Description
These Slice and Bake Heart Cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion that needs a touch of sweetness. With a simple dough that’s easy to shape and bake, these cookies are buttery, soft, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The heart-shaped design adds a festive charm to every bite, and you can customize the colors to suit your theme.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Food coloring (pink or red for hearts)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and salt, and mix until combined.
- Add Flour: Gradually add in the flour, mixing just until the dough forms.
- Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough into two portions. Leave one portion as is and add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to the other portion. Mix until the color is evenly distributed.
- Shape into Logs: Shape the uncolored dough into a cylinder (about 2 inches in diameter) and wrap it in plastic wrap. With the colored dough, form a smaller log and use your hands to shape it into a heart by pressing the sides and creating a point at the bottom. Wrap in plastic and chill both logs for 1-2 hours.
- Combine the Logs: Once the dough is firm, cut the heart-shaped dough into thin slices (about 1/8 inch thick) and press them along the top of the cylinder of uncolored dough. Wrap the combined log in plastic wrap and chill again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice and Bake: Unwrap the dough and slice into ¼ inch thick rounds. Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can adjust the heart size depending on how thick or thin you shape the colored dough.
- Try using different colors or shapes for various holidays or events.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.