Description
These Valentine Sandwich Cookies are delightful heart-shaped treats perfect for celebrating love and friendship. Soft, buttery cookies are baked and sandwiched together with sweet strawberry preserves, topped with a delicate pink sanding sugar for a festive touch. Ideal for sharing on Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
Egg White Glaze and Decoration
- 2 egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 container pink sanding sugar
Filling
- 2 cups strawberry preserves jam
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract together until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until a smooth dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Lightly flour a clean cutting board and knead the dough by hand until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Roll Dough: Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness, taking care to keep the thickness even for consistent baking.
- Cut Out Cookies: Cut out 24 regular-sized heart-shaped cookies using a cookie cutter.
- Cut Centers: With a mini heart cutter, cut out the center of 12 of the regular-sized cookies to create a window for the sandwich cookies.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating and assembling.
- Prepare Glaze and Decorate: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Brush this glaze onto the cut-out cookies and sprinkle them with pink sanding sugar for a festive sparkle.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread strawberry preserves on the solid heart cookies, then gently press the decorated cut-out cookies on top to create beautiful sandwich cookies. Allow them to set before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the egg is at room temperature for better mixing and smoother dough.
- Kneading the dough lightly avoids overworking the gluten, resulting in tender cookies.
- The glaze adds sweetness and a pretty finish but can be omitted for a simpler version.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a festive touch, use red or white sanding sugar instead of pink if preferred.
