Description
These Slice and Bake Heart Cookies are a charming, festive treat perfect for any occasion that calls for a touch of love. Featuring a delightful combination of classic buttery sugar cookie dough with a vibrant red heart center, these cookies are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Easy to prepare and perfect for gifting or sharing, they bake up crisp on the edges with a tender, flavorful inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional
- Red food coloring (for heart dough)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This mixture forms the dry base of your cookie dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process aerates the dough, creating a tender texture. Add the egg and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until everything is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth.
- Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough evenly into two portions. Add red food coloring to one half, kneading it in evenly until you achieve your desired shade of red for the heart dough.
- Shape the Heart Dough: Roll the red-colored dough into a log shape, then carefully mold it into a heart form. Wrap the formed heart tightly in plastic wrap to help it maintain its shape and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Surround with White Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the plain, uncolored dough into a rectangle shape. Remove the heart dough from the refrigerator and place it in the center of this rectangle. Fold and wrap the plain dough around the heart, pressing and rolling gently to smooth and seal the edges so the heart shape is encased inside.
- Slice and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a sharp knife, slice the assembled dough log into approximately 1/4-inch thick cookies. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or packaging.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the right dough consistency.
- You can adjust the amount of red food coloring based on how vibrant you want the heart to be.
- Chilling the dough properly is essential for holding the heart shape during slicing and baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week for maximum freshness.
- Use sharp knives for slicing to keep clean edges and well-defined heart shapes.
