Description
Irresistible Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies promise sweet love in every delightful bite. Romantic bakers can craft these charming treats with simple ingredients, sharing affection through delicious homemade desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) salted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
Sweeteners:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) light brown sugar, packed
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, whip together granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and peanut butter until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until well integrated.
- Gradually fold in flour and baking soda, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms.
- Portion dough into tablespoon-sized portions and gently roll into balls.
- Position each dough ball on the prepared baking sheet, using thumb and index finger to pinch the bottom, creating a distinctive V-shape at the heart’s base.
- Refine the heart contour with careful hand shaping, optionally using a heart-shaped cookie cutter to enhance edges.
- Utilize a fork to delicately press a criss-cross pattern across the cookie surface, adding textural dimension.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges and set centers.
- After removing from oven, allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Embellish with festive sprinkles or chocolate drizzle for an extra romantic Valentine’s Day touch.
Notes
- Precision matters when shaping heart cookies, so work gently and slowly to create smooth, symmetrical edges that look professionally crafted.
- Create gluten-free variations by substituting regular flour with almond flour or a certified gluten-free baking blend for those with dietary restrictions.
- For enhanced flavor complexity, try using different nut butters like almond or cashew butter instead of traditional peanut butter, which adds unique taste dimensions.
- Prevent cookie spreading by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before shaping, ensuring crisp heart outlines and maintaining the perfect texture during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg