Description
Nothing says “made with love” like Slice and Bake Heart Cookies! These buttery, soft cookies with their charming heart-shaped design are perfect for any occasion. Easy to customize with colors and flavors, they’re sure to bring smiles to everyone who tastes them.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Natural food coloring (e.g., beet juice for pink/purple hues)
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter (approximately 1.5 inches)
Instructions
- Prepare Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in 3–4 batches, mixing gently until a dough forms. If the dough feels too wet, add 1–2 tablespoons of flour.
- Color and Chill the Dough:
- Separate 1/2 to 2/3 of the dough and set it aside.
- Add several drops of natural food coloring to the remaining dough and mix until the desired color is achieved.
- Roll out the colored dough on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Freeze for 15–20 minutes.
- Cut and Assemble the Heart Log:
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the colored dough.
- Stack the heart shapes, lightly dampening each with water to help them stick together.
- Form a log approximately 10 inches long and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Encase the Heart Log in Plain Dough:
- Take the reserved plain dough and press it evenly around the chilled heart log, ensuring no gaps.
- Roll the encased dough into a smooth log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice and Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Slice the dough log into 1/4-inch rounds using a sharp knife.
- Place the slices about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Notes
- Chilled Dough: Work with chilled dough to prevent it from becoming too soft to handle.
- Prevent Cracks: Smooth any cracks in the plain dough with your fingers during assembly.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American