Check out our latest magazine... Read Online

Recipe: Easy Valentine's Biscuits to Make with Kids

Love is in the air this month and Sara Whatley thinks a sweet Valentine’s biscuit is the perfect way to say I love you.

Adults and children alike relish any excuse for a celebration. St Valentine’s Day is a sweet expression of love for each other and although usually shared between adults, children love getting involved too. Mum and dad never mind being told how loved they are!

Kids will have super fun making these easy and cute decorated shortbread biscuits for friends and family. They are perfect to stack up and give as gifts or simply enjoy a plateful with loved ones.

Valentine’s Biscuits

Makes approx.: 22

INGREDIENTS:

125g (4oz) softened butter

55g (2oz) caster sugar

180g (6oz) plain flour

Optional extras: chocolate chips, orange essence, vanilla essence, freeze dried berries

ICING:

1 tbsp icing sugar

3 x 100g (3.5oz) Ready roll icing (also known as sugar paste or fondant) in pink, red and white

Icing pens

Sugar heart decorations

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5.

Beat the butter and sugar until creamed, then add the flour to make a smooth paste.

Roll out to a thickness of 1cm/1/2 inch then cut out heart shapes. Place on a greased baking tray and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Bake for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Leave on a wire rack to cool.

To decorate the cooled biscuits, roll out the different coloured icings and cut out heart shapes. Make a glue to stick on the heart shapes by mixing the icing sugar with 1tbsp of water, brush onto each biscuit then stick on the icing heart.

Finally, have fun with sticking on decorations using the glue or write messages with the icing pens.

Leave to set then devour!

More from Food and Drink

  • Recipe: Cranachan

    Cranachan is a lovely Scottish dessert which is perfect as a delicious finale for a Burns Night supper. This recipe uses half-fat crème fraîche to lighten the cream mixture and flaked almonds for extra crunch

  • Recipe: Eggs Benedict

    Start the weekend the right way by making the perfect eggs benedict – wonderfully warming for an indulgent winter brunch

  • Recipe: Tiramisu Bread & Butter Pudding

    A feast of flavours to satisfy those sweet cravings, this is a belter of a bread and butter pudding, which really packs a punch! Perfect for Christmas gatherings

  • Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate & Almonds

    Brussels sprouts – they’re a festive classic that usually divides people. Yet with a simple addition of pomegranate and flaked almonds, even the most doubting of Christmas dinner diners could be won over by this recipe

  • Recipe: Chocolate, Banana & Pecan Cookies

    These scrumptious fudgy cookies are a decadent treat for the whole family – delicious after a brisk autumn walk with a warming cup of cocoa

  • Recipe: Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pies

    These warming and hearty fillers have succulent chicken, chestnut mushrooms and artichokes in a delicious creamy sauce flavoured with mustard – topped off with puff pastry. Tasty!

  • Kids Zone: Make Your Own Festive Treats!

    Join Sara Whatley in making some yummy festive recipes that the kids (and adults!) will some yummy festive recipes that the kids (and adults!) will love getting stuck into

  • Recipe: Hearty Beef & Pumpkin Stew

    This is the perfect, homely dinner to look forward to as the autumn nights draw in. Adele Trathan explains how to make this delicious casserole that is baked and served straight from the pumpkin

  • Recipe: Autumn Minestrone Soup

    This is a hearty autumn or early winter version of Minestrone Soup served with a lovely homemade pesto. Containing such a variety of vegetables – it will definitely up your 5-a-day quota

  • Recipe: William Shatner’s Cappuccino Muffins!

    Even in outer space, there’s nothing quite like a cappuccino muffin. Star Trek legend William Shatner goes boldly into the kitchen and delivers the goods...

  • Kids Zone: Apples, Apples and more Apples

    This month Sara Whatley and her family have gone mad for apples

  • Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes

    Deliciously light and fluffy, these red velvet cupcakes with a gorgeous soft cheese frosting are ideal for an afternoon tea – they are sure to impress your guests

  • Recipe: Saffron & Lemon Chicken Joojeh Kebabs

    This probably features on the menu of every Persian restaurant in the world, the marinade of yogurt and lemon juice tenderises the meat beautifully. This simplified version can be made at home in a conventional oven or grill if you don’t have a barbecue

  • South Carolina BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Try this winning BBQ chicken recipe from Grillstock founders Jon Finch and Ben Merrington and learn how to make both an authentic South Carolina BBQ sauce, and their secret BBQ rub.

  • Weddings: The Food of Love

    From a vegan feast to sausage, mash and gravy, what will you serve at your wedding? Sara Whatley explores the world of wedding catering

  • Vino, Vidi, Vici: The Vineyards, Breweries & Distilleries of Sussex

    James Forryan investigates the history of producing wine, beer and spirits in Sussex, and how we should all say 'Cheers!' to its great success...

  • Recipe: Raspberry Blancmange

    Based on a retro classic, this blancmange is a far cry from its wobbly 1970s reputation – instead, this is a light and creamy raspberry and almond dessert

  • Recipe: Sizzling Spare Ribs with BBQ Sauce

    The perfect spare ribs for your summer barbeque!

  • Highweald Estate: Wines of Outstanding Natural Beauty

    One of the wonders of Sussex is the capacity to create food and drink of outstanding quality and Highweald Wine is one such example, producing English Sparking Wines of exceptional standard – Robert Veitch went to find out more, and enjoy a glass or two

  • Recipe: Salted Caramel Praline Brownie

    Baker and author of Postal Bakes, Lucy Burton, will have you drooling at these divine brownies.