Nothing says “I love you” like these buttery, almond-scented Heart Cookies. Each cookie reveals a colorful heart inside that makes every slice a little surprise. With their crisp edges and tender centers, these Valentine’s Day cookies are as fun to make as they are to share. The recipe yields about 24 cookies and takes around 3 hours including chilling time. Perfect for gifting, bake sales, or a cozy night in, this slice-and-bake recipe guarantees pretty results and melt-in-your-mouth flavor every time.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Heart Cookies
Festive Valentine’s Day presentation
These cookies look like they came from a bakery, but you can make them easily at home. The pink or red hearts in each slice make them perfect for Valentine’s Day parties or homemade gifts.
Simple dough with classic vanilla–almond flavor
The flavor is rich and buttery with hints of almond and vanilla. Each bite feels balanced and not overly sweet, which makes them perfect for pairing with tea or coffee.
Make-ahead friendly with great freezer storage
You can prepare the dough days in advance and freeze it. When you’re ready, just slice, bake, and serve. This makes holiday prep so much easier.
Beginner-friendly slice-and-bake technique
No fancy decorating here! The dough does all the work for you. You’ll create a heart-shaped center, wrap it in plain dough, chill, and slice. The result is clean, even hearts every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dry ingredients and why they matter for structure
All-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt create the perfect balance of structure and softness. The flour gives shape, while baking powder adds a gentle lift.
Butter, sugar, and extracts for flavor and texture
Softened butter and powdered sugar create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Vanilla adds warmth, and almond extract gives a subtle nutty sweetness that elevates the flavor.
Food coloring options and natural dye alternatives
You can use red or pink gel food coloring for a vibrant hue. If you prefer natural dyes, beet or raspberry powder gives a gentle rosy tint without artificial colors.
Expected yield and notes on ingredient substitutions
This recipe makes about 24 cookies. If you don’t have almond extract, replace it with extra vanilla for a simpler flavor that’s still delicious.
Essential Tools for Heart Cookies
Heart-shaped cookie cutter for the center design
A small heart cutter creates that signature Valentine’s look. Make sure it fits neatly inside your dough log for smooth assembly.
Mixer, bowls, and parchment for easy prep
You’ll need a hand or stand mixer for creaming butter and sugar, plus mixing bowls and parchment to keep your dough from sticking.
Tools that help with clean slicing and chilling
A sharp knife and a long sheet of plastic wrap will help you shape and chill the dough evenly. Cold dough slices cleanly, keeping the heart shapes crisp.
How to Make Heart Cookies Step by Step
Make the dough
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until fully combined.
Color and shape the heart center
Divide the dough in half. Tint one half pink or red. Roll this colored dough into a log, freeze it until firm, then slice and cut small hearts using your cutter.
Form the outer dough layer and chill
Roll out the plain dough. Cut matching slices and remove the centers so the colored hearts fit snugly inside. Gently form a new log around the heart core, wrap tightly, and chill for at least 2 hours.
Slice, bake, and cool for best texture
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the chilled dough about ¼ inch thick and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 11–13 minutes until edges turn light golden. Let cool completely before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Heart Cookies
How to maintain clean, sharp heart shapes
Keep the dough cold while working. If it softens, chill it again before slicing. This helps each heart stay defined after baking.
How long to chill and why it matters
At least 2 hours of chilling time ensures the dough holds its shape and doesn’t spread. You can even freeze it overnight for ultra-clean slices.
Flavor variations, color swaps, and shape ideas
Try pastel hearts for Easter or green ones for St. Patrick’s Day. You can also use cocoa powder in half the dough for a chocolate twist.
Troubleshooting dough cracks or spreading
If cracks form, gently press the dough back together. For spreading, make sure your butter wasn’t too soft and that your dough was well chilled before baking.
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Notes
Room-temperature storage guidelines
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep them away from moisture to preserve their crisp edges.
Freezing unbaked dough or baked cookies
Freeze the dough logs or baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or serving.
Keeping texture crisp and buttery
Avoid stacking warm cookies. Let them cool fully before storing so the texture stays perfect and buttery every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip the almond extract?
Yes. Just replace it with extra vanilla. You’ll still get a lovely, sweet flavor.
Can I use gel or liquid food coloring?
Gel coloring is best since it won’t change the dough texture. If using liquid, add sparingly and balance with a touch more flour.
How do I prevent the dough from warming while shaping?
Work quickly and chill the dough anytime it softens. Cold dough keeps the shape clean.
How thick should the slices be before baking?
About ¼ inch thick works perfectly. Thinner slices may brown too fast, and thicker ones might bake unevenly.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Classic Thumbprint Cookies for the Holidays
- Linzer Cookies with Raspberry Filling
- Giftable Cookie Mix in a Jar
- Christmas Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
- Cherry Snowball Cookies – A Festive Favorite
- Crumbl Gingerbread Cookies for Holiday Baking
Conclusion
These Heart Cookies are a sweet way to show love through baking. Their soft centers, crisp edges, and adorable heart design make them perfect for Valentine’s Day or any cozy celebration. You can even share your own cookie creations on Pinterest for inspiration and baking joy. Bake, share, and enjoy every buttery bite.
Heart Cookies
Equipment
- Small heart-shaped cookie cutter Use a size that fits comfortably inside the cookie slice.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer Creams butter and sugar quickly for a fluffy dough.
- Parchment paper Helps prevent sticking and keeps bottoms from browning too fast.
- Sharp knife Gives cleaner slices and keeps the heart shape neat.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- red or pink food coloring
Instructions
- Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Then, beat softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Next, mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts. Tint one half with red or pink food coloring and mix until even. Then, roll the colored dough into a log and freeze until firm.
- Slice the firm colored log into thick pieces. Next, press a small heart cutter into each slice to create heart centers. Keep the hearts chilled while you prep the plain dough.
- Roll out the plain dough into a slab. Then, cut slices that match the size of your log pieces and cut a heart shaped hole from the center of each slice. Press a colored heart into each cutout so it fits snugly.
- Stack and gently press the filled slices together to form a log again. Wrap tightly and chill for at least 2 hours so the shape stays sharp.
- Heat oven to 350 F. Slice the chilled log into about 1/4 inch thick cookies. Place on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges look lightly golden. Then, cool on the pan for a few minutes and move to a wire rack to finish cooling.
