Description
This Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies recipe is a delightful and versatile treat perfect for every occasion. These tender, buttery cookies are easy to make and decorated with classic vanilla and almond flavors. Their charming heart shape makes them ideal for celebrations like Valentine’s Day, weddings, or simply sharing sweet moments with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Decoration
- Icing or royal icing (for decoration)
- Sprinkles or edible decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, and mix well.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up. Chilling helps maintain the shape of the cookies during baking.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing, royal icing, and sprinkles as desired. Let the decorations set before serving or storing.
Notes
- For best results, make sure butter is softened, not melted.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for maintaining the shape of the heart cookies.
- You can substitute almond extract with additional vanilla extract if preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Feel free to customize decorations with colored icing and various sprinkles for different occasions.
