<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-003.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-867" alt="valentine cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-003.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;">One of my absolute favorite things about being a mom is making treats for O and her friends.  They tell me that public schools these days don't allow for homemade treats.  I'll take issue with that in another post.  Until then, though, I am going to delight in making adorable sweets for O's class.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-016.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-869" alt="heart cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-016.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I used a modified version of <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/824-shortbread-cookies">my favorite shortbread recipe</a>, but I eliminated the coconut to avoid allergy issues.  After I baked the hearts, I made <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/316888/royal-icing-for-sugar-cookies">royal icing </a>for decorating.  Because I was baking for little kids, I used pasteurized egg whites, but you can also use meringue powder (found at craft stores like Michaels).  One note of caution: it seems that the tapioca starch in organic powdered sugar turns icing brown; conventional powdered sugar uses corn starch instead.  Should you choose to dye the icing, it isn't an issue, but if you are looking for a bright white color, go with conventional instead.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-007.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-868" alt="candy heart cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-007.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There's a Spanish lesson in this box as well!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-020.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-870" alt="candy heart cookies, spanish" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-020.jpg" width="464" height="500" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">O's classmates were delighted by the bright pink sweets.  Now if I could just get rid of the extras...any takers?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-025.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-871" alt="valentines and cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/turkey-sun-supper-025.jpg" width="500" height="331" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Of course, we couldn't forget O's besties.  They are worthy of a handmade valentine and a cookie, too.  She's got quite the artistic touch, don't you think?  (We made heart shaped envelopes from <a href="http://www.tothemoonandbackblog.net/2014/02/construction-paper-valentine-heart.html">To The Moon and Back</a>, and O decorated them with stamps, stickers, and markers.)</p>