Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies

why make this recipe

Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for celebrating love. These cookies not only look charming with their sweet heart shapes, but they also taste amazing! They are easy to make, and you can customize them with colors and decorations. This recipe is perfect for baking with kids, and sharing with friends or that special someone.

how to make Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Red or pink food coloring (natural food coloring recommended)

Directions:

1. Add butter, sugar, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer). Beat at medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 3-4 batches, mixing until the dough comes together. If the dough feels too wet, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour as needed, depending on your eggs.
5. Remove about 1/2 to 2/3 of the dough and set it aside. Add several drops of food coloring to the remaining dough and mix until combined. Add more food coloring to reach your desired color.
6. Place the pink dough in the freezer for 5 minutes. Then, roll it out into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Return the rolled dough to the freezer for 20 minutes to help keep the shapes intact.
7. Use a small heart cookie cutter (about 1.5 inches across) to cut out heart shapes. Lightly dip a finger in water and rub it on the floured side of each cookie to help them stick together, but don’t use too much water.
8. Create a log about 10 inches long with the hearts. Return the log to the freezer for at least 30 minutes or until frozen solid.
9. Remove from the freezer and press the plain cookie dough around the heart shapes, making sure to fill any gaps. Roll it into a smooth log.
10. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
11. Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
12. Slice the dough into 1/4-inch rounds and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are light golden brown. Once baked, let them cool.

how to serve Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies

These delicious cookies are perfect for sharing at a Valentine’s Day party or giving as gifts. You can serve them on a beautiful plate or in a cute box. Decorate them with icing or sprinkles for an added touch!

how to store Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh. They should last for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to wrap them well!

tips to make Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies

• If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it longer in the freezer.
• Experiment with different colors to match your Valentine’s Day theme.
• Use different cookie cutters for a variety of shapes beyond just hearts.

variation

You can add chocolate chips or nuts to the dough for different flavors. Additionally, you can use different colors of food coloring to create a rainbow of hearts!

FAQs

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use margarine, but the texture and flavor may be slightly different.

2. How can I make the cookies softer or crunchier?
For softer cookies, be careful not to overbake them. For crunchier cookies, you can bake them a little longer until they are golden brown.

3. Can these cookies be decorated?
Absolutely! You can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or even edible glitter after they cool.

Slice and Bake Valentine's Day Cookies

These delightful slice and bake cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day, featuring a buttery vanilla flavor and customizable heart shapes. They're easy to prepare ahead of time, making them a fun and festive treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 42 minutes mins

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

• large bowl
• electric mixer
• spatula
• plastic wrap
• baking sheets
• parchment paper
• wire rack
• heart-shaped cookie cutters (optional)

Ingredients

  

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt

Instructions

 

Instructions

• In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a log, approximately 6-8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Wrap logs tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap one dough log and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place slices onto prepared baking sheets.
• (Optional: Use small heart-shaped cookie cutters to create heart centers or edges on the rounds).
• Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For best results, ensure butter is at room temperature before creaming. Chilling the dough thoroughly is crucial for easy slicing and maintaining cookie shape. These cookies can be decorated with frosting or sprinkles after cooling.