The Sweetest Way to Say I Love You
Have you ever noticed how a simple kitchen timer sounds different when you are baking for the people you love? When I was growing up in Texas, my grandmother used to say that the secret ingredient in her legendary BBQ was not the hickory smoke, but the patience she had while waiting for us to gather around the table. Today, as a husband to Emily and a father to Adams and Jana, I have realized she was right. Cooking is about making people happy. This year, my kids wanted to create something special for their classmates, leading us to perfect these Valentine Cookie Sandwiches. The scent of vanilla and butter wafting through the house brought back every warm memory of Grandma’s kitchen, but with a new, colorful twist that my nine year old Jana absolutely adores.
Whether you are planning a romantic evening or a school party, these homemade valentine heart cookie sandwiches are the ultimate expression of affection. They are more than just a dessert; they are a project that brings the family together. Adams, who is twelve now and getting quite tall, took charge of the mixer, while Jana focused on the heart shapes. We found that the process of sandwiching creamy filling between two soft cookies is just as satisfying as eating them. These Valentine dessert cookies are designed to be soft, flavorful, and sturdy enough to hold a variety of fillings, from classic buttercream to rich chocolate ganache.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
- Ingredients for Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
- How to Make Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
- Pro Tips & Variations
- Valentine Cookie Sandwiches Serving Suggestions
- Valentine Cookie Sandwiches Storage & Reheating
- FAQ about Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
There is something inherently joyful about heart shaped cookies stacked high on a cooling rack. My family loves these because they strike the perfect balance between a nostalgic treat and a gourmet dessert. If you are looking for valentine’s day treats that impress without requiring a professional pastry degree, you have come to the right place. First and foremost, these are incredibly kid friendly. Jana loves the vibrant pink and red colors we use for the frosting, and Adams enjoys the challenge of getting the edges perfectly aligned. It is a fantastic way to keep them engaged in the kitchen during those chilly February afternoons.
Another reason to love these Valentine sandwich cookies is their versatility. You can easily adapt the base dough to create red velvet sandwich cookies valentine’s day style by adding a touch of cocoa and red gel coloring. This recipe also focuses on a no spread sugar cookies valentine technique, ensuring your hearts stay crisp and defined rather than melting into amorphous blobs in the oven. My wife Emily always says that a cookie should look as good as it tastes, and these certainly deliver. They are also quite comfort food oriented, using simple pantry staples like butter and sugar to create a melt in your mouth texture.
For those who love a bit of variety, these sandwiches can be filled with anything your heart desires. While we often stick to heart shaped sandwich cookies with vanilla buttercream, you can also experiment with jams or even a decadent chocolate center. If you want to try something even more seasonal, you might consider pairing them with my Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe for a full dessert platter. These cookies also travel well, making them perfect for gifting to neighbors or bringing to a community potluck. They carry a sense of homemade charm that a store bought box simply cannot replicate.
Ingredients for Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
To make these Valentine Cookie Sandwiches, you will need classic ingredients that provide a rich, buttery foundation. I always recommend using high quality butter because the flavor really shines through in a shortbread style cookie.
- All Purpose Flour: The structure of our cookie depends on this. Ensure you measure by spooning and leveling to keep the cookies light.
- Unsalted Butter: Room temperature is key. We want it soft but not melted to create that light, aerated texture when creamed with sugar.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with that slightly crisp edge.
- Large Egg: One egg acts as the binder to hold our heart shapes together.
- Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla for the best aromatic experience.
- Powdered Sugar: This is for the creamy valentine cookie sandwiches filling.
- Pink or Red Food Coloring: Gel colors work best for vibrant hues without changing the consistency of the dough or frosting.
- Milk or Heavy Cream: Just a splash to get the buttercream to a pipeable consistency.
- Pinch of Salt: To balance the sweetness of the sugar.
How to Make Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter and granulated sugar together. You are looking for a pale, fluffy texture which usually takes about three minutes. I always tell Jana that this step is like building the foundation of a house. If the foundation is airy, the whole cookie will be light.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and the vanilla extract. If you are making red velvet cookies, this is the stage where you would add your cocoa powder and red food coloring. The mixture should look smooth and smell heavenly.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt. Mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Overmixing leads to tough cookies, and we want these chocolate heart sandwich cookies for valentine or vanilla ones to be tender and soft.
- Chill the Dough: This is a crucial step for no spread sugar cookies valentine. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least one hour. This prevents the butter from melting too quickly in the oven, keeping those heart shapes perfect.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about a quarter inch thickness. Use a heart shaped cutter to create your cookies. If you want to get fancy, you can cut a smaller heart out of the center of half the cookies to show off the filling inside, similar to the style seen on Valentine Raspberry Sandwich Cookies.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the cookies on a parchment lined sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 8 to 10 minutes. They should not brown much. Leave them to cool completely on a wire rack. A warm cookie will melt your frosting, which is a lesson Jana learned the hard way last year.
- Prepare the Filling: While the cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, a little more softened butter, and vanilla. Add a drop of pink food coloring for that pink heart sandwich cookies look. Each sandwich needs about a tablespoon of frosting.
- Assemble: Flip one cookie over, pipe or spread the frosting, and gently press another cookie on top. Your homemade valentine heart cookie sandwiches are now ready for the final touch of sprinkles or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Pro Tips & Variations
If you want to take your Valentine sandwich cookies to the next level, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. First, for a deeper flavor profile, try adding a half teaspoon of almond extract. It gives the cookies a professional bakery taste that Emily absolutely loves. If you are feeling adventurous, you can swap the buttercream for a fruit based center. I often use my Amish Christmas Jam Without Pectin to create valentine raspberry sandwich cookies recipe variations. The tartness of the berries cuts through the sweet dough beautifully.
For a chocolate sandwich cookies version, simply replace half a cup of flour with high quality cocoa powder. These pair exceptionally well with a cream cheese frosting. If you have family members with dietary restrictions, these can be made gluten free by using a 1 to 1 gluten free flour blend. Just ensure your brand contains xanthan gum to help with the structure. For a more sophisticated palate, lavender valentine sandwich cookies can be made by infusing your sugar with culinary lavender for a few days before baking. It adds a lovely floral note that feels very elegant.
Valentine Cookie Sandwiches Serving Suggestions
When I serve these valentine cookies, I like to make an event of it. Since Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of winter, a hot beverage is a must. These cookies are sturdy enough to be dipped into a mug of hot cocoa or a creamy latte. If you are hosting a brunch, these look beautiful on a tiered tray alongside my Valentines Brownie Bites Recipe. The different heights and textures create a stunning visual for your guests.
Another fun idea is to create a cookie decorating station for the kids. I set out bowls of different colored frostings and various shaped sprinkles, then let Adams and Jana go to town. It is messy, sure, but the memories are worth every crumb on the floor. If you want a more fruit forward pairing, serve these sandwiches with Pink Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. The combination of the buttery cookie and the fresh strawberry is a match made in heaven. For a crunchy contrast, you can even serve them with Easy Homemade Butter Toffee Pretzels for a sweet and salty snack board.
Valentine Cookie Sandwiches Storage & Reheating
Storage is simple, though in my house, these Valentine Cookie Sandwiches rarely last more than forty eight hours. You can store the assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or if you used a cream cheese filling, keep them in the refrigerator to stay fresh. The cookies actually soften slightly after a day as they absorb a bit of moisture from the frosting, which many people find even more delicious.
If you want to bake ahead of time, the un frosted cookies can be frozen for up to two months. Just place them in a heavy duty freezer bag with parchment paper between layers. When you are ready to serve, let them thaw at room temperature before adding the filling. I don’t recommend reheating the assembled sandwiches because the buttercream will melt and make a mess, but a room temperature cookie is perfect nonetheless.
FAQ about Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
How do I make heart shaped sandwich cookies with vanilla buttercream?
The secret is in the consistency of the frosting. Use a piping bag with a round tip to apply the buttercream in the center of the heart, leaving a small margin at the edge. When you press the top cookie down, the frosting will spread perfectly to the borders without spilling over.
Can I make chocolate heart sandwich cookies for valentine instead of vanilla?
Absolutely. This is a very popular variation similar to those found on Chocolate Heart Sandwich Cookies. Just substitute a portion of the flour for cocoa powder and consider using a white chocolate ganache filling for a beautiful color contrast.
What is the best way to ensure no spread sugar cookies valentine?
The best way is to chill your dough twice. Once after mixing, and again for ten minutes after you have cut the hearts and placed them on the baking sheet. This keeps the fat solid longer once it enters the hot oven, preserving your sharp edges.
Final Thoughts
Standing in the kitchen, watching Adams and Jana argue over who gets the last red sprinkle, I am reminded of how lucky I am. These Valentine Cookie Sandwiches are not just a recipe to me; they are a snapshot of my family’s life right now. Cooking for others is a quiet way of saying thank you for being in my life. I hope you find as much joy in making these as we do. If you enjoyed this recipe, please save it to your favorite Pinterest board and leave a comment below telling me about your favorite Valentine’s Day tradition. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more recipes from my kitchen to yours. Happy baking!
Valentine Cookie Sandwiches
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill again for 10 minutes if the dough feels soft.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly set but not browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to reach a spreadable or pipeable consistency.
- Tint with pink food coloring if desired.
- Pipe or spread about 1-2 tablespoons of buttercream onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with another cookie and gently press together. Repeat with remaining cookies.
