Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

These cookies are so cute!  They are a light shortbread made with red hot candies and they are perfect for Valentine's Day.  The candies turn the cookies a fun pink color and the tiny pieces of candy in the cookie add a simple cinnamon flavor.  Give these cookies a try as something sweet for someone you love!

This recipe makes 10-12 cookies.

1 C unsalted butter, softened
1/2 C powdered sugar
2 1/4 C flour
6 TBSP crushed red hots candy
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

sugar or extra crushed red hots candy for sprinkling on top (optional)

Preheat the oven to 300.
Cream together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy.
Add the flour, candy, salt, and cinnamon and mix it until it forms course crumbs.
Add in the vanilla and stir until a dough forms.
Roll the dough out about 3/8-1/2" thick on a lightly floured surface.
Using a cookie cutter, cut shapes (in this case, hearts) out using all the dough.
Place the cookies on a cookie sheet (make two different batches).
Using a smaller cookie cutter, make indentations on the cookies. (optional)
Sprinkle lightly with sugar (optional - candy sprinkles get added after the cookies bake).
Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes.
Sprinkle with crushed red hot candy (optional).
Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.

This recipe is adapted from bakingdom.com.