Description
Delightful heart-shaped sugar cookies from Italy promise romantic moments with loved ones. Crisp edges, delicate centers, and sweet vanilla notes invite bakers to create memories of love and connection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2–3 tbsps milk
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles or decorative sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by lining sheets with parchment paper and heating the oven to 375F (190C).
- Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to eliminate any lumps.
- In a separate large bowl, blend softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth consistency.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully integrated and the batter appears uniform.
- Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, adding milk sparingly to achieve a pliable, soft dough texture.
- Separate the dough and optionally tint with food coloring for visual appeal. Gently roll out on a flour-dusted surface to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create precise shapes, transferring each delicate cutout onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Enhance the cookies’ appearance by sprinkling decorative sugar or colorful sprinkles across the surface.
- Slide the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks before serving, ensuring a crisp and delicate texture.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp heart shapes.
- Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother, more consistent cookie texture.
- Try natural food colorings like beetroot powder or matcha for vibrant, chemical-free colors.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or oat flour for a celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 121 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg