DIY Animal Cookie Valentine

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My kids adore handing out Valentines to their classmates at school! I always have mixed emotions of wanting something simple yet unique. This year I came up with a fun twist on those cute pink and white sprinkled animal cookies. I’ve included a couple of options AND a free printable!!

Ever come up with a fun craft idea in the middle of the night and just can’t wait until morning to see if it’s successful?? Well, this was me the other day with these cookies! I was so excited to see that it worked out like I thought.

In wanting to keep things a bit easier on myself, I decided to use a cookie mix instead of making the cookies from scratch. I also had these fun colorful sprinkles on hand as well as these animal cookie cutters (here is an option if you’re looking for a set). Perfect!

After the cookies were baked and cooled, I mixed up my icing. Here’s the recipe:

1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2.5-3 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon almond (or lemon) flavoring

Mix together. Use whatever flavoring you prefer. Almond is a favorite in our home. It should look like the thickness of gravy. Add more sugar or milk depending. With the milk, a little goes a long way. Divide and add a drop of red coloring to get your pink icing.

Using a spoon, drizzle the frosting onto the cookies while on a cookie rack. You can use the spoon to spread the icing around so to cover the entire thing.

Let the icing drip for awhile. Once dripping has slowed, add your sprinkles.

I just loved how they turned out!!

I created a printable to go with the cookies and packaged them up in these clear cellophane bags and tied it up with coordinating bakers twine.

I adore the monkey wearing glasses!

Now, I totally get if you don’t want to bake the cookies and make this Valentine even easier! So here is another option, using the packaged cookies. I found these binder paper bags at a local craft store a long time ago. Of course, I can’t find them again! Brown paper goody bags would also be super cute!