Double-decker, Stripey, Valentine Cookies

I have a deep love for the horizontal stripe. I know, I know, they are not figure-flattering. So, how about if we EAT the horizontal stripes, instead of wear them? That won't make us look fat, will it?

{Don't answer that.}

These are some of the simplest cookies to make. And what makes them extra special is that they're double-decker! The cookies are just attached with a bit of royal icing...it's like yummy, yummy glue.

To make the cookies, you'll need:

square and small heart cookies
royal icing, tinted with AmeriColor Super Red, Bright White and your choice of stripe color (I used turquoise, egg yellow, regal purple, and super black.)
disposable icing bags
coupler and icing tips (#3 & #2)
squeeze bottles
toothpicks

First, use a #3 tip to outline the square cookie. I used a #3 here because I really wanted the outline to show. Switch the tip to a #2 and outline the hearts in red.

Go ahead and save some of this piping consistency red icing. You won't need it until the next day. You can just plop the icing bag right in your fridge.

Thin the red icing with water, a little at a time, stirring gently with a rubber spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup. (Here is a video I made a few years ago showing how I do it.) Cover with a damp dish towel and let sit for several minutes.

Stir gently with a rubber spatula to pop any air bubbles that might have formed. Pour into a squeeze bottle.

Fill the hearts with the flood icing, using a toothpick to guide to edges and pop large air bubbles. Set aside to dry overnight.

Thin the white icing and the colors for the stripes, using the method described above. Transfer to squeeze bottles.

Working 6 cookies at a time, flood the square cookies with the white icing. Guide to the edges and spread with a toothpick; pop large air bubbles.

{We're working 6 cookies at a time here to give the white a few minutes to set. It helps prevent bleeding. If you wait too long, though, the icing won't lie flat on the base color and will be raised up.}

Starting with the first cookie flooded, add stripes in the colored icing.

Let the cookies dry overnight.

The next day, remove the reserved piping icing from the fridge. I like to let it come to room temperature, but you don't have to. You may need to remove the tip and push a toothpick through if the tip is clogged.

Squeeze a little of the icing on the back of the small heart cookie. You don't need much, and you don't want it to ooze out the sides.

Gently press it onto the square cookie. Let dry for about 30 minutes to an hour to set.

So simple. And perfect for sharing with your valentine.

Now...you must (MUST!) go see all of the treats linked up to Shelly's valentine party. No, really...you must. I'm watching you.

Just look at all of these amazing valentine treats...