If you’re looking for a cookie recipe that’s as charming as it is delicious, you’ve come to the right place! I’m excited to share my Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe with you—a perfect treat that’s festive, fun to make, and absolutely scrumptious. These cookies combine buttery richness with cute heart cutouts and a colorful surprise inside that’ll make your loved ones smile at first bite. Stick around, because I’ll walk you through every step to help you nail these beauties in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Festive and Heartfelt: The heart shapes and pink/red dough bring instant Valentine’s vibes to your kitchen.
- Simple Ingredients, Stunning Result: You probably have most of what you need already, but these cookies look like you spent hours!
- Perfect for Gifting or Parties: Slice and bake makes prep easy, and everyone goes crazy for the homemade touch.
- Customizable and Fun to Make: You can tweak colors and sprinkles to make it your own special creation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love how straightforward the ingredients are for this Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe. Each one plays its part in building the perfect texture and flavor, and the colored doughs really steal the show visually. When shopping, fresh butter and pure vanilla really make a difference.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookies—make sure it’s well-measured to avoid dry or dense cookies.
- Baking powder: Just enough to give a tiny lift so they stay tender but not cakey.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens with a classic crunch that pairs perfectly with rich butter.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter adds flavor and moisture—using unsalted lets you control the salt better.
- Large egg: Helps bind everything together and keeps the dough tender.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and aroma—don’t skimp on it!
- Almond extract: Just a hint—gives these cookies that subtle, special twist I adore.
- Pink and red gel food coloring: For those festive hearts—you’ll love how vibrant these look.
- Valentine’s Day nonpareil sprinkles: Adds texture and that cute finishing sparkle to the dough edges.
Variations
I’m a big fan of switching things up depending on the occasion or mood, and this Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe is no exception. Feel free to make it your own!
- Omit almond extract: If you’re not a fan, you can skip it or replace with a little more vanilla—my family loves the almond twist, but it’s not for everyone.
- Swap sprinkles for chopped nuts or sugar crystals: For a different texture and sparkle—perfect if you want to dial back the sweetness or add crunch.
- Use heart-shaped cutters of different sizes: Makes the cookies extra playful and perfect for sharing with kids.
- Try food coloring gels in other hues: Pink and red are classic, but purple or lavender would be stunning for a unique Valentine’s Day treat.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by combining your flour and baking powder in a bowl and set that aside. This way, you’re ready when you beat the wet ingredients, and it keeps the baking powder evenly distributed—key for even cookie texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Pop your softened butter and sugar into a mixing bowl, then beat them on medium speed for about 2 minutes until light and creamy. I love this step because it really makes the cookies tender and gives them that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Don’t rush this part—it makes a difference.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg along with the vanilla and almond extracts until everything’s smooth and combined. The almond extract is my secret weapon—it adds a subtle but memorable flavor twist.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Gently fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing just until incorporated. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so keep it light—you’re looking for a soft, pliable dough.
Step 5: Color the Dough
Pull out about one-third of the dough and divide it into two balls. Use your gel food coloring to dye one ball red and the other pink. I like gel dyes because they give vibrant color with no extra moisture. Knead until the color is evenly blended—feel free to wear gloves if you don’t want pink fingers!
Step 6: Cut Your Heart Shapes
Roll out the colored dough to about ½ inch thick, then use a 1-inch floured heart-shaped cutter to cut out as many shapes as possible. Don’t toss those leftover bits—you can re-roll them to make a few more hearts. It’s satisfying seeing those pretty shapes come together!
Step 7: Chill and Prepare the Outer Layer
Line your hearts up on plastic wrap, then wrap them tightly and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. While they chill, roll the remaining plain dough into long skinny ropes—these will be wrapped around each heart for a beautiful finished effect. Make sure the ropes are long enough to cover the hearts from end to end.
Step 8: Create the Slice-and-Bake Logs
Gently wrap the ropes around each chilled heart, pressing lightly so it sticks but stays neat. Once all hearts are covered, roll the entire log gently in a dish of Valentine’s Day nonpareil sprinkles, coating all sides. It’s a bit of messy fun and makes these cookies so pretty when sliced.
Step 9: Chill the Logs Again
Wrap your decorated dough logs tightly in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This extra chill helps them slice cleanly and maintain their shape while baking—trust me, it’s worth the wait.
Step 10: Slice and Bake
Slice your logs into about ½ inch thick cookies, spacing them at least an inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake at 350º F for 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point—get ready to sample!
Step 11: Cool and Store
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container to keep the freshness and that tender texture you love.
Pro Tips for Making Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe
- Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is softened but not melting—this helps the dough come together smoothly and keeps the texture perfect.
- Chill Twice for Best Slices: Don’t skip chilling the logs twice—it makes slicing far easier and keeps those heart shapes looking sharp.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: It won’t change dough consistency and gives you that vibrant, photogenic pink and red.
- Be Gentle Wrapping Dough: When wrapping ropes around hearts, press lightly to avoid squishing the shapes out of proportion.
How to Serve Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these cookies with extra sprinkles right after rolling the dough logs before chilling—that little sparkle really makes them special. Sometimes, I’ll lightly dust them with powdered sugar just before serving for a soft romantic touch.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a hot cup of coffee or a creamy latte for a cozy afternoon treat. They also go wonderfully with a chilled glass of milk or even a sweet dessert wine if you’re celebrating with adults.
Creative Ways to Present
For Valentine’s Day, I like arranging my cookies in a heart shape on a pretty platter, lined with parchment paper. Wrapping individual cookies in cello bags tied with red or pink ribbon makes for adorable gifts or favors. You can also stack them in a cute box with a personalized note for that extra thoughtful touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. They stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days, perfect if you’re making them ahead or want to savor them gradually.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies in advance, the dough logs freeze beautifully wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag. When ready, just thaw in the fridge overnight, slice, and bake as usual. This trick saved me during a busy Valentine’s Day last year!
Reheating
If you have leftover baked cookies, warming them briefly in a preheated 300º F oven for about 5 minutes refreshes their soft texture and buttery flavor nicely. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them chewy or tough.
FAQs
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Can I use other shapes besides hearts for this Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While hearts are perfect for Valentine’s Day, you can use any small cookie cutter shape you like. Stars, circles, or even letters work great and keep the slice-and-bake technique fun and versatile.
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What if I don’t have almond extract?
No worries! You can simply omit almond extract or replace it with a bit more vanilla extract. The cookies will still be delicious; almond extract is just a subtle flavor booster that adds a unique touch.
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How do I prevent the cookie dough from sticking when rolling out?
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to keep the dough from sticking. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it for 10-15 minutes before rolling again. This is a common trick I found really helps.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, but keep in mind the texture might be slightly different. I recommend chilling the dough well to help it hold together better when sliced and baked.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how the Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe brings a little extra joy into the kitchen. It’s impressive yet straightforward, festive yet classic—perfect for surprising your special someone or making some memories in the kitchen with friends or family. Give this recipe a try, and I’m sure you’ll find it becoming your go-to Valentine’s tradition, just like it is for me. Happy baking and even happier sharing!
Print
Valentine’s Day Slice and Bake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Valentine’s Day Slice N’ Bake Cookies are a festive and fun treat perfect for celebrating the holiday. Featuring a buttery, tender cookie dough dyed in pink and red hues and shaped into heart cutouts, these cookies are coated in colorful nonpareil sprinkles for a cheerful finish. The slice-and-bake method makes them easy to prepare ahead of time, then simply slice and bake when ready for perfectly uniform and charmingly decorated cookies ideal for gifting or sharing at Valentine’s Day gatherings.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (1 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
Coloring and Decoration
- Pink gel food coloring
- Red gel food coloring
- Valentine’s Day nonpareil sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat together the granulated sugar and softened unsalted butter until the mixture is creamy and light, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Add egg and extracts: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually spoon the flour and baking powder mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula just until the dough forms and is well incorporated.
- Divide and color dough: Remove roughly one-third of the dough and divide it into two separate portions. Add red gel food coloring to one portion and pink gel food coloring to the other. Knead each portion until the color is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Roll and cut shapes: Roll each colored dough portion out to about ½ inch thickness. Use a lightly floured 1-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from the dough. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut more shapes until the dough is used up.
- Chill heart cutouts: Arrange the heart cutouts in a line on a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare outer dough ropes: Ten minutes before removing the hearts from the fridge, roll the remaining plain (uncolored) dough into long, narrow ropes that are long enough to encircle the heart shapes lengthwise.
- Wrap hearts with dough ropes: Carefully place the dough ropes around the chilled heart cutouts, gently pressing the ropes in place to fully encase each heart shape.
- Coat with sprinkles: Spread Valentine’s Day nonpareil sprinkles in a shallow dish. Roll each dough-wrapped heart gently in the sprinkles so that all sides are coated evenly.
- Final chill: Wrap the coated dough logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to firm up before slicing.
- Slice and bake: Once well chilled, slice the dough logs into ½ inch thick cookies. Place the slices on a baking sheet spaced at least 1 inch apart. Bake in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175ºC) for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just set.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes after baking to firm up, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Store properly: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and enjoy within several days.
Notes
- Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, for the best creaming results.
- Use gel food coloring to avoid altering the dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for clean slices and to maintain the cookie shape during baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Feel free to customize the sprinkles or use other shapes to suit different occasions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
