Valentine’s Day is a special occasion to show your loved ones how much you care, and what better way than with homemade treats? While flowers are a classic gesture, these super cute and simple heart-shaped vanilla cookies offer a unique and personal touch that will surely impress. This recipe, perfect for any skill level, guides you through creating delicious, tender cookies that are far more special than traditional gifts. Whether for a significant other, a dear friend, or even as a self-indulgent treat, these cookies are a delightful way to spread love and joy. The process is straightforward, from creaming butter and sugar to adding a touch of color and baking them to perfection. Get ready to fill your home with the sweet aroma of vanilla and create edible tokens of affection that will make this Valentine’s Day truly memorable.
Recipe Details
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dessert / Snack
- Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: Approximately 24 cookies (depending on size)
- Prep Time: 15-30 minutes (plus 20 minutes chilling time)
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Calories per serving: Approximately 100-180 kcal per cookie (varies with size and decoration)
Ingredients:
- 125g unsalted butter, softened
- 160g caster sugar
- 1 large free-range egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 240g plain flour, sifted
- Pink food colour paste
- Red food colour paste
Instructions:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixer, combine 125g softened unsalted butter and 160g caster sugar. Beat on high for about 5 minutes until the mixture is really pale and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack in one large free-range egg and add one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat for another 2 minutes until well combined.
- Incorporate Flour: Scrape down the paddle and gradually sift in 240g of plain flour. Gently fold the flour into the mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
- Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into three even portions, roughly 190g each. Leave one portion plain. Using gloves, knead pink food color paste into one portion until evenly colored, and red food color paste into the third portion.
- Chill Dough: Wrap each colored dough portion in cling film and refrigerate for about 20 minutes to chill.
- Roll Out Dough: Lightly dust your work surface and rolling pin with extra flour. Take one disc of chilled dough and roll it out until it is about 4mm thick.
- Cut Heart Shapes: Using a set of heart cookie cutters, start with a larger cutter to cut out as many big heart shapes as possible from the rolled dough. Then, use a smaller heart cutter to cut out the middle of each large heart.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Gently lift the large heart outlines using a palette knife and place them on a baking sheet (5:11-5:35). Repeat this process with the pink, red, and plain dough.
- Assemble Mixed-Color Hearts: Once the trays are filled with the large heart outlines, place the small cut-out hearts back into the middle of the large hearts, mixing and matching colors for a vibrant variety.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are completely cooked through and lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool down completely on the baking sheet before handling.
Stained Glass Heart Cookies
Mix-and-match colored heart cutouts — perfect for Valentine’s Day
- 125g unsalted butter, softened
- 160g caster sugar
- 1 large free-range egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 240g plain flour, sifted
- Pink food color paste
- Red food color paste
Cream Butter & Sugar
Beat softened butter and caster sugar on high for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients
Add egg and vanilla extract. Beat for 2 more minutes until well combined.
Add Flour
Sift in flour and gently fold until just combined. Don’t overmix!
Divide & Color
Split dough into 3 portions (~190g each). Leave one plain, knead pink into second, red into third. Chill 20 min.
Roll & Cut
Roll each dough to 4mm thick. Cut large hearts, then use smaller cutter to remove centers.
Mix & Match
Place heart outlines on baking sheet. Swap the small center hearts between colors for a vibrant look!
Bake & Cool
Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 10–12 min until lightly golden at edges. Cool completely on sheet before handling.
Conclusion
These charming heart-shaped vanilla cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they are a heartfelt expression of affection, perfect for any occasion where you want to show someone you care. Their delicate crunch and rich vanilla flavor make them irresistible, ensuring that anyone who receives them will feel truly special. From the vibrant pink and red hues to the simple joy of biting into a homemade cookie, every aspect of this recipe is designed to bring happiness. Whether you’re baking for a significant other, a family member, or a friend, these cookies are a delicious way to convey your love. Plus, the process itself is a delightful experience, allowing you to pour your care and creativity into each batch. So, go ahead and bake a batch (or two!) to share the love and make someone’s day a little sweeter. These cookies are a delightful reminder that sometimes, the simplest gestures are the most profound.
FAQs on Valentine Heart Cookie
What kind of butter should I use?
You should use softened unsalted butter for this recipe.
How long should I beat the butter and sugar together?
Beat the butter and sugar for about 5 minutes until it’s really pale and fluffy.
How can I avoid making my cookies tough?
Be careful not to overmix the dough once you add the flour, as overmixing can make the cookies tough.
How do I divide the dough evenly?
It’s recommended to measure the weight of the entire dough and then divide it into three equal portions, aiming for about 190g per blob.
What’s the easiest way to color the cookie dough?
The easiest way to color the dough is by using gloves to knead in the food color paste, as it’s more thorough and prevents sticking to your hands compared to using a wooden spoon.
How long should the dough chill in the refrigerator?
The dough should be wrapped in cling film and refrigerated for about 20 minutes.
What thickness should I roll the dough to?
Roll the dough until it’s about 4mm thick.
Can I re-roll the dough scraps?
Yes, you can gather up the scraps and re-roll them to cut out more cookies.
What temperature should I bake the cookies at?
Bake the cookies at 175°C.
How long do the cookies need to bake for?
Bake them for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are completely cooked.
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