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.
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.