Heart-Shaped Valentine's Cookies
Deliciously buttery and sweet heart-shaped cookies that are perfect for sharing love on Valentine's Day or any occasion.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Decoration Ingredients
- royal icing or fondant for decoration
- Food coloring (optional) For customizing decorations.
- Sprinkles (optional) For additional decoration.
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients and measure them accurately. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended. Set this mixture aside.
Mixing Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3-5 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until the dough forms, avoiding overmixing.
Shaping Cookies
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookie shapes, placing them on ungreased baking sheets.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool before transferring to wire racks.
Decorating
- Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate with royal icing or fondant. Add food coloring and sprinkles as desired.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer freshness, refrigerate them. Also, avoid decorating warm cookies to prevent icing from melting.