Valentine’s Day Heart Sandwich Cookies

Nothing says “I thought of you” quite like a cookie with a tiny heart window showing off a jewel-bright layer of jam. These Valentine’s Day cookies are crisp at the edges, tender in the middle, and look bakery-level with almost no extra effort. The dough is simple and buttery, and the shapes are adorable. Make them for date night, for your kids’ lunchbox surprise, or for that friend who deserves a cookie bouquet more than flowers.

What Are Valentine’s Day Cookies?

These are classic jam sandwich cookies made from a shortbread-style dough, cut into heart shapes and paired together with strawberry jam. One cookie remains solid, while the other features a smaller heart cut-out in the center, allowing the jam to peek through. They’re often called Linzer-style cookies, even though this recipe keeps things easy and streamlined. The final look is fancy, but the method is beginner-friendly and honestly kind of therapeutic.

Pro Tips for the Best Valentine’s Day Cookies

• Keep the butter cold-ish because you want a sandy dough at the start, not a greasy one. If your kitchen is warm, pop the bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes before adding the egg.
• Refrigerating the dough makes it easier to roll and helps the hearts bake up sharp instead of spreading into abstract art.
• First, cut the window hearts after cutting the big hearts. It’s easier to center the smaller cutter when the cookie already has its main shape.
• Use a thicker jam so it doesn’t ooze out the sides. If yours is runny, simmer it for a few minutes, then cool and use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to chill the dough for a full hour?

Chilling firms up the butter, which makes the dough easier to roll and cut without sticking or tearing. It also helps the cookies keep their heart shape in the oven instead of spreading. If you skip this step, you may end up with puffy edges and softer details.

How do I stop the cookies from breaking when I sandwich them?

Let the cookies cool completely before handling, as warm cookies are fragile and will crack easily. When assembling, hold the cut-out cookie gently by the edges and press lightly. If your tops are delicate, use a small spatula to lift them instead of your fingers.

Why are my cookies too hard or too dry?

Overbaking is the most common reason, these cookies should be lightly golden at the edges, not deeply browned. Next time, pull them out at the 10-minute mark and let carryover heat finish the job.

How to Store Valentine’s Day Cookies?

Once the mini pizzas have fully cooled, transfer them to a sealed container and separate layers with baking paper to prevent sticking. You can keep them refrigerated for a week to preserve the flavor.

How to Make Valentine’s Day Cookies

Step 1

Step 1

Mix in the sugar and vanillin, then crack in the egg and knead again until you get a dough. If you prefer, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

Add the butter and flour to a bowl and knead them together with your hands until the mixture looks like soft crumbs.

Step 2

Step 2

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Mix in the sugar and vanillin, then crack in the egg and knead again until you get a dough. If you prefer, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

Step 3

Step 3

Roll the dough, then cut out heart shapes, and on half of the hearts, cut a smaller heart in the center.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 4

Step 4

Place cookies on a lined baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes.

Roll the dough, then cut out heart shapes, and on half of the hearts, cut a smaller heart in the center.

Step 5

Step 5

Spread strawberry jam on the solid cookies. Dust the cut-out cookies generously with powdered sugar, then place them on top and press gently.

Place cookies on a lined baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes.

Step 6

Step 6

Step back, admire your work, and dig in.

Spread strawberry jam on the solid cookies. Dust the cut-out cookies generously with powdered sugar, then place them on top and press gently.

Step 7

Step 7

Step back, admire your work, and dig in.