Secret Message Decoder Valentine Cookies

I thought these 'decoder cookies' looked so cool!  I was excited to try them out!

We started with Matthew sorting Jolly Rancher candies into their color groups.
{you could also use lifesavers} 

And smashing the candy into small pieces - his favorite part.

We used the red candies for the decoder cookies and are saving the other colors for another Valentine treat you will see in an upcoming post.

• Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe {I'm not posting the one I used because I found they came out on the hard side.  I've yet to find a favorite go-to sugar cookie recipe so if you have one let me know!}
• Prepare your baking sheet by covering with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray {be sure to spray or your cookies will stick!}
• Roll your dough to 1/4" thick and cut out with large heart cutter and place on baking sheet.
• Cut out the center with a slightly smaller heart cutter and remove the dough.
• Fill the center with your crushed candy.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden on the edges.
• Cool completely and store in airtight container.



Now for the FUN part!

Write out a secret message in thin light blue pen and then scribble and doodle all over it with pink, red or purple pen.

Use your decoder cookie window to read the secret message!

SO COOL!!!

This was a fun after dinner activity.  Each of us picked one family member and wrote out a secret Valentine message to that person.  Then we all exchanged the messages and read them to each other with the decoder cookie.  It was a great way to have the kids say something nice about one another and it provided a yummy dessert!