For Valentines or Palentines day! I made a dozen of these to give to all of my friends this year <3.

recipe credits: american girl baking cookbook

yields: about 2 dozen cookies

ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

jam of your choosing (chocolate also works)

directions

preheat oven to 350 (remember always preheat your oven first so that you don't have to wait after the batter is ready!)

line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper

whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. set aside.

in an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy and pale. (takes about 2-3 minutes) add the orange zest, vanilla and almond extract until combined. (remember after mixing something always scrape down the sides of the bowl!)

slowly add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture on medium speed. mix until blended.

scoop a rounded tablespoon of dough, and put in down on the parchment paper.

dip your thumb in a bit of flour and use your thumb to make a V shaped indent, that kind of looks like a heart. fill the indents with the  jam or the melted chocolate of your choosing.

bake cookies until lightly browned, about 18 minutes. don't burn yourself taking them out, and let cool 10 minutes before eating.

enjoy!

~halley halleylikethecomet