These Sweetheart Cookies are the perfect way to show your love with a sweet, buttery treat. Shaped like hearts and glazed with a delicate sugar coating, these cookies are ideal for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or any special occasion where you want to spread a little love. Soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and easy to customize with colors or sprinkles, these cookies are both delicious and adorable.
Key Information:
- Preparation time:
20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
- Cooking time:
10-12 minutes
- Total time:
1 hour 30 minutes
- Number of servings:
24 cookies
- Serving size:
1 cookie
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories:
140 kcal
- Protein:
2g
- Carbohydrates:
18g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat:
4g
- Fiber:
0.5g
- Sugar:
9g
- Sodium:
60mg
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 230g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 150g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon (1g) almond extract (optional, for extra
flavor)
- 300g (2 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon (1g) baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1g) salt
For the Icing:
- 250g (2 cups) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk or water
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles, sanding sugar, or edible glitter for
decoration
Method of Preparation:
For the Cookies:
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar
together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy,
about 3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if
using), and beat until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low
speed until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough:
Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for
at least 1 hour. This step ensures the cookies hold their shape when
baked.
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with
parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 6mm (1/4
inch) thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies
and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2.5cm (1 inch) apart.
- Bake:
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them
to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Icing:
- Make the Icing:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or water), and
vanilla extract until smooth. If you'd like, divide the icing into small
bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl for different
colors.
- Decorate the Cookies:
Once the cookies are completely cooled, use a spoon or piping bag to
spread or drizzle the icing over each cookie. Top with sprinkles, sanding
sugar, or edible glitter for a festive touch.
- Let the Icing Set:
Allow the icing to set for about 30 minutes before serving or packaging
the cookies.
Tips for Culinary Success:
- Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from
spreading too much in the oven, helping them keep their heart shape.
- Even Thickness:
Use rolling pin guides or rulers to ensure the dough is rolled out to an
even thickness for consistent baking.
- Custom Colors:
For a personalized touch, dye the icing in pastel pinks, reds, or any
colors that match your celebration theme.
- Add Zest:
For a citrusy twist, add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the cookie
dough for extra brightness.
- Storage:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5
days, or freeze them (before icing) for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or
freeze it for up to 1 month. Just thaw the dough overnight in the fridge
before rolling it out.
- Can I use royal icing instead of a simple glaze? Absolutely! Royal icing will give you a firmer, more
polished finish, perfect for detailed designs.
- What if I don't have heart-shaped cookie cutters? You can use any shape you like or cut the dough into
squares or circles with a knife or a glass rim.
- Can I make these cookies gluten-free? Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a
gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to use a blend that contains xanthan gum
for the best texture.
- How do I make the icing set faster? You can speed up the drying process by placing the
decorated cookies in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
These Sweetheart Cookies are a
delightful way to share love through baking. Soft, buttery, and easy to decorate,
they’re a fun and delicious treat to make for special occasions or just to
brighten someone’s day. Get creative with the icing and decorations, and enjoy
these love-filled treats with friends and family!