Description
Delicious and festive Slice and Bake Heart Cookies that are easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. These soft-centered cookies with golden edges can be decorated with sprinkles or icing to add a personalized touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Optional Decoration
- Decorative sprinkles or icing (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring the sugars are well incorporated.
- Add Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined, enhancing the dough’s flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt ensuring even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring continuously until the dough comes together without any streaks of flour.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Shape the dough into two logs, each about 1.5 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up the dough for easier slicing.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Slice Dough: Remove the chilled logs from the refrigerator and slice each into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie for expansion.
- Decorate (Optional): Optionally, decorate the cookies with sprinkles or icing to give them a festive appearance before baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden while the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your freshly baked heart-shaped cookies!
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to maintain the shape of the cookies during baking.
- Slicing dough logs evenly helps ensure uniform cookie sizes and baking times.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and promote easy clean-up.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a more festive look, use colored sprinkles or themed icing decorations.
