Tools and Materials

• Sugar crystals (available in baking-supply stores)
• Toothpicks
• Powdered food color
• Sugar Cookie Dough
• Chocolate Cookie Dough
• Gingerbread Cookie Dough
• Egg whites
• Whisk
• Pastry brush

Sugared Heart Cookies How-To

1. Sugar crystals come in a variety of sizes. To dye them, dip a toothpick into a small vial of powdered food color and mix it into the sugar; start with a bit, and add more to intensify the shade.

2. The dough was cut with a heart cookie cutter, and then baked and cooled. Egg whites are the glue that adheres the sugar to the hearts. Whisk together a couple of egg whites, or use powdered whites (according to package instructions) if you're concerned about consuming raw eggs. Use a 1/2-inch pastry brush to coat the cookie with the whites.

3. Sprinkle the sugar generously over the cookies while whites are still wet; let stand for about 25 minutes, and then use a dry brush to gently whisk away any stray grains.