Pope's Valentine Cookies

Recipe View Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets. (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Gradually add the sifted confectioners' sugar, mixing until fully incorporated. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Add the sifted flour, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until just combined; be careful not to overmix. The dough should be smooth and velvety. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. (7 minutes)

Recipe View Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving a small space between each cookie. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Repeat with the remaining dough. Re-roll scraps as needed. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. The cookies should remain pale. (12 minutes)

Recipe View Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. (15 minutes)