When the heart-shaped boxes begin popping up in stores and the aisles are flooded with rosy-hued treats, it’s a sure sign that Valentine’s Day is around the corner! If there’s one treat that holds a special place in my heart (pun intended), it’s these delightful Valentine’s Shortbread Hearts. Picture this: buttery, crumbly shortbread kissed with sweet chocolate, dressed up in festive sprinkles. They’re simple yet utterly charming, making them the perfect token to share with that special someone—or just to treat yourself!
Why you’ll love this recipe
This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s a love letter to those you cherish. The tender shortbread has a melt-in-your-mouth quality that sweeps you away with every bite. Sweetened perfectly with caster sugar and enriched by the lusciousness of unsalted butter, it’s a classic that never goes out of style. But what truly makes these hearts shine is the decorative touch—the drizzled chocolate and playful sprinkles that turn simple cookies into festive treats!
Baking these hearts together brings an element of joy that goes beyond the oven. There’s something magical about rolling out dough and cutting it into shapes. Plus, they’re the kind of treat that’s surprisingly easy to make yet always impresses! Picture yourself happily nibbling one while sipping tea or surprising a loved one with a carefully packaged gift. What’s not to love?
Gather these ingredients
To create these lovably sweet hearts, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients that work wonders:
- 150 g Plain flour: This is our foundation, giving the cookies a light structure. While you could swap this with gluten-free flour if needed, the texture might change a bit.
- 100 g Unsalted butter (soft at room temperature): This beauty is the secret hero. Ensure it’s soft—you want that creamy consistency to blend easily with the sugar. If you’re feeling adventurous, could try using coconut oil for a dairy-free twist!
- 50 g Caster sugar: Its fine granules dissolve quickly, ensuring a lovely sweetness throughout the dough. If you don’t have caster sugar, granulated sugar will do just fine—just give it a quick blitz in a food processor.
- 50 g Milk chocolate: Who doesn’t love milk chocolate? It adds a lovely creaminess and sweetness when melted. Dark chocolate can be used for an adult twist!
- 50 g White chocolate: It not only adds a contrast in color but also a delightful sweetness. If you aren’t a fan, you could double up on the milk chocolate for a more uniform taste!
- Valentine’s sprinkles: These little guys are the cherry on top—literally! They bring a sense of festivity and fun that’s just perfect for the occasion.
Preparing Valentine’s Shortbread Hearts
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get baking! Here’s how it’s done:
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Preheat the oven: Start by firing things up to 160°C (320°F). I like to think of this as bringing the warmth to your kitchen and setting the stage for deliciousness.
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Cream the butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and caster sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates air pockets and gives your shortbread that tender crumb we all love.
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Incorporate the flour: Gently add the plain flour to the butter-sugar mix, folding it in until just combined. Avoid overmixing; we’re going for tenderness, not toughness!
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Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in cling film, and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
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Roll and cut the shapes: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about half a centimeter thick. Use your heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out delightful hearts and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
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Bake to perfection: Pop them in the preheated oven for around 12-15 minutes, or until they’re just starting to turn golden around the edges.
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Cool them down: Once baked, let them the hearts cool on a wire rack while we prepare the chocolate.
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Melt the chocolates: You can do this in a microwave in short bursts or over a double boiler. Drizzling melted milk and white chocolate over the cooled hearts is where the magic happens, so don’t rush it!
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Decorate: While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle your Valentine’s sprinkles on top to bring those hearts to life!
Best way to enjoy it
These darling shortbread hearts can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways! Present them beautifully on a plate, surrounded by fresh strawberries or alongside a steaming mug of tea or coffee. For even more flair, consider packing them in a cute box with a little note for your loved one. They also make delightful additions to a dessert table or a sweet surprise in lunchboxes.
How to store and freeze
Leftovers? No problem! Store your shortbread hearts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, pop them in the fridge. You can even freeze the baked hearts for up to three months—just be sure to layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Pro chef tips
- Aim for a soft butter stage: Your butter should be so soft that it leaves an indention when pressed with your finger.
- Don’t skip the chill: This is a game-changer! Chilling the dough makes handling it easier and helps retain their shape while baking.
- Experiment with flavors: Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of sea salt to enhance flavor or a hint of vanilla extract for extra warmth.
Creative Twists
Why not change things up a bit? Add some almond extract for a nutty depth, or incorporate citrus zest for a refreshing twist! You could also dip them entirely in chocolate for that decadent feel or experiment with shaped cutters—stars or flowers could be just as enchanting.
Ingredients
- 150 g Plain flour
- 100 g Unsalted butter (soft at room temperature)
- 50 g Caster sugar
- 50 g Milk chocolate
- 50 g White chocolate
- Valentine’s sprinkles (to decorate)
Directions to follow
- Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
- Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until fluffy.
- Gently fold in the flour until just combined.
- Chill the dough shaped into a disc for 30 minutes.
- Roll out on a floured surface and cut into hearts.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- Melt the chocolates and drizzle over the hearts.
- Sprinkle with Valentine’s sprinkles while the chocolate is warm.
Your questions answered
- How long does this take to prepare? Prep time is about 15 minutes, plus chilling and baking time – total about an hour.
- Can I make these vegan? Absolutely! Swap the butter for a vegan alternative and use dairy-free chocolate.
- What if I want to add more sweetness? You can increase the sugar slightly; just be mindful that it may alter the cookie’s texture.
- How do I make these gluten-free? Substitute the plain flour for a good quality gluten-free blend.
- What do I do with leftover chocolate? You can drizzle it over fruits or other baked goods, or simply enjoy it as a sweet treat!
Remember, cooking is all about the love you pour into it, but it’s also about having fun! So gather those ingredients and make some heart-shaped magic today. I can’t wait for you to try these and to hear how they turned out! Let’s spread some sweetness!
Valentine’s Shortbread Hearts
Description
These charming Valentine’s Shortbread Hearts are buttery and crumbly, adorned with melted chocolate and festive sprinkles. Perfect for sharing with loved ones or indulging yourself!Ingredients
For the Shortbread Cookies
Instructions
Baking the Shortbread Hearts
-
Preheat the Oven
Start by firing things up to 160°C (320°F). -
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and caster sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. -
Incorporate the Flour
Gently add the plain flour and fold until just combined.Avoid overmixing. -
Chill the Dough
Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in cling film, and chill for 30 minutes.Prevent spreading during baking. -
Roll and Cut Shapes
Roll out the dough to half a centimeter thick and cut out heart shapes.Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. -
Bake
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden. -
Cool and Decorate
Cool on a wire rack, then melt the chocolates to drizzle over the cooled hearts and sprinkle with festive decorations.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 150kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 7g11%
- Saturated Fat 4g20%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 20mg7%
- Sodium 50mg3%
- Potassium 40mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 21g8%
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugars 8g
- Protein 1g2%
- Vitamin A 180 IU
- Vitamin C 0 mg
- Calcium 20 mg
- Iron 0.5 mg
- Vitamin D 0 IU
- Vitamin E 0.5 IU
- Vitamin K 1 mcg
- Thiamin 0 mg
- Riboflavin 0.1 mg
- Niacin 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B6 0 mg
- Folate 5 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0 mcg
- Biotin 0 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0.5 mg
- Phosphorus 20 mg
- Iodine 0 mcg
- Magnesium 5 mg
- Zinc 0.2 mg
- Selenium 0 mcg
- Copper 0 mg
- Manganese 0.1 mg
- Chromium 0 mcg
- Molybdenum 0 mcg
- Chloride 0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
