Thyme In The Mountains -- Valentine Story and Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

This years' Valentine gift is not about candy or flowers, chocolate or romance. My Valentine gift this year is the genuine love and adoration shared between my son and my daughter that in turn has stolen my heart.

My daughter recently experienced her first best-friend betrayal . Her perspective of friendship and honor has been shattered. It is heart-wrenching to watch. As her mother, of course, I am on the alert and falling all over myself to bring her some sort of comfort, although I know through experience (unfortunately) that time alone will dull the pain. Helpless and frustrated, I wait for time to march on...

Along comes (unexpectedly) her older brother. Although they have always been close, because of their 7-year age difference, it never occurred to me that the comfort and guidance she needed would come from him. He is grown, married, working and going to school and has small children of his own (making 'Grandma' my new favorite word!) and as you can imagine has a very busy life.

I'm not sure what words of wisdom he shared with her, or was it the fact that he took time out of his busy-ness to help her, but you could almost visibly see the burden lift from her shoulders.

Her eyes are sparkly again...from happiness, not tears! Although, the wound is far from healed, there is a new attitude of hopefulness in her that is so heartwarming, it brings tears to my eyes.

Le's remember the true Valentines in our lives, they are everywhere if we look for them. Bake them up something special to show your gratitude. These are chocolate shortbread hearts for my sweet, chocoholic daughter and my kind and endearing son. I hope you try them.

Chocolate Shortbread

1/2 C. butter or margarine, softened

1 C. brown sugar, packed

2/3 C. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp. instant coffee crystals (optional)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbsp. corn syrup

1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

Directions

*Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheet with parchment.

*In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter on medium high speed for 30 seconds.

*Add sugar, cocoa powder, coffee (if using), baking soda, cinnamon and corn syrup.

*Beat until well incorporated, scraping bowl when needed.

*Add flour in 1/4 cup increments, blending each well before adding the next

*Roll and cut dough into desired shapes.

*Bake 7-9 minutes depending on thickness, just until the edges are firm.

*Let cool on baking sheet 3 minutes, before removing to wire rack to cool completely before decorating as desired.

TIP: By the way, this dough freezes very well and can be used as a cookie crust for a pie.

I will share a wonderful pie filling to pair with this crust next time!

Enjoy, and share the love!