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    Home » FOOD » Cookies

    Love Letter Cookies

    Published: Oct 17, 2023 by Rhonda · Leave a Comment

    Post contains Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please refer to our disclosure policy for more information.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These Love Letter Cookies are a sweet way to give your loved ones a love letter. These old-fashioned cookies are flaky, buttery, full of citrus flavor, and scrumptious, and they are very easy to make. If you are looking for a new treat to make this year for Valentine's, this is one to consider. 

    Love Letter Cookies on a white and red plate

    This is one of those vintage cookie recipes that you will be able to use throughout the year. Even though in the cookbook they are referred to as "Love Letters", you could really use them for any occasion.

    If you are looking for more old-fashioned cookies, make sure to check out our Old-Fashioned Lemon Cookies made with Bisquick, our Snickerdoodles, and our Butter Shortbread Cookies.

    Jump to:
    • 📖 The Original Receipt
    • 📖 About the Cookbook
    • 🥘Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🧾Substitutions
    • 📋Variations
    • 🍽Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • 💭Top tips
    • FAQ
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    📖 The Original Receipt

    The recipe can be located on page 29 of the Betty Crocker Cooky Book.

    The ingredients used in the original recipe are:

    • 2 cups of Gold Medal Flour
    • ½ cup of sugar
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • 1 cup butter or margarine
    • 2 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
    • finely grated rind of 1 orange
    • ½ cup commercial sour cream

    Then the cookies were baked in a HOT oven of 475 degrees and made about 4 dozen of cookies.

    📖 About the Cookbook

    If you are looking for a new cookbook that is full of vintage cookies, then this Betty Crocker Cooky Book may be worth considering.

    Home bakers back in 1963 didn't have the internet to rely on. They were self-taught and often used a pinch of this and a pinch of that. Cookbooks from that time period didn't have many pictures (if any) and definitely no in-process photos. Baking and cooking back then required using your imagination.

    🥘Ingredients

    The recipe card located at the bottom of the post contains a comprehensive list of ingredients.

    Ingredients to make Love Letter Cookies
    • All-purpose flour
    • White granulated sugar
    • Kosher salt
    • Sour cream
    • Pure vanilla extract
    • Unsalted butter
    • Lemon zest
    • Orange zest
    • Turbinado sugar (optional)

    🔪 Instructions

    The complete instructions are provided in the recipe card below.

    To create the desired shape, the dough should be flattened and cut with a pastry wheel.

    Use the pastry wheel to draw lines on the envelope.

    Here is a photo that shows the lines in more detail.

    Love Letter Cookies

    🧾Substitutions

    • Self-rising flour -If using self-rising flour, it is unnecessary to add salt.
    • Salted butter - If using salted butter, avoid adding additional salt.
    • Lite sour cream - I used regular, however, feel free to sub as needed.

    📋Variations

    • Easter - make these into fun Spring cookies by using Easter themed cookie cutters.
    • Sprinkles - add sprinkles to the tops of the cookies before baking them.
    • Hearts - to add a decorative touch, sprinkle sanded sugar on the hearts before baking.
    • Any occasion - just switch out your cookie cutters or free hand draw any design you wish.

    🍽Equipment

    One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you probably already have all of the supplies needed to make this recipe.

    Some key pieces that will definitely help it go smoother is a pastry wheel. I use mine more than I thought I would. Another piece of equipment that I have slowly been changing out in my kitchen is my bakeware. I have been switching to the Nordic Ware baking sheets and I absolutely love them. Nice and even baking and they clean up nice too.

    🥫Storage

    These will last up to five days on the counter in an airtight container. I haven't tried freezing them yet, however, I will and update this post.

    💭Top tips

    • Keep sticks of frozen butter in your freezer. Grating the frozen butter into your recipes makes a world of difference.
    • The original recipe called for an oven temp of 475. That bakes really hot, and you have to watch your cookies like crazy. I lowered it to 375 and even though it took a bit longer, they didn't burn as easily on the bottom.
    • Make sure to use the scoop with a spoon and level with a knife method when measuring out your flour.

    FAQ

    Can I use self-rising flour instead?

    Yes, you can. However, make sure to add the salt and baking powder so you get the rise you are looking for.

    Could I use icing to frost the cookies instead?

    Absolutely! You can decorate these any way you want.

    What can I use instead of parchment paper?

    You can use silicone mats to line your baking sheets instead.

    This post was originally on Modern Vintage Recipes

    📖 Recipe

    Love Letter Cookies on a white and red plate

    Love Letter Cookies

    These Love Letter Cookies are a sweet way to give your loved ones a love letter. These old-fashioned cookies are flaky, buttery, full of citrus flavor, and scrumptious, and they are very easy to make. If you are looking for a new treat to make this year for Valentine's, this is one to consider.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 7 minutes mins
    Cooling 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Baking, Cookies, Vintage Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18

    Equipment

    • Baking Sheet
    • Parchment paper
    • zester
    • Measuring cups
    • spoons
    • Mixer
    • large mixing bowl
    • Whisk
    • pastry cutter
    • Spatula
    • Rolling Pin
    • pastry wheel/small pairing knife
    • small heart shaped cookie cutter
    • Grater

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour scooped with a spoon and leveled with a knife
    • ½ cup white granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
    • 1 orange zested
    • 1 cup unsalted butter frozen and grated also 2 sticks of butter
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • turbinado sugar optional
    • sprinkles optional
    • royal icing optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
    • Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set aside.
    • In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, and salt and whisk together.
    • Next, zest in your lemon and orange. Then grate in your frozen butter.
    • Using your hands or a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until you get a nice and crumbly consistency. Then with a spatula stir in your sour cream and vanilla.
    • Using a dough hook on your mixer or a wooden spoon, mix the dough together until everything is mixed together, and it forms a ball around the hook.
    • Lightly flour your work area. Divide the dough in half. Place one half on the prepared surface and put the bowl with the other half into the fridge so it stays cold.
    • Roll the dough to roughly ⅛" thickness. Then cut out a 3" x 2" rectangle for the letter. You can use a small paring knife or a pastry wheel.
    • Then cut out a small heart for each love letter cookie you make. Using your pastry wheel, make the lines in the cookie to resemble an envelope.
    • Place the cookies on the cookie sheet and top them with either the white granulated sugar or the turbinado sugar. Then bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until the sides and bottom are lightly browned.
    • Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes.
    • When they have cooled, decorate the small hearts however you choose and attach them with a dollop of frosting or icing to the cookie.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Keep sticks of frozen butter in your freezer. Grating the frozen butter into your recipes makes a world of difference.
    • The original recipe called for an oven temp of 475. That bakes really hot, and you have to watch your cookies like crazy. I lowered it to 375 and even though it took a bit longer, they didn't burn as easily on the bottom.
    • Make sure to use the scoop with a spoon and level with a knife method when measuring out your flour.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie
    Keyword Banana Spice Cookies, Love Letter Cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Rhonda

    About Rhonda

    Rhonda is a wanna be foodie, coffee and chocolate lover, and a genealogy nerd. If shopping was a sport, she would actually set records for it. Creating recipes in her kitchen is how she relaxes. She also loves spending time with her family and getting away when she can to the lake.

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