You are Too Stinkin' Cute!

For years, I've thought of making skunk cookies for Valentine's Day, but never really questioned why. It dawned on me not long ago...Pepe LePew, the most romantic of all Looney Tunes characters.
(Unless, of course, you count Yosemite Sam.)

You could make these cookies into a "Love Stinks" theme for Valentine's Day, but I like the love sayings..."Too Stinkin' Cute," "You're Odor-able," "Scent-sational valentine." Also, these would make really cute valentine cookies for kids..."for my little stinker."

Even if you don't make the cookies with the words to go with them, these heart skunk cookies are perfectly sweet on their own...and easy to make. I think Pepe and his kitty friend would approve.

To make Valentine Skunk Cookies, you'll need:

• cut-out cookies, heart-shaped
• royal icing, tinted with AmeriColor Super Black, Bright White, Sky Blue
• coupler and icing tips: #1 & 2
• squeeze bottles
• disposable icing bags
• toothpicks
• large heart sprinkles
• small, clean paintbrush
• meringue powder
• white sanding sugar

Use a #2 tip to outline the cookies with black icing. Reserve some of this icing for piping details later.

Thin the black icing with water, a bit at a time, stirring with a silicone spatula, until it is the consistency of a thick syrup. You'll want to drop a "ribbon" of icing back into the bowl and have it disappear in a count of "one thousand one, one thousand two." Four is too thick, one is too thin. Count of 2-3 is good. Cover with a damp dishcloth and let sit for several minutes.

Stir the icing gently with a spatula, then pour into a squeeze bottle. Flood the cookies with the thinned icing, using a toothpick to guide to the edges and pop any large air bubbles. Let the cookies sit for at least one hour.

After an hour or more, pipe the white detail outline over the black icing, using a #2 tip. Thin the white icing as above, then flood the white outline.

Switch the tip on the black icing to a #1 and pipe on ears. Add a bit of icing to the back of a large heart sprinkle and add for a nose. Use a #1 tip to add eyes with blue icing.

Let the icing dry uncovered for 6-8 hours or overnight.

The next day, mix 1/4 teaspoon each meringue powder and water. Brush the mixture onto the white portion of the skunk face. Sprinkle on the sanding sugar; shake off the excess.

Do you guys love Valentine's Day as much as I do? I think it has to be my favorite cookie season! ♥

Cheers to Pepe! ♥