Sugar Cookie Hearts

A sweet heart for your sweetheart … You’ll want to bookmark this one for Valentine’s Day. SAM

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks or 16 tablespoons)
1/2 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. With an electric mixer on medium high, cream the butter and 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and salt and mix until smooth. Add the flour and mix until a dough ball forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies 1/2 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until edges start to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.