Thoroughly mix the first five ingredients. Add one to two drops of the red food coloring and blend to a light pink. Blend in flour, soda, and a Tartar cream. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
Heat oven to 375°F.
Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured pastry cloth or mat, roll out each dough round to about 3/16" thickness.
Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out heart shapes– sprinkle half of each heart with sanding sugar.
Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes until light brown on the edges. Allow to cool.
Meanwhile, melt chocolate in a small stainless bowl, double-boiler style – dip or brush melted chocolate on the plain half of each cookie.
Place on wax paper to set. Seek out some Valentines and make their day.