Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe

If you’re craving a charming treat that’s as delightful to bake as it is to eat, I’ve got just the thing: a Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe that puts a lovely spin on classic buttery cookies. These beauties have a tender dough with a sweet pink heart center, rolled in colorful sprinkles for that extra festive touch. Perfect for celebrating love (or just treating yourself!).

this …

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Why They Work
• Make It Your Way
• Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe
• Top Tip
• How to Serve Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe
• Make Ahead and Storage
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• Final Thoughts
• Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you gather your ingredients, here’s a quick tip: opt for a high-quality European butter and real vanilla bean paste when you can. These elevate the flavor noticeably. Also, choose your sprinkles thoughtfully—they’re the final touch that adds a festive pop and texture.

• All-purpose flour: The base for your dough, offering structure without heaviness when measured properly.
• Baking powder: Just enough for a tender rise to keep cookies from being dense.
• Fine sea salt: Enhances all the sweetness and buttery notes beautifully.
• Unsalted European butter: Creamier with rich flavor, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens while helping create a crisp-tender bite.
• Large egg and egg yolk: Add richness and bind the dough smoothly.
• Heavy cream: Keeps the dough luscious and tender.
• Vanilla bean paste: The best way to get fragrant vanilla specks and deep flavor in every bite.
• Red gel food coloring: Provides vibrant color without altering dough consistency.
• Pink and white jimmie sprinkles: For that sparkling, playful coating that makes these cookies festive and fun.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of the Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe is how easily you can personalize it to fit your style and celebration. Whether you want to mix up the colors, tweak the toppings, or play with the dough thickness, these cookies invite creativity and warmth.

• Sprinkle Swap: I’ve tried swapping jimmie sprinkles for brightly colored sanding sugar or even tiny edible pearls to lend the cookies a more elegant or playful finish, depending on the occasion. It definitely changes the texture on the edges and adds a little festive sparkle!
• Chocolate Twist: For a richer spin, try folding in mini white chocolate chips into the plain dough before wrapping it around the heart log. It adds a subtle surprise without overwhelming the buttery base.
• Dietary Variation: You can experiment with gluten-free all-purpose flour blends to accommodate dietary needs. Just be mindful that the dough texture might be a tad different, affecting how easily you roll and slice the cookie log.
• Color Play: Feel free to adjust the amount of red gel food coloring—or even combine it with a touch of purple or pink—to create the perfect Valentine’s shade that vibes with your mood or decor.
• Thickness Matters: Don't hesitate to slice the cookie log thinner (around ¼ inch) if you love crispier cookies. Just watch the baking time closely as thinner cookies bake faster and can brown quickly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Whisk Your Dry Ingredients

Start by gently whisking together 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt in a small bowl. Whisking helps to evenly distribute the baking powder and salt so your cookies rise consistently and have perfectly balanced flavor. Set this bowl aside — your dry mix is ready to shine later.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar to Fluffy Perfection

Using cool, room temperature European butter (about 64-68°F) and 1 cup granulated sugar, cream them together with a mixer on medium speed for around 3 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture lighten in color and develop that fluffy, airy texture that sets a tender crumb in motion. Remember to scrape down the bowl sides occasionally to keep an even mix—this little step makes a big difference!

Step 3: Stir in Eggs, Cream, and Vanilla

Next, add 1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon of fragrant vanilla bean paste to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix everything until fully incorporated — your batter should look silky and smooth, almost custard-like. This step infuses the dough with richness and moisture.

Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients and Divide the Dough

Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing carefully just until the dough comes together. Overmixing here can lead to tough cookies, so be gentle. Once combined, divide the dough in half—leave about 375-400 grams in your mixing bowl for coloring, and set aside the remaining portion.

Step 5: Color, Roll, and Chill Your Pink Dough

To the dough in the mixing bowl, mix in red gel food coloring until you reach your perfect Valentine’s pink or red shade. This is where you get to be creative! Then roll the tinted dough between two sheets of parchment paper until it’s roughly ½ inch thick. Pop it into the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up and make cutting easier. Meanwhile, cover the plain dough with plastic wrap so it waits patiently.

Step 6: Cut Out Heart Shapes and Assemble the Heart Log

Using a 1 ½-inch heart-shaped cutter, stamp out hearts from the chilled pink dough. Don’t toss those scraps; reroll once to maximize your dough usage. Lightly brush a tiny bit of water onto each heart’s center, then stack them carefully, gently pressing to adhere. Your goal is a neat log about 9–10 inches long sitting on parchment. Return it to the freezer for at least 30 minutes so it firms back up.

Step 7: Wrap the Heart Log in Plain Dough and Chill

Once the heart log is thoroughly chilled, remove it from the freezer and wrap it with the plain dough, covering any gaps completely for a clean look. Wrap the entire log tightly in plastic wrap and gently roll it into a smooth, even cylinder. Chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or, even better, overnight. This final chill helps the dough firm up so slicing is easier and cleaner.

Step 8: Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Unwrap the chilled cookie dough log and roll it generously in your pink and white jimmie sprinkles — the sprinkles stick beautifully and add that festive fun flair. Make sure the log is evenly coated all around.

Step 9: Slice and Bake to Golden Perfection

Using a sharp knife, slice the log into roughly ½-inch thick cookies. Arrange them spaced slightly apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the bottoms turn a light golden and the tops have a matte finish. If you prefer crispier edges, lean toward the longer bake time or just a minute or two extra — keep an eye on them to prevent browning.

Step 10: Cool Completely and Enjoy

Once baked, transfer your cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time lets them set perfectly before serving — and that’s when you get to enjoy your beautiful, buttery, heart-filled Valentine’s treat. Store in an airtight container to keep them fresh for days of snacking joy.

How to Serve Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake Recipe

Garnishes

These charming heart cookies are cute enough on their own, but for extra flair, try sprinkling a little extra jimmie sprinkles on top just as they come out of the oven, or dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a soft, romantic look. A drizzle of white chocolate adds another decadent layer that pairs beautifully with the buttery dough.

Side Dishes

Serve your Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake cookies alongside a cup of rich hot cocoa or a frothy cappuccino for the perfect cozy treat. Fresh berries or a bowl of whipped cream can complement the sweetness nicely if you want to indulge a little more.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to one week, making them a great make-ahead treat for celebrations.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough log wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then slice and bake as instructed.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy your cookies warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 3-5 minutes. This gently revives their buttery aroma and keeps them soft without over-baking.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Valentine’s Heart Cookie Slice and Bake cookies is such a rewarding experience—not only do they taste amazing, but they look utterly charming and festive. Whether you’re gifting them to a loved one or enjoying them yourself with a favorite cup of tea, they’re sure to bring a smile. So grab your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the sweet joy of homemade love in every bite!

Print