Freshly baked homemade cookies are a great way to spread love around on
Valentine's Day. This recipe features heart-shaped cookies that taste every
bit as good as they look.

Cookie Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 cups all-purpose flour

Glaze Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) package (2 cups) real semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening

Combine all cookie ingredients except flour in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour. Continue beating until well mixed. Divide dough in half; wrap each half in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate dough 2 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough, one-half at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out cookies with 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cutter. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely.

Melt chocolate and shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted (4 to 6 minutes). Remove pan from heat. Dip half of each heart into chocolate. Place onto waxed paper-lined cookie sheets; refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Store refrigerated. Makes three dozen cookies. Recipe courtesy of landolakes.com.

All of us at Chop on the Block wish you a romantic and delightful Valentine's day!