Stripped Heart Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for celebrating love. These cookies are beautifully decorated with vibrant shades of pink and red, making them an eye-catching addition to any Valentine’s Day spread. The combination of smooth icing and playful stripes gives each cookie a unique charm that is hard to resist.
Incorporating these cookies into your Valentine’s baking ideas is a great way to show someone you care. They are not only fun to make but also to share! Picture gathering your loved ones around the kitchen, rolling out dough and cutting out heart shapes, bringing everyone together in a joyful baking experience.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
5–6 tablespoons warm water
Red and pink gel food coloring
Instructions
Preparing the Cookies:
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
Decorating with Royal Icing:
In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder.
Add warm water one tablespoon at a time until the icing reaches a pipeable consistency.
Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with red and pink food coloring.
Fill piping bags with icing and outline each cookie with white icing.
Flood the cookies with red or pink icing and let them set for a few minutes.
Using a contrasting color, pipe horizontal stripes across the cookies.
Drag a toothpick or skewer through the stripes to create a marbled effect.
Let the icing dry completely before serving or packaging.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1-hour chilling)
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Decorating Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours
Baking Pro Tips
Chill the dough: This prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Use gel food coloring: It provides vibrant colors without altering the icing consistency.
Test your icing consistency: If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add a little water.
Work quickly with stripes: Drag the toothpick immediately after piping to get the best effect.
Store properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Stripped Heart Cookies are the perfect way to add a festive and loving touch to your Valentine’s celebrations. Whether you’re making them for a special someone or enjoying a fun baking session with loved ones, these cookies are sure to bring joy. Their vibrant colors and sweet flavors make them a must-have Valentine’s Day treat!