Let’s Make Valentine’s Day Heart Cookies (With a Bit of Heart!)

Okay, so story time: years ago, I tried making fancy heart-shaped cookies for my partner on Valentine’s Day. I wanted to be Cute Romantic Baker Extraordinaire. Honestly? They looked more like squished potatoes than hearts after the first batch, but they were delicious and we snacked on them while binge-watching bad romcoms. My measly heart shapes are now sort of an inside joke at our house—and improving them has become a bit of a tradition, even if they’re still slightly wobbly (the cookie shapes, not us…although, after too much sugar…)

Why You’ll Love This (Or At Least Have a Laugh)

I make these every February, sometimes even in early March just because. My family goes bananas for them (especially my little cousin, who thinks they’re magic just because they’re pink). When I’m feeling lazy, I just do circles and call them “abstract hearts”. Also, when you’re stressed, aggressively cutting cookie dough into heart shapes is surprisingly cathartic—better than yoga some days if you ask me.

What You’ll Need (Substitutions Welcome!)

2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I sometimes swap in half whole wheat if I want them a bit nuttier, but really, use what you have handy)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (My grandmother always insisted on using sea salt but table salt works fine—don’t stress here)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (In a pinch, I’ve used salted butter and just reduced the salt by a smidge. Works out alright!)
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg (or, actually, 2 small ones if you ran out; one time I used flax seed “egg”—not bad in a pinch)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I tend to think almond extract gives them a nice twist, so swap or mix if you love that flavor)
A few drops red or pink food coloring (optional, for good vibes. Beet powder is a thing, if you’re fancy.)
Sprinkles, edible glitter, or whatever decorations scream Valentine to you

How To Pull These Off (And Keep Your Sanity)

First up, cream the butter and sugar together until it’s fluffy like a cloud. If you forget to soften the butter (I always do, sigh), try microwaving it for a few seconds—but not so much it melts into a puddle; I’ve done that. It’s…not great.
Add the egg and vanilla (and food coloring if you want). Beat until it looks all happy and combined—don’t worry if the color seems wonky, it sorts itself out later. Taste it if you’re rebellious like me.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl. Then slowly add this to the wet mix. Sometimes I do it in stages, sometimes I dump it all in (not the best idea). If the dough gets stubborn, switch to a wooden spoon and use your muscles.
When it’s all combined, squish the dough into a ball, wrap in cling film, and chill for at least an hour. Or honestly, I’ve been impatient and stuck it in the freezer for 20 mins; works most days.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (about 180°C). Line your tray with baking paper or a non-stick mat. Rolling out the dough, I go for about as thick as two pound coins stacked—very scientific measurement, that.
Cut out as many hearts as you can (this is where I get competitive with myself). Collect scraps, reroll, keep going. The shapes will look better after baking—I promise.
Bake for 8–11 minutes, depending how crisp you like them. Don’t get too wild here; they firm up as they cool.
Let them cool before decorating (unless impatient little hands start snagging them off the tray—been there, not judging).

Bits I Learned the Hard Way

If you skip chilling the dough, it’s like wrestling a sticky octopus. Trust me—just chill it!
The first few always bake a bit faster in my oven. Maybe yours is more consistent…mine’s got a mind of its own.
And actually, I think these taste a bit better when the vanilla has time to mellow overnight.

Stuff I Tried (And a Dud)

I once used orange zest in the dough and it was bright and zippy—totally loved that.
Swapped half the sugar for honey once; didn’t love it, made them weirdly sticky.
Chocolate chips pressed in before baking? Pretty but messy to decorate after, though still tasty.

If You Don’t Have a Cookie Cutter…

Honestly? Flip a glass upside down, or cut out a paper heart and trace around it with a knife. I’ve even used the top of a jam jar in a pinch, though the hearts were pretty…creative. (But hey, who’s judging?)

How To Store (If You Even Need This Bit)

Airtight container, room temp, lasts up to 5 days—or so I’ve been told; in my house, these don’t last 24 hours. You can freeze the dough too, just wrap it up snug.

How We Like to Serve ‘Em

I brought these to my mate’s Galentine’s gathering last year, stacked on a blue plate with loads of extra sprinkles (because, why not go overboard). Sometimes we make a cookie sandwich with jam or Nutella. My nephew likes them dunked in tea—bizarre, but he swears by it.

Stuff I Wish I’d Known (So You Don’t Make My Mistakes!)

I once tried to roll out warm dough. Major regret—stuck everywhere. Chilling is so worth it.
If you bake till they look golden, they’re probably overdone. Pull them out when they’re just barely colored at the edges.
Don’t skip lining the tray, or you’ll be chiseling cookies off like an archaeologist.

FAQ: Actual Questions I Get (Or Ask Myself, Honestly)

Can I make these gluten free? Yep, just use your favorite 1:1 blend. Texture’s a bit sandier, but still yum.
Do I really need to chill the dough? Short answer: yes. Long answer: you’ll regret it if you don’t.
Can I freeze the cookies after baking? For sure, just layer with paper so they don’t weld together. Though, er, ours never make it to the freezer. Sheepish grin.
How do I make the colors super pink or red? Use gel color, not liquid, or you’ll drown the dough. Learned that the messy (and slightly tasteless) way.
Can I double the batch? Yes, and you probably should. Because these are moreish, and someone will snipe the last one before you blink.
Do these taste better the next day? Maybe. If you can keep your hands off them long enough to test that out, let me know!

Oh and quick digression—I once made these for my dog’s birthday (cut into bone shapes, not hearts, promise). He got so excited he tried to jump on the table. So yes, these cookies do in fact bring all the critters (and people) to the yard.