Spread the love with our Heart Shaped Cookies! These sweet treats are baked to perfection, offering a delightful combination of buttery flavor and a tender texture.
When Valentine’s Day rolls around (and it always does) I like making cookies that taste great and also catch the eye. That’s what these Heart Shaped Cookies are all about!
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, or any day you want to spread some love, these cookies are mildly sweet, with a soft and chewy texture and a tender crumble that melts in your mouth. They remind me a lot of shortbread, but moister.
Their adorable heart shape makes them irresistible and perfect for sharing with someone special or treating yourself! Heart cookies are a classic and we’re going to make some delicious ones today.
Baking Heart Shaped Cookies is about crafting a loving gesture that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at cookie-making for the first time, these heart-shaped delights are sure to bring joy and smiles.
So, grab your cookie cutter, preheat your oven, and let’s spread some love through the magic of baking!
Make sure you save that recipe card. You’re going to want to keep this one!
Common Questions About Heart-Shaped Cookies
Can I Use Different Flavors Other Than Almond or Vanilla Extract?
Certainly! Exploring different flavors can add a unique and personal touch to your heart-shaped sugar cookies. Lemon juice is a great option for a citrusy twist, perfect for those who enjoy a tangy flavor.
You can also try using extracts like orange or peppermint for a different taste experience. Remember, the key here is to balance the flavors, so start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste.
Can I Decorate These Cookies?
Decorating these cookies is where the real fun begins! Royal icing is a popular choice for creating intricate designs and adding vibrant colors to your heart-shaped cookies. You can also use powdered sugar mixed with a bit of milk or raw egg whites to make a simple yet elegant glaze.
For a more festive look, sprinkle them with colorful sprinkles, or use melted dark chocolate for a rich, decadent finish. If you’re making these for Valentine’s Day, red food coloring or pink sprinkles can add a lovely touch.
Don’t forget to use your heart cookie cutters to achieve that cute heart shape!
How Do I Prevent the Dough from Sticking?
To ensure your rolled-out dough doesn’t stick to your work surface or rolling pin, lightly flouring the surface is the best way to go. This will make it easier to roll the dough to your desired thickness and cut out the perfect heart shapes.
Parchment paper is also an excellent tool to prevent sticking and makes transferring the cookies to an ungreased cookie sheet a breeze. A silicone baking mat can be another helpful piece of equipment to keep your cookies from sticking.
Storage
Bust out the red icing. Get the kids involved in decorating! Valentine’s Day is all about making memories and these cookies will help with that.
Refrigerator
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge if not baking immediately.
Freezer
Freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container, separated by sheets of parchment paper.
Tips
The dough also makes great Christmas cookies, but we’ll worry about later, haha! You’re probably looking for Valentine’s Day cookies and that’s what we’re about today.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cut-out dough for 15 minutes before baking to keep its shape.
- Even Baking: Bake one baking sheet at a time for even cooking.
- Watch the Oven: Avoid over-baking to maintain the pale color of the cookies.
- Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Use Cornstarch (not cornmeal): Cornstarch gives these cookies their tender texture. It’s the soft, powdery stuff, not to be confused with coarse corn meal!
Ingredients
You could also add some festive sprinkles to this list. Maybe a little red and white? Whatever you think best for your heart shaped Valentine cookies!
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs
- Almond or vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Table salt
How to Make Heart Shaped Cookies
I’ll leave what goes on top of the cookies to you. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have some of the best tasting, fun cookies you’ve had in a while!
- Line several baking sheets with parchment. Set aside.
- Beat the cold butter in the mixing bowl until creamy. If you have the butter paddle beater – that will work best.
- Add the sugar and beat until smooth.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.
- Slowly stir in the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Once mostly incorporated, increase the speed and beat until smooth. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Transfer the dough onto a smooth (lightly floured) work surface.
- Use a rolling pin to work the dough to a flat, ¼” thick. Then use the cookie cutters to cut out the cookies.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and then chill in the refrigerator for 15 min.
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Once the cut dough has chilled, bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes or until the edges appear to have set. They will not be golden – they will maintain their pale color.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before storing or decorating.
- Once the cookies are cool – you can stack them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for several days. OR you can decorate with a frosting or icing of your choosing.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need
Remember, you want a lightly floured surface to roll out these cookies. The last thing you want is to have them stick!
- Mixing Bowl or Stand Mixer
- Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter
- Rolling Pin
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat
- Wire Cooling Rack
What to Serve With Heart Shaped Cookies
Serve them alongside a kiss on the cheek to your loved one. This is a time to share the love, right?
- A cup of hot tea or coffee.
- A glass of cold milk.
- Alongside a bowl of fresh fruit.
- As part of a Valentine’s Day dessert platter.
Why You Should Make Heart-Shaped Cookies
I’ve got cookie recipes for every season! For me, the best results from the holidays come when I have yummy food to enjoy with my friends and family.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: Ideal for Valentine’s Day or as a sweet gift.
- Fun to Make: A great baking project for both adults and kids.
- Customizable: Decorate to suit any theme or preference.
- Deliciously Sweet: Just the right amount of sweetness for a delightful treat.
Variations and Add-Ins for Heart-Shaped Cookies
If you’ve got any other ideas for how you might improve these cookies, share them in the comments at the bottom of this post!
- Chocolate Twist: Add chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolatey surprise.
- Nutty Flavor: Mix in finely chopped nuts for added texture.
- Fruity Fun: Incorporate dried fruit bits like cranberries or raisins.
- Colorful Icing: Use colored royal icing or food coloring for a vibrant touch.
If you love this easy cookie recipe, you’re going to love these other Valentine treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Valentine Ideas
Cute Valentine Layered Jello Recipe
Valentine Chocolate Sugar Cookies
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Heart Shaped Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter – COLD – preferably European-style butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp almond extract OR vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – up to 4 cups depending on the humidity level
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp table salt
Instructions
- Line several baking sheets with parchment. Set aside.
- Beat the cold butter in the mixing bowl until creamy. If you have the butter paddle beater – that will work best.
- Add the sugar and beat until smooth.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.
- Slowly stir in the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Once mostly incorporated, increase the speed and beat until smooth. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Transfer the dough onto a smooth (lightly floured) work surface.
- Use a rolling pin to work the dough to a flat, ¼” thick. Then use the cookie cutters to cut out the cookies.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and then chill in the refrigerator for 15 min.
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Once the cut dough has chilled, bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes or until the edges appear to have set. They will not be golden – they will maintain their pale color.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before storing or decorating.
- Once the cookies are cool – you can stack them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for several days. OR you can decorate with a frosting or icing of your choosing.
Notes
Equipment
- heart-shaped cookie cutters
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
April says
This is the BEST cookie recipe! So fun with the heart shapes for Valentine’s Day!
Beth says
Oh, these are so cute! I love the flavor as much as the design. I made a test batch, and I know they’re going to be a huge success!
Janelle says
I made a big batch of this dough ahead of valentines day and it is so tasty!
Amanda says
These are perfect for Valentines day! Everyone will love them!
Sandra says
These cookies are too cute to eat! Definitely making them again for Valentines!
Catalina says
Baked these adorable Heart Shaped Cookies with my kids, and it was such a joy! The recipe was simple enough for us to do together, and the cookies turned out not only cute but also delicious!
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert says
It’s so cute and yummy! I’m excited to make this again!