Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies Valentine’s Day

Spread the love this Valentine’s Day with these adorable heart-shaped sugar cookies! Perfect for sharing with your loved ones or gifting to friends.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

• In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually add in the flour and salt until a dough forms.
• Roll out the dough and cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter.
• Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
• Let cool and decorate with icing or sprinkles for a festive touch. Enjoy!

Popular questions:

• Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

A: Yes, you can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe to balance out the flavors.

• Q: Can I substitute the egg with something else for a vegan version?

A: You can try using a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer to make these cookies vegan-friendly.

• Q: Can I refrigerate the dough before baking?

A: Chilling the dough for about an hour can help with cutting out precise shapes and prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

• Q: How should I store these cookies?

A: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

Helpful tips:

• For a flavor variation, add a touch of almond extract to the dough.
• Sprinkle colored sugar on top of the cookies before baking for added sparkle.
• Use royal icing for a smooth, glossy finish on your decorated cookies.
• Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes for other occasions or themes.

Expert Secrets:

• Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar.
• Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking.
• Let the cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from running.
• For a deeper flavor, brown the butter before using it in the recipe.