These cute Valentine sandwich cookies are a sweet treat filled with creamy goodness, perfect for sharing. With a sprinkle of love and some festive colors, they’re sure to brighten anyone’s day!
Pro tip: I always make extra to keep a few for myself! Who can resist that delicious filling? You’ll want to make them again and again; they’re that good. đź’–
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the cookies. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for texture!
Butter: Unsalted butter keeps the sweetness balanced. If you’re dairy-free, vegan butter or coconut oil can work well as substitutes, but keep in mind that the texture might differ slightly.
Red Fruit Jam: Strawberry or raspberry jam adds color and sweetness. You can swap it out for apricot or any flavor you like, or even do a mix of flavors for fun!
Food Coloring: While optional, it adds a festive touch! If you prefer a natural option, look for natural food coloring or beet juice instead.
How Do I Make the Perfect Cookie Dough?
The cookie dough is important for a great texture! Start by mixing the dry ingredients and wet separate. This helps to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough. Once you combine them, mix just until a dough forms. This dough needs some chill time!
- Chill your dough for at least an hour. This helps the butter firm up and makes rolling easier.
- Keep the dough cool while working with it—if it gets too warm, it will be harder to cut out shapes neatly.
How Can I Achieve Beautiful Decoration?
Decorating is where you can let your creativity shine! Use a piping bag for the buttercream or royal icing. If you’re not familiar with piping, start with just a simple dot or line until you feel more comfortable. Practice makes perfect!
- To achieve a nice smooth finish, you can chill your cookies for a little after piping, as this helps the icing set.
- Don’t forget to add sprinkles—they add fun texture and color!
Now you have all the tools you need to make delightful Valentine sandwich cookies! Enjoy baking and sharing them with loved ones!
Easy Valentine Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red or pink food coloring (optional)
For Assembly and Decoration:
- Red fruit jam or jelly (strawberry or raspberry works great)
- Pink or red buttercream or royal icing for piping
- Valentine-themed sprinkles
Time Needed:
This delightful dessert will take about 2 hours to prepare, including 1 hour of chilling time for the dough. These cookies are perfect for making ahead of time and enjoy sharing them with loved ones on Valentine’s Day!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This is your dry mix! In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until they are light and fluffy; this usually takes about 3 minutes. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is just blended. Finally, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring until the dough forms. Remember, don’t overmix it!
2. Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and pop them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This helps firm up the dough, making it easier to roll out later.
3. Roll and Cut the Cookies:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Using a scalloped heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many cookies as you can and transfer them to the baking sheets. For half of your cookies, use a smaller heart-shaped cutter to create a window cut-out. Bake them for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn light golden brown. Once baked, let them cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes before moving them to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Prepare the Filling:
While your cookies are cooling, let’s make the filling! In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Pour in the heavy cream or milk and vanilla, and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. If you want to add color, toss in some red or pink food coloring, mixing until you reach your desired shade!
5. Assemble the Sandwich Cookies:
Now, it’s assembly time! Spread or pipe a layer of the buttercream filling onto the flat side of each whole heart cookie. For the cookies with the heart cut-out centers, spread a thin layer of red jam over the surface. Gently press the jam-covered cookie on top of the frosted cookie, so the filling reaches the edges. Enjoy the colorful layers!
6. Decorate:
Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, create little dots or a decorative border around the window of each top cookie with extra buttercream or royal icing. To add even more charm, sprinkle on some Valentine-themed sprinkles!
7. Let Set and Serve:
Allow the assembled cookies to sit for at least 30 minutes. This lets the flavors meld together, and the filling sets up nicely. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate if you want them to last longer.
Now, enjoy sharing these charming, delicious Valentine sandwich cookies full of sweet frosting and fruity jam! They’re sure to be a hit! đź’–
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also bake the cookies and assemble them a day before serving to save time on the day of your event.
What Can I Use Instead of Jam?
If you prefer, you can use lemon curd, chocolate ganache, or even a flavored cream cheese frosting as a filling instead of jam. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will change a bit with these alternatives!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Can I Freez These Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the baked and assembled cookies! Just place them in a single layer in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
