine’s Day, we hope that you have a very special one.

This year, we wanted to share a delicious Valentine’s Day cookie recipe in the hopes that you will enjoy it as much as we do. Take the time to show your love for the people around you and let them know you care. We hope you can brighten someone’s day with some homemade Honey Valentine Cookies.

Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at the National Honey Board!

Honey Valentine Cookies

Makes 4 cookies

• 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2-1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
• Powdered sugar

With an electric mixer, beat butter, honey and almond extract until mixture is light and fluffy. Add flour, a cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in almonds. Shape 1/2-cup portions of dough into heart shapes, no thicker than 1/2-inch, on ungreased baking sheet. Decorate as desired. Bake at 300°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until edges brown. Cool 5 minutes and remove from pan.

Tip: Decorating tips: Paint a design with simple egg yolk paint. Remove membrane from egg yolk; mix with 1/2 teaspoon water and enough red food color to attain desired shade of red. Paint design on cookie using colored yolk. Or place a small doily on cookie and, using a stiff brush, work colored yolk through the cutouts to create a lacy effect. Create a design using silver, white or colored candy sprinkles or beads. Crimp edges of heart; make a design using tines of fork, a knife, spatula or spoon. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Nutrition: 878 Calories * 43.9 g Fat Total * 11.8 g Protein * 96 mg Cholesterol * 114.9 g Carbohydrates * 356 mg Sodium * 2.4 g Dietary Fiber *