Why Make This Recipe
Making heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cookies is a wonderful way to show your love and affection. These delightful treats are perfect for sharing with friends, family, or that special someone. They not only taste great but also add a personal touch to your celebrations. The vibrant icing makes them visually appealing, making them a lovely gift or treat for any Valentine’s Day gathering.
How to Make Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Vibrant icing for decoration
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut into heart shapes and place on baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Allow to cool on wire racks before decorating with icing.
How to Serve Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies
These cookies can be served as a sweet treat at any Valentine’s Day celebration. You can arrange them on a festive plate or package them in a decorative box for gifting. Pair them with a glass of milk or your favorite hot drink to make the experience even more enjoyable.
How to Store Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies
Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to wrap them securely to prevent freezer burn.
Tips to Make Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easier blending.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough if it feels too sticky; this makes it easier to roll out.
- Use food coloring to create fun and vibrant icing.
- Experiment with different extracts to vary the flavor, like lemon or coconut.
Variation
You can add chocolate chips, sprinkles, or nuts to the dough for extra flavor and texture. For a more festive touch, drizzle chocolate over the icing.
FAQs
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour, but the cookies may have a denser texture.
2. How can I make the icing?
Mix powdered sugar with a small amount of milk and food coloring until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Can I add food coloring to the cookie dough?
Absolutely! You can add food coloring to the dough to create fun designs before baking.
Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure butter is at room temperature.
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract Optional, can experiment with other extracts.
Icing Ingredients
- as needed Vibrant icing for decoration Use food coloring as desired.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut into heart shapes and place on baking sheets.
Baking
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Allow to cool on wire racks before decorating with icing.