Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking to whip up a delightful treat that captures the spirit of love and sweetness, the Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe is absolutely perfect. These charming cookies combine a tender, buttery dough with playful pink heart accents to create a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re baking for a special someone or simply indulging yourself, this recipe makes charming, homemade cookies that will melt hearts and spark smiles at every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this slice and bake cookie recipe so special is the simplicity of its ingredients. Each element plays a key role in crafting a buttery, tender base with just the right touch of sweetness and that lovely Valentine’s Day color pop.

• Unsalted butter (3/4 cup): Softened to room temperature, it provides the rich, creamy base that makes these cookies melt in your mouth.
• Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds that perfect balance of sweetness to complement the buttery dough without overwhelming it.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the dough with a warm, comforting aroma and depth of flavor.
• Large eggs (2): These bind the ingredients together and lend moisture, keeping the cookies tender.
• All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The structural hero of this recipe that ensures a sturdy yet delicate cookie.
• Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the dough rise just a touch, keeping the texture light and airy.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• Red or pink food coloring: Use a natural option to give your cookies that festive, rosy hue perfect for Valentine’s Day.

How to Make Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by adding softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract to a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy — this usually takes about three minutes. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, ensuring your cookies come out tender and with a lovely texture.

Step 2: Add the Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition. This method prevents the dough from breaking and keeps it smooth and cohesive, ready to blend with the dry ingredients perfectly.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking helps evenly distribute the leavening and salt, so your cookies bake uniformly with no surprise salty pockets.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in batches — three to four at a time — mixing gently after each addition. The dough should start to come together and look soft but not sticky. If it feels too wet, add a tablespoon or two of flour until you have the right consistency, which can vary slightly depending on your eggs and flour brand.

Step 5: Divide and Color the Dough

Now, take about half to two-thirds of the dough and set it aside as your plain cookie dough base. To the remaining dough, add a few drops of your red or pink food coloring and mix until the color is uniformly vibrant. Add more coloring gradually if you want an even bolder rosy hue.

Step 6: Chill and Shape the Hearts

Place the colored dough in the freezer for five minutes, then roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about half an inch thick in a neat rectangle shape. Pop it back into the freezer for 20 minutes — this chilling step is key because it helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to cut clean, pretty heart shapes without smudging or stretching.

Step 7: Cut and Assemble the Heart Log

Use a small heart cookie cutter, roughly 1.5 inches across, to cut heart shapes from your chilled pink dough. Dip a fingertip lightly in water and gently moisten the floured side of each heart before pressing another plain dough heart onto it — the tiny bit of moisture acts like glue, making sure the hearts stick together without slipping. Continue until you have a log about 10 inches long.

Step 8: Freeze and Encase the Hearts in Dough

Freeze the heart log until solid — at least 30 minutes. Then, remove it from the freezer and press the reserved plain cookie dough all around the log, making sure to fill in any gaps for a smooth surface. Roll it carefully into a sleek log shape ready for slicing.

Step 9: Chill Wrapped Dough

Wrap your dough log tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step firms up the cookie dough so the slices will hold their shape when baked.

Step 10: Slice and Bake Your Valentine’s Day Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350˙F and prepare two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. When ready, slice the chilled dough log into quarter-inch rounds and space them about two inches apart on your sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes or until the undersides turn a light golden brown. Let your cookies cool fully before handling to preserve their delicate hearts.

How to Serve Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Once these cookies are cooled, you can add a few fun garnishes like a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate for extra sweetness and elegance. Sprinkling edible glitter or crushed freeze-dried raspberries could amplify the festive vibe and impress your Valentine even more.

Side Dishes

Serve these delightfully tender cookies alongside a warm cup of tea, creamy hot chocolate, or a fresh cup of coffee. They also pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a fresh strawberry salad for an extra indulgent Valentine’s Day celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the pink heart cookies in a pretty jar tied with a festive ribbon as a sweet gift. You can also arrange the cookies on a heart-shaped platter or nestle them around a bouquet of fresh flowers to set the perfect romantic scene.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers — though these cookies rarely stick around long — store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. This helps keep them fresh and prevents them from becoming hard or stale.

Freezing

The dough log can be frozen before slicing and baking, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and slice as usual.

Reheating

If your cookies lose a bit of warmth, pop them in a preheated 300˚F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore that just-baked softness and freshness. Avoid microwaving, as that can make them chewy.

FAQs

Can I use artificial food coloring instead of natural?

Absolutely! You can use either artificial or natural food coloring depending on your preference. Just remember that artificial food coloring tends to produce a brighter, more intense color, so start with less and add more as needed.

How thick should I slice the cookie dough before baking?

Slicing about a quarter of an inch thick is ideal to ensure the cookies bake evenly and hold their shape without spreading too thin or staying doughy in the center.

Is there a way to make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. Just keep an eye on the dough’s texture and add a bit more flour if it feels too sticky.

Can I add other colors or shapes besides hearts?

Definitely! This Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe is versatile — you could dye the dough different colors or use other cookie cutters to customize for various occasions or themes.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries! You can easily make this dough by hand using a sturdy wooden spoon or a hand mixer. Just take your time creaming the butter and sugar really well to get that fluffy texture.

Final Thoughts

This Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe truly brings out the joy of baking at home with simple ingredients and fun techniques that anyone can master. These charming heart cookies are sure to become a treasured favorite to share with loved ones, making every bite a reminder of sweetness and care. So, grab your mixing bowl and cookie cutters, and dive into a cozy baking adventure that’s as heartfelt as the holiday itself.

Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

3.8 from 12 reviews

These Slice and Bake Valentine’s Day Cookies are a delightful and festive treat perfect for celebrating the holiday. Featuring a buttery, soft sugar cookie dough with charming pink heart cutouts, these cookies are easy to slice, bake, and share. The dough incorporates natural food coloring for a lovely pink hue, and the layered heart design makes them visually special. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is ideal for home bakers looking to spread some love with homemade sweets.

• Author: Paula
• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
• Yield: 2 dozen (24 cookies)
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Decoration

• Red or pink food coloring (natural food coloring recommended)

Instructions

1. Prepare the butter and sugar mixture: Add butter, sugar, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs: Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing just until each egg is combined with the wet ingredients to avoid overmixing.
3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
4. Mix dry with wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 3-4 batches, mixing just until the dough comes together. If the dough feels too wet, add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of flour as needed depending on egg size and moisture.
5. Color the dough: Remove about half to two-thirds of the dough and set aside plain. Add several drops of red or pink food coloring to the remaining dough and mix thoroughly, adding more drops to reach your desired pink shade.
6. Chill and roll colored dough: Freeze the pink dough for 5 minutes to firm it up. Then roll it out into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Return to the freezer for 20 minutes to make cutting easier.
7. Cut heart shapes: Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter (approximately 1.5 inches across) to cut out hearts from the pink dough. Lightly wet your finger and dip in flour, then brush the floured side of the heart before pressing another heart onto it to adhere them. Repeat to form a 10-inch long log of connected hearts.
8. Freeze heart log: Freeze the heart log for at least 30 minutes until fully firm. Then remove from freezer and press plain cookie dough onto and around the hearts, ensuring no gaps. Roll carefully into a smooth log.
9. Chill the assembled log: Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm the dough for slicing.
10. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
11. Slice and bake: Slice the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Space them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for approximately 12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden brown.
12. Cool and enjoy: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

• Chilling the dough at multiple stages is crucial for handling and achieving clean heart shapes.
• Use natural food coloring for a healthier option without artificial dyes.
• If the dough feels too sticky while rolling, lightly flour your surface and rolling pin.
• Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• For best results, use fresh eggs and high-quality butter.
• You can freeze the shaped dough log wrapped in plastic wrap and bake later; just adjust baking time as needed.