Sweet Love: Simple Slice and Bake Heart Cookies Recipe

Sweet moments deserve adorable heart cookies that melt hearts faster than butter on a warm pan.

These charming treats capture romance and joy in every delicate bite.

Baking these cookies becomes a delightful experience that sparks happiness.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to create something magical.

Each cookie tells a story of love and care, crafted with precision and passion.

Decorating becomes an art, turning plain dough into edible masterpieces.

You’ll fall in love with how easy and delicious these heart-shaped delights can be.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 1 hour chilling)

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes

Calories: 164 kcal

Servings: 25

Fun Ways To Serve Slice And Bake Heart Cookies

• Sweet Heart Companion: Pair these adorable cookies with a warm mug of creamy hot chocolate, letting the chocolate drizzle complement the cookie's delicate vanilla flavor.
• Romantic Dessert Plate: Create an elegant dessert presentation by arranging cookies on a pretty white plate, adding fresh strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar for a romantic touch.
• Tea Time Treat: Serve alongside Earl Grey or chamomile tea, allowing the delicate cookie to balance the tea's subtle flavors and create a delightful afternoon snack perfect for sharing with friends or a special someone.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies between parchment paper in a clear gift box tied with a soft pink or red ribbon, making them a charming homemade present for Valentine's Day or a loved one's birthday.

How To Store Slice And Bake Heart Cookies Easily

• Cookie Batch Management: Prepare dough logs ahead and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for 2-3 months, wrapped tightly in plastic and sealed inside a freezer bag.
• Quick Cooling Strategy: Allow freshly baked cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize structure, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling, preventing potential cracking.
• Smart Storage Solution: Once completely cooled, stack cookies between parchment paper layers inside an airtight container, keeping them fresh at room temperature for 5-7 days.
• Temperature Preservation Trick: Maintain cookie quality by storing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources, which can cause texture changes or accelerate staleness.

What Goes In Slice And Bake Heart Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation creating tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies brown beautifully.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to soft cookie structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers warm, comforting flavor depth.
• Flour: Creates cookie's fundamental structure and texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Food Coloring: Transforms dough into vibrant heart-shaped design.
• Melted Chocolate: Optional elegant finishing touch for extra indulgence.
• Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkling decorative element and delightful crunch.

• Chocolate Drizzle: Provides luxurious, decorative finish.
• Sanding Sugar: Creates festive, eye-catching appearance on cookie surface.

Must-Have Tools For Slice And Bake Heart Cookies

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dough ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for slicing cookies evenly.
• Ruler or small spatula: Helps shape heart-shaped dough log precisely.
• Plastic wrap: Needed for wrapping and chilling dough logs.
• Baking sheets: For baking cookie slices.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to baking sheets.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.

Instructions For Slice And Bake Heart Cookies

• Create Vanilla Base

Whip butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, blending smoothly. Mix in flour and salt to form soft dough.

• Craft Heart Center

Split dough, reserving one portion. Add vibrant food coloring to smaller section. Shape colored dough into heart-shaped log. Freeze for quick firmness.

• Build Cookie Cylinder

Roll remaining vanilla dough into thin rectangle. Carefully wrap around colored heart log. Gently press and smooth edges. Wrap completely and chill in refrigerator until solid.

• Transform Into Cookies

Heat oven to 350F. Cover baking sheets with parchment. Slice chilled log into thin rounds. Arrange cookies with space between them. Bake until edges turn golden, about 10-12 minutes. Cool briefly on sheet, then transfer to wire rack.

• Final Touches

Serve as classic cookies or enhance with chocolate drizzle or sparkling sugar for extra charm.

Helpful Tips For Slice And Bake Heart Cookies

• Dough Consistency Hack: Keep butter slightly soft but not melting for perfect creaming. Cold butter creates crumbly dough, while overly warm butter leads to spreading cookies.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepared cookie dough logs can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
• Color Creative Twist: Experiment with different food coloring shades like pastel pink, deep red, or soft lavender. Natural food colorings from beet or raspberry powders work wonderfully for health-conscious bakers.
• Dietary Swap Options: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly cookies. Use plant-based butter and egg substitute for vegan version. Swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar for lower glycemic index treat.
• Flavor Boost Techniques: Add orange zest, almond extract, or lavender extract to vanilla dough for unexpected flavor profiles. Sprinkle sea salt on finished cookies for sophisticated sweet-salty contrast.

Adorable Heart Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet and buttery slice and bake heart cookies bring romantic charm to dessert tables across North America. Delicate pastry shapes create memorable moments for special celebrations with minimal kitchen effort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups (310 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (230 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp red or pink food coloring

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then blend in egg and vanilla extract. Gently mix flour and salt to form a smooth, cohesive dough.
2. Color Separation: Segment the vanilla dough, reserving a portion. Knead food coloring into the separated segment until evenly distributed, then shape into a precise heart-shaped core using careful molding techniques.
3. Dough Encasement: Envelop the colored heart core with remaining vanilla dough, forming a uniform log. Roll on a flat surface to ensure seamless integration and smooth exterior.
4. Chilling Process: Refrigerate the dough log for one hour to solidify structure and concentrate flavors, creating optimal cookie consistency.
5. Slicing and Baking: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Slice chilled log into thin, uniform rounds using a sharp knife. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, maintaining appropriate spacing.
6. Finishing Touches: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden. Cool briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack. Optionally embellish with chocolate drizzle or decorative sugar for enhanced presentation.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for optimal dough consistency and smooth blending with sugar.
• Precise Coloring Technique: Use gel food coloring for vibrant, even color distribution without altering dough moisture content.
• Chill for Structural Perfection: Refrigeration is crucial for clean cookie slices and preventing dough from spreading during baking.
• Slice with Sharp Precision: Use a super-sharp knife and clean wipes between cuts to maintain crisp heart-shaped cookie edges.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 1 hour chilling)
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 164
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 0.1 g
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 24 mg