Slice And Bake Heart Cookies Recipe

I adore my Slice And Bake Heart Cookies that put a delightful twist on an old favorite. Using all-purpose flour, softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla, these charming treats offer an irresistibly tender bite. I can’t wait for you to explore this naturally sweet recipe crafted just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Jump to Recipe

I was inspired to recreate those classic slice and bake cookies in a heart shape for Valentine’s Day and this recipe turned out to be a real game changer. I mix 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and a pinch of salt before creaming together 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 8 ounces of cream cheese.

I then add a cup of granulated sugar, one large egg, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract which tie everything together in the most amazing way. I love that this recipe takes a simple twist on old favorites like baked dessert recipes and fun baking recipes, bringing a fresh feel to sweet snack recipes.

It’s perfect for those days when you want to surprise someone with a tasty treat thats both nostalgic and modern, without any of the artificial flavors you usually get in store bought versions. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because:
1. I love how easy it is to follow every step, making me feel confident even when I’m cooking for the first time.
2. I really enjoy the cream cheese and butter combo in the dough – it gives the cookies an amazing, rich flavor that I just can’t get enough of.
3. I appreciate that I can roll out the dough and cut out cute heart shapes, which makes baking feel extra special and personal.
4. I feel good knowing there aren’t any artificial colors or flavors in it – it brings back memories of those old slice and bake cookies, but in a more wholesome and natural kind of way.

I remember when slice and bake cookies used to come in a tube and it felt like magic every time I opened one. Now, I can make my own version at home in the shape of a heart for Valentine’s Day. It’s super cool because there aren’t any weird artificial additives messing with the taste; everything is homemade and real. Even if the steps sometimes trip me up, the process always gives me a sense of nostalgia and an excuse to experiment in the kitchen.

Ingredients

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All-purpose flour gives structure and energy from carbs, making every cookie hearty.
Baking powder helps cookies rise, creatin a lighter and tender texture.
Unsalted butter adds rich flavor and moisture, makin the cookies soft and tasty.
Cream cheese brings extra creaminess and a subtle tang that brightens each bite.
Granulated sugar sweetens the dough and balances the tangy cream cheese perfectly.
Egg binds the ingredients together while addin protein and moisture to the mix.
Vanilla extract deepens flavor and rounds off the overall sweet taste nicely.

Ingredient Quantities

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper

2. In a bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt

3. In another big bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 8 ounces softened cream cheese until the mix is smooth

4. Stir in 1 cup granulated sugar until it looks light and fluffy then beat in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring until a soft dough forms

6. Gather the dough into a log or a flat disc, cover it tightly with cling wrap, and chill it in the fridge for at least one hour so it’s firm enough for slicing

7. Dust a clean surface lightly with flour, then roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness

8. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter (or freehand it if you’re feeling creative) to cut out heart shapes from the dough

9. Place the heart cookies on the prepared baking sheets with a little space between each

10. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just set and the cookies start to get a light golden color, then let them cool a bit on the sheet before moving them to a rack

Enjoy your homemade heart cookies for a really special treat!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – Preheat it to 350°F for even baking.
2. Baking sheets – You’ll need at least two, lined with parchment paper.
3. Mixing bowls – One for the dry ingredients and another for the wet mix.
4. Whisk – Used to properly combine your flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Electric mixer – Necessary for beating the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
6. Measuring cups and spoons – For accurate quantities of every ingredient.
7. Spatula – Helps to stir in the sugar and fold the dry ingredients into the wet mix.
8. Cling wrap – To cover the dough securely while it chills in the fridge.
9. Rolling pin – To roll out your dough evenly on a lightly floured surface.
10. Heart-shaped cookie cutter – If you want that cute shape, or you can cut them freehand.
11. Cooling rack – Essential to let your cookies cool down adequately after baking.

FAQ

How do I slice the dough for these cookies?

You wanna slice the dough about 1/4 inch thick so the cookies bake evenly and get that nice heart shape.

Can I substitute any ingredients if I dont have cream cheese?

Yeah, you can try using mascarpone cheese, but be carefull cause it might change the flavor a bit.

How long should I bake the cookies for?

They typically need around 10-12 minutes in a preheated oven at 350°F, but every oven's different so keep an eye on them.

Can I store these cookies for later?

Sure thing, store them in an airtight container at room temp for a couple days, or fridge them if you need them for longer.

Any tips for getting the best texture?

Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temp before mixing, that really helps create a smooth dough.

Slice And Bake Heart Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

All-purpose flour: You can try whole wheat flour or a gluten-free blend, but remember the texture might change slightly.
Unsalted butter: Instead of unsalted butter, you could use salted butter (just cut down on the extra salt) or even margarine which is easier to find sometimes.
Cream cheese: If you run out of cream cheese, mascarpone or even a thick Greek yogurt (strained well) can work as a substitute.
Granulated sugar: You might want to swap out regular sugar with coconut sugar for a different flavor or brown sugar if you dont mind a bit of extra moisture.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter and cream cheese are super soft before you mix, cause if they’re a bit too cold they might not blend right and your cookies could end up a bit lumpy.
2. Don’t skimp on chilling the dough – even if it says one hour, if you can let it sit a bit longer the slices come out cleaner and holds its shape better when you’re cutting them.
3. When you’re rolling out the dough, use just enough flour on the surface so it doesn’t stick, but be careful not to use too much cause that can change the texture of your cookies.
4. If you’re into experimenting, try using different cookie cutters or even freehand cutting shapes – sometimes a little creativity can lead to a super fun twist on your cookies.