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    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Cookies Recipes » Valentine's Day Heart Shortbread Cookies

    Published: Jan 16, 2024 by Kristen Massad · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Valentine's Day Heart Shortbread Cookies

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    Pink heart plates with heart cookies and heart candies placed on them.
    Pink heart plates with heart cookies and heart candies placed on them.
    Pink heart plates with heart cookies and heart candies placed on them.

    Valentine's Day Heart Shortbread Cookies are buttery goodness that you are going to fall in love with. Quick and easy shortbread cookie dough cut into hearts and dipped into a creamy colorful glaze and sprinkled with a touch of shimmer.

    Pink heart plates with heart cookies and heart candies placed on them.

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    February is one of my favorite months, we are one month into the year and we have had time to settle in. As we head into this month and Valentine's Day full of love, friendship and family time, there are so many ways we can make this holiday extra special for our Valentine or Galentine! Sweet treats are always a must and these Valentine's Day Heart Shortbread Cookies are a classic that you will want to make every year.

    These decorated glazed heart shortbread cookies are super buttery and easily dipped into an extra creamy colorful glaze. The pastel pink, yellow, turquoise and lime green glaze resemble our favorite conversation heart candies and make the perfect dessert, neighbor gift or treats for Valentine's Day classroom parties at school!

    Ingredients

    Heart cookies on a tray with a cooling rack next to four bowls of pink, yellow, green and turquoise icing.

    Shortbread Cookie Dough
    Sugar- Granulated sugar is the best for these buttery cookies.
    Butter-I prefer to use unsalted butter for my cookie recipes, this way I can control the amount of salt that goes into my recipes!
    Egg-Only ONE egg!!
    Vanilla- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean adds a wonderful flavor to these shortbread cookies. I love using fresh vanilla bean scraped or vanilla bean paste for an extra pop of vanilla flavor.
    Flour-All purpose flour is the only flour you need for these cookies.

    Cookie Glaze
    Powdered Sugar- Sifted powdered sugar (aka confectioners sugar) is going to create a sweet and creamy glaze for these cookies.
    Milk- It is important to use whole milk for the frosting recipe for a thick texture. I also like using heavy cream if you prefer a slightly richer glaze.

    Step-by-Step Directions

    Prepare The Shortbread Cookie Dough 

    • Cream together the sugar and butter in a mixing bowl with paddle attachment until creamy
    • Add egg and vanilla bean to the butter mixture, scrape down the sides and mix until combined 
    • Slowly add the flour and mix until the dough comes together into a ball
    • Place the dough on a floured surface and gently kneed until smooth
    • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes 
    Heart cookies on a baking sheet.

    Bake The Shortbread Cookies

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper while waiting for the dough to chill
    • Roll the dough into ⅛" thick and cut into heart shapes (small, medium and large hearts) 
    • Bake the cookies for 14-16 minutes or until the edges turn light golden in color
    • Allow the cookies to cool completely before glazing
    Heart cookies on a tray with a cooling rack.

    Glaze The Cookies

    • In a medium bowl combine the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract; whisk together until smooth and creamy (if the glaze is to thick, add more milk or to thin, add more powdered sugar)
    • Separate the glaze into 4 small bowls and add one of each food color to each bowl (light pink, yellow and turquoise) and mix to combine 
    • Dip the top of each cookie into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off and then place the glazed cookie on a drying rack
    • Allow the cookies to dry completely before stacking, packaging or serving. 
    Pink heart plates with heart cookies and heart candies placed on them.

    What You Need

    Mixer
    It is best to use an electric mixer with a paddle attachment for an easy mixing process.
    Heart Cookie Cutters
    A variety of sizes are a great way to mix these cookies up, but you can use all one size as well!
    Food Coloring
    I love using gel food coloring when mixing glaze or frosting. This food coloring can make pastel shades or vibrant and bold shades of color.
    Edible Glitter
    I love the addition of a little sparkle on these cookies and edible glitter is the key to making every cookie look great!
    Rolling Pin
    I use a french rolling pin, tapered at the ends, but any rolling pin will do. This is a staple in the kitchen that sometimes we forget we need.
    Heart Plates
    These are the cutest and most festive Valentine's Day plates that are all different shades of pink!

    Tips and FAQS To Make The Best Valentine's Day Cookies

    Room Temperature Ingredients
    When making shortbread cookie dough, it is important to have all the ingredients at room temperature to be sure that all ingredients combine evenly mix together.

    Storing Glazed Shortbread Cookies
    If the shortbread cookies are baked and not going to be glazed immediately, store them in an airtight container or plastic zip lock bag to keep them fresh for up to 1 week. Once the cookies are glazed, I would recommend eating them within 3 days. If you have some leftover you can store them in an airtight container once the glaze is dry.

    Valentine's Day Gifting
    These Glazed Heart Shortbread Cookies make the perfect gift for Valentine's Day! For your favorite neighbor, friend, family or Classroom Valentine's Day Party, these cookies are the perfect treat! Wrap each cookie or a group of cookies in cellophane bags with a ribbon and a cute gift tag and you are all set for the sweetest Valentines Treat.

    How long will these cookies stay fresh?

    The shortbread cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for 1 week. Once you glaze the cookies I would enjoy them within 3 days to ensure the glaze stays soft and fresh.

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    Pink heart plates with heart cookies and heart candies placed on them.

    Valentine's Day Heart Shortbread Cookies

    Valentine's Day Heart Shortbread Cookies are buttery goodness that you are going to fall in love with. Quick and easy shortbread cookie dough cut into hearts and dipped into a creamy colorful glaze and sprinkled with a touch of shimmer.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cookies, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Cookies, Dessert
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes minutes
    Glaze Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 46 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 Cookies
    Calories: 249kcal
    Author: Kristen Massad

    Ingredients

    Shortbread Cookie Dough

    • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
    • 2 Cups Unsalted Butter Room Temperature
    • 1 Egg
    • Tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste Or Vanilla Extract
    • 4 Cups All Purpose Flour

    Cookie Glaze

    • 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
    • 6-8 Tablespoons Whole Milk
    • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • Food Coloring: Pink, Yellow, Lime Green and Turquoise

    Instructions

    Prepare The Shortbread Cookie Dough

    • Cream together the sugar and butter in a mixing bowl with paddle attachment until creamy
    • Add egg and vanilla bean to the butter mixture, scrape down the sides and mix until combined
    • Slowly add the flour and mix until the dough comes together into a ball
    • Place the dough on a floured surface and gently kneed until smooth
    • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes
    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper while waiting for the dough to chill
    • Roll the dough into ⅛" thick and cut into heart shapes (small, medium and large hearts)
    • Bake the cookies for 14-16 minutes or until the edges turn light golden in color
    • Allow the cookies to cool completely before glazing

    Glaze The Cookies

    • In a medium bowl combine the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract; whisk together until smooth and creamy (if the glaze is to thick, add more milk or to thin, add more powdered sugar)
    • Separate the glaze into 4 small bowls and add one of each food color to each bowl (light pink, yellow and turquoise) and mix to combine
    • Dip the top of each cookie into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off and then place the glazed cookie on a drying rack
    • Allow the cookies to dry completely before stacking, packaging or serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 483IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @JoyandOliver or tag #JoyandOliver!

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