Description
These irresistibly soft heart-shaped cookies are perfect for every celebration, offering a tender crumb and delightful flavor that can be customized with colorful icing and sprinkles. Easy to prepare and bake, these cookies are sure to be a hit at parties, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any festive occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Substitute with gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (Acts as a leavening agent)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (Enhances flavors)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Can be replaced with dairy-free buttery spread)
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 large Egg (Substitute with flaxseed mixture or applesauce for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Can swap with almond or coconut extract)
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
Decorations
- 1 cup Colored Icing/Fondant (For customizing designs)
- 1/2 cup Sprinkles (Optional, for visual appeal)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg until fully incorporated, followed by vanilla extract and almond extract for a fragrant flavor base.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to firm up; this will make rolling easier and help maintain cookie shape.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack completely before decorating.
- Decorate: Once cooled, use colored icing or fondant to decorate the cookies as desired. Add sprinkles while the icing is still wet for extra visual appeal.
- Serve and Store: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them soft and fresh.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- To make this recipe vegan, replace the egg with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water) or 1/4 cup applesauce.
- Butter can be substituted with dairy-free buttery spreads to accommodate lactose intolerance.
- Almond extract can be omitted if nut allergies are a concern or replaced with coconut extract for a different flavor twist.
- Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining cookie shape during baking.
- Decorate cookies only after they have completely cooled to prevent melting icing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.
