Heart Shaped Cookies

These adorable heart-shaped cookies are the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just because! Made with a tender dough and a hint of vanilla, they’re sure to impress anyone they’re shared with. And with the option to decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles, the fun doesn’t stop at baking!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, Colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

You should be able to get about 12-15 hearts.

Place the hearts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the cookies are cool, decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles to make them festive.

Repeat the baking process until all the dough is used up.

You should end up with about 4 servings, or 12-15 cookies.

Notes

Make sure to use room temperature butter for the best results. Use a high-quality vanilla extract for a better flavor.

Don’t overmix the dough, as it can lead to tough cookies.

If you find the dough too sticky, refrigerate it for another 15-30 minutes. For even baking, try to make the cookies as uniform in size as possible.

If you want a crisper cookie, bake for 14 minutes.

If you prefer a chewier cookie, bake for 12 minutes. To ensure the cookies retain their shape, don’t overbake them.

You can store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

These cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, weddings, or any other occasion that calls for a sweet treat.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 360
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 40mg
• Sodium: 350mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 45g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 3g