Description
These Slice and Bake Heart Cookies are a charming and delicious treat perfect for any occasion. Featuring a soft, buttery dough with a hidden vibrant red heart in the center, these cookies bring both visual appeal and classic flavor. The dough is divided and colored to create the heart shape, then wrapped with plain dough before slicing and baking to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional
- Red food coloring (for heart dough)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough evenly into two portions. Add red food coloring to one half and knead or mix until the dough reaches your desired shade of red, intended for the heart center.
- Form Heart Shape: Roll the red dough into a log and carefully shape it into a heart. Wrap the heart-shaped dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle during assembly.
- Wrap Heart with Plain Dough: Roll out the plain (uncolored) dough into a flat rectangle. Place the chilled red heart dough in the center, then wrap the plain dough evenly around it. Roll lightly to smooth out edges and maintain the heart shape inside.
- Preheat Oven and Slice Cookies: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a sharp knife, slice the assembled dough log into 1/4-inch thick slices, ensuring each slice reveals the heart shape clearly.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the sliced cookies on a lined baking sheet, spacing them apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges start to turn a light golden brown, signaling doneness.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for several minutes to set. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- The red dough heart can be tinted with gel food coloring for more vibrant color without altering dough consistency.
- Refrigeration of the shaped dough log is essential for cleaner slices and maintaining the heart shape.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a stronger flavor contrast, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract to the dough.
