Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and affection, and what better way to express your feelings than with homemade treats straight from the heart? There’s something truly special about baking up a batch of delicious heart-shaped cookies for the ones you cherish. Whether it’s for your significant other, family, or friends, the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the kitchen and the joy of sharing them is simply unbeatable. Join me on a delightful journey as we explore a simple yet delightful recipe for heart-shaped cookies, perfect for spreading love and sweetness this Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients:

For the cookies:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the flour and salt to the mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
  5. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies from the dough.
  6. Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about an inch apart.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  8. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. While the cookies are cooling, prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar with milk until smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
  10. Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread the icing over the cookies using a knife or spoon. You can also use a piping bag for more intricate designs.
  11. Decorate with sprinkles or any other decorations of your choice.
  12. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing the cookies in an airtight container.