Looking for a sweet way to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day? ❤️ Valentine's Day Heart Treats are your answer! These delightful treats are quick to whip up, offer a healthier indulgence, and are bursting with delicious flavor. As a busy parent myself, I know how precious time is, and I wanted something special that wouldn't keep me in the kitchen all day. These treats are perfect for making memories without the fuss – because Valentine's Day is about love and connection, not stress in the kitchen.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Every Valentine's Day growing up, my grandmother would make heart-shaped cookies. The exact details of the recipe faded with time, but the warmth and joy of decorating them with my family remains one of my fondest memories. Valentine's Day Heart Treats aims to recapture that simple joy, offering a modern, healthier twist on a classic symbol of love. They are a simple yet heartfelt way to share the love.
Ingredients
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For the Dough:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk (or non-dairy milk)
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For the Decoration:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (or non-dairy milk)
- Food coloring (red or pink)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut Out Hearts: Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies from the dough.
- Bake: Place the heart cookies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (or non-dairy milk) until smooth. Add food coloring, if desired, and mix well.
- Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with the icing and sprinkles, if desired.
- Serve: Let the icing set before serving or packaging the Valentine's Day Heart Treats as a gift. Enjoy your Valentine's Day Heart Treats!
Valentine’s Day Heart Treats
Delightful heart-shaped treats, quick to make and perfect for Valentine’s Day. A healthier and delicious way to share the love.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup milk (or non-dairy milk)
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies from the dough.
- Place the heart cookies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (or non-dairy milk) until smooth. Add food coloring, if desired, and mix well.1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk (or non-dairy milk), Food coloring (red or pink)
- Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with the icing and sprinkles, if desired.1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk (or non-dairy milk), Food coloring (red or pink), Sprinkles (optional)
- Let the icing set before serving or packaging the Valentine’s Day Heart Treats as a gift. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day Heart Treats!