Description
Sweet romance blossoms in these slice and bake heart cookies, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any moment needing sugary affection. Delicate butter shortbread hearts adorned with pastel glaze create a charming treat you’ll adore sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (230 grams / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ cups (310 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Color Variation Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon red or pink food coloring
Instructions
- Craft the foundational vanilla dough by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar until exceptionally smooth and aerated. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, then gently fold in flour and salt, creating a delicate, cohesive mixture.
- Divide the vanilla dough, reserving a portion for the heart-shaped core. Infuse the separated segment with vibrant food coloring, kneading until uniformly tinted. Meticulously sculpt the colored dough into an elongated heart shape, utilizing precise techniques like ruler pressing or hand molding.
- Carefully encase the colored heart-shaped core with the remaining vanilla dough, transforming it into a uniform log. Delicately smooth the exterior by rolling on a flat surface, ensuring seamless integration of the two dough varieties.
- Refrigerate the assembled dough log for approximately one hour, allowing the ingredients to solidify and meld flavors. This chilling process enhances structural integrity and flavor concentration.
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare parchment-lined baking sheets. Using a razor-sharp knife, slice the chilled dough log into uniform, thin rounds approximately 1/4-inch thick.
- Arrange cookie slices with strategic spacing on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring for delicate golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheets, then transfer to a cooling rack. Optional embellishments include chocolate drizzles or decorative sanding sugar for enhanced visual appeal and texture.
Notes
- Chill dough thoroughly to maintain the heart shape and prevent spreading during baking, ensuring clean, crisp cookie edges.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without affecting the dough’s consistency, creating a bold and eye-catching heart center.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, helping create a uniform dough texture that’s easy to shape and slice.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, keeping the cookie’s delicate structure intact.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg