Valentine Sandwich Cookies are a delightful way to express affection, especially around February 14th. The joy of baking cookies that not only taste good but also look vibrant and heartwarming is truly a treat. Imagine these sweet little sandwich cookies, with soft, colorful icing and a gooey fruity filling bringing smiles to everyone around you. Each heart-shaped cookie is a little piece of love, ready to be shared. The best part? You can decorate them however you wish, making each batch uniquely yours. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening with your special someone or looking to impress friends and family, these Valentine Sandwich Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate love. Let’s dive into the fun of crafting these scrumptious heart-shaped delights together!
Why This Recipe Works
Valentine Sandwich Cookies are a delightful combination of crispy and soft textures, perfectly complemented by a sweet, fruity filling. The use of simple ingredients, alongside the fun of decorating them, ensures a memorable baking experience that results in beautiful treats sure to impress loved ones.
Why You’ll Love These Valentine Sandwich Cookies
These cookies not only deliver on taste but also on creativity. Shaped like hearts with a stained-glass appearance, they are the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Their vibrant colors and customizable fillings make them great for sharing or gifting, adding a personal touch to your sweet gesture.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
- 2 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- 1 container pink sanding sugar
- 2 cups strawberry preserves
Preparing the Cookie Dough
Preheat and Prepare Your Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lining a large cookie sheet with parchment paper prevents your cookies from sticking.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar. Once mixed, set this mixture aside for later.
Create the Cookie Base
Using an electric mixer, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is creamy and fluffy. Next, gradually add the flour mixture, incorporating it one cup at a time until everything is fully combined.
Roll and Cut Out Cookies
Lightly flour your work surface. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth, then roll it out to achieve a thickness of 1/4 inch. It’s time to cut out 24 heart shapes using a cookie cutter. For half of the cookies, use a smaller heart cutter to create a charming heart-shaped window in the center.
Bake the Cookies
Once your heart shapes are cut, carefully place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes. After baking, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Trust me, the aroma in your kitchen will make everything worthwhile!
Making the Icing
Mix the Icing Ingredients
In a standing mixer, mix 2 egg whites, 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend on medium speed until the icing reaches stiff peaks, which should take around 7 minutes.
Prepare for Decorating
Scoop a portion of the icing into a piping bag for outlining the cookies. Next, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the remaining icing, mixing until it’s smooth. Pour this mixture into a squeeze bottle for easier decorating.
Decorating the Cookies
Outline and Fill Cookies
Start by using the piping bag to outline the cookies that have the cut-out heart shapes. After outlining, fill in those outlines using the thinned icing from the squeeze bottle.
Add the Sanding Sugar
For a decorative touch, pour pink sanding sugar onto a plate or medium bowl. Carefully dip the icing parts of the cookies into the sprinkles and place them back onto the cookie sheet. This adds a beautiful sparkle!
Assemble the Sandwich Cookies
Let the decorated cookies sit for about an hour to harden. On the solid cookies, scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of strawberry preserves and spread it evenly. Place the heart-shaped cookie with sprinkles on top, pressing gently to stick. Allow the assembled cookies to sit for another 5 minutes before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
Present these Valentine Sandwich Cookies on a beautiful platter. They would pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or a refreshing glass of milk. Whether you’re serving them during dinner or giving them as a gift, they make for a sweet treat sure to impress.
Tips for Success
- Ensure your butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Watch your baking time closely; cookies should be soft and chewy, not hard.
- Feel free to experiment with different flavored jams to create unique variations.
Variations
- Swap the strawberry preserves for raspberry or apricot for a different taste.
- Use natural food coloring in the icing to create custom colors for various holidays.
- Get creative with different shapes of cookies for special events.
Storage Tips
Store your freshly baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, consider freezing them without the icing. You can add decorations when you’re ready to serve.
Pairing Ideas
These cookies pair beautifully with a chilled glass of milk, a cup of comforting tea, or even a sweet dessert wine. The flavors of the cookies blend wonderfully with these beverages, making each bite even sweeter.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: While butter provides the best flavor and texture, margarine can be used as a substitute if needed.
Q2: How long can I store these cookies?
A: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.
Q3: Can I make the dough in advance?
A: Yes! The dough can be prepared ahead of time, wrapped tightly, and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or frozen for up to a month.
Q4: Can I use a different type of jam?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite jams, like raspberry or blueberry, for a unique twist.
Q5: How can I make the icing colored?
A: You can add a few drops of food coloring to the icing before mixing it, allowing you to achieve the desired hue.
These Valentine Sandwich Cookies offer a delightful way to celebrate love and friendship. Their beautiful designs and delicious flavors make them perfect for any occasion where you want to share a little sweetness. Whether you’re gifting them or enjoying them with family, these cookies are sure to create lasting memories and smiles. Enjoy the baking process, the decorating, and, most importantly, indulging in these heartfelt treats!
Print
Valentine Sandwich Cookies
These charming heart-shaped cookies blend crispy and soft textures with fruity fillings, making them an ideal treat for Valentine’s Day that showcases creativity.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
- 2 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- 1 container pink sanding sugar
- 2 cups strawberry preserves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar in a large bowl and set aside.
- Cream the butter and powdered sugar, then add the egg and vanilla extract until fluffy.
- Gradually add the flour mixture until fully combined.
- Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out heart shapes.
- Bake cookies for about 15 minutes and cool on a wire rack.
- Mix icing ingredients until stiff peaks form, then outline and fill cookies.
- Decorate with pink sanding sugar and assemble the sandwich cookies.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Use softened butter for easy mixing.
Keep an eye on baking time for soft, chewy cookies.
Experiment with different flavored jams for unique variations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 20
