Heart Cookies are delightful, buttery cut-out cookies perfect for any celebration of love or special occasion. These cookies are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, thanks to their charming heart shapes and colorful frosting. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just to show someone you care, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and warm hearts. Let’s dive into how to make these delectable treats!
Why You’ll Love This Heart Cookies
You will adore these heart-shaped cookies for a multitude of reasons. First, they are incredibly versatile and can be decorated to match any occasion, making them ideal for Valentine’s Day cookies. Next, they offer a wonderful combination of soft, buttery texture and sweet frosting that melts in your mouth. With their charming presentation, they make for perfect cute heart cookies for gifts. Plus, they are straightforward to make, even for beginners, which makes them great easy heart cookie recipes. Finally, they can be a fun family activity, bringing everyone together in the kitchen!
Ingredients for Heart Cookies
Gather these items:
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- Pink food coloring (as needed)
- Red food coloring (as needed)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
How to Make Heart Cookies Step-by-Step
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 2: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until fluffy and pale.
- Step 3: Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Step 4: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, mixing continuously.
- Step 5: Shape the dough into two flattened discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 7: Lightly flour a surface and roll out one disc to about 1/8-inch thick.
- Step 8: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
- Step 9: Place the cut cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Step 10: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on baking sheets.
- Step 11: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, then beat until fluffy.
- Step 12: Divide frosting into three bowls. Add pink food coloring to one bowl and red to another.
- Step 13: Frost the cooled cookies with colored frostings and decorate with sprinkles.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Heart Cookies
Keep these in mind:
- For best results, chill the dough before rolling out.
- Use fresh ingredients for optimal flavor.
- Adjust food coloring to achieve desired shades.
- Consider using different heart cookie decorating ideas to make your cookies stand out.
- Try adding chocolate chips or nuts for a twist on the classic recipe.
Best Ways to Serve Heart Cookies
These cookies are delightful served as a sweet ending to a romantic dinner or as a fun treat at a party. Pair them with a glass of milk or a cup of tea for a cozy experience. They also make perfect love cookies for gifting to friends, family, or that special someone!
How to Store and Reheat Heart Cookies
Store your heart cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, microwave for a few seconds or enjoy them at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Cookies
What’s the secret to perfect Heart Cookies?
The secret lies in properly chilling the dough before rolling it out. This helps maintain their shape during baking, resulting in perfectly formed heart-shaped cookies.
Can I make Heart Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to a week. Just roll it out and cut the cookies when you’re ready to bake.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Heart Cookies?
To avoid common pitfalls, make sure to measure your ingredients accurately and not overmix the dough. Additionally, ensure you chill the dough as instructed to prevent spreading.
Variations of Heart Cookies You Can Try
There are many fun variations to consider! You can create chocolate heart cookies by adding cocoa powder to the dough. Another option is to use flavored extracts like almond or lemon for a unique twist. For a festive touch, consider adding edible glitter or using decorative heart cookies to impress your guests.
For more information about baking, check out this baking resource. If you want to learn more about the benefits of baking with family, visit our about page or contact us for more tips!
// Image view tracking for engagement
document.querySelector(‘.featured-image-container img’).addEventListener(‘load’, function() {
// Track image load for Discover optimization
console.log(‘[DISCOVER-IMG-LOADED]’);
});
Delicious Heart Cookies for Your Sweet Celebrations
These Heart Cookies are delightful, buttery cut-out cookies perfect for any celebration of love or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- Pink food coloring (as needed)
- Red food coloring (as needed)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until fluffy and pale.
- Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, mixing continuously until fully incorporated.
- Shape the dough into two flattened discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour a surface and roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8-inch thick.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
- Place the cut cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on baking sheets.
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, then beat until fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into three bowls. Add pink food coloring to one bowl and red to another.
- Frost the cooled cookies with colored frostings and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough before rolling out.
- Use fresh ingredients for optimal flavor.
- Adjust food coloring to achieve desired shades.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Leave a Reply