Description
Buttery and vanilla-scented slice and bake heart cookies with sweet, tender centers and crisp edges — perfect for Valentine’s Day gifting or cozy baking days.
Ingredients
2½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1–2 tsp red or pink natural food coloring (optional)
Instructions
1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. In another bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
3. Add milk and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients until dough forms.
5. Divide dough; tint one portion pink or red.
6. Shape tinted dough into a small log and freeze until firm.
7. Slice colored dough into disks and cut heart shapes using a mini cutter.
8. Stack hearts into one long log and freeze again until firm.
9. Wrap remaining plain dough around the heart log, shaping into a smooth cylinder.
10. Chill fully for 1 hour.
11. Slice into ¼-inch rounds, rotating the log slightly between cuts.
12. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but not browned.
13. Cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Ensure colored dough is firm before cutting for easier handling.
Rotate the cookie log between slices to prevent uneven edges.
If dough softens, refrigerate again before slicing.
Natural coloring may fade slightly during baking.
Chill dough thoroughly to maintain perfect shapes.
- Prep Time: 90 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Valentine’s Day Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 16.8 g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37.1 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 3.9 g
- Cholesterol: 25mg