Description
Sparkle Sweetheart Cookies are the ultimate treat for any celebration, especially Valentine’s Day! These soft, buttery cookies are shaped like hearts and coated in sparkling sugar, making them as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for gifting, sharing with loved ones, or enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Red or pink colored sugar (for sparkling finish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Shape the cookies: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
- Coat the cookies: Gently dip the edges of the heart-shaped cookies into a bowl of red or pink colored sugar, pressing lightly to coat them in the sparkling sugar.
- Bake the cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can substitute the colored sugar with regular granulated sugar or even coarse sugar for a different texture and look.
- These cookies can be decorated with icing or sprinkles if desired for an extra touch.
- Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- For a fun twist, add some sprinkles or a drizzle of white chocolate once the cookies have cooled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (excluding chilling time)
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies, Valentine’s Day TreatsDessert, Cookies, Valentine’s Day Treats
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Bakery
Keywords: sparkle sweetheart cookies, heart-shaped cookies, Valentine’s Day cookies, decorated sugar cookies, easy heart cookies, sweet cookies with sugar, festive cookies, soft sugar cookies