Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies are great for Valentine's Day! These chewy cookies are easy to make in less than 30 minutes and don't need any chilling time.

As Valentine's Day approaches or whenever you're in the mood for a chocolatey treat, there's nothing quite like these heart shaped chocolate chip cookies! They're not only delicious but also the perfect way to say "I Love You!"

This basic chocolate chip cookie dough can be made ahead of time and transformed into many different shapes when baked. They're loaded with all the delicious familiar classic chocolate chip flavors that we know and love. Serve these cookies to your special Valentine as is or make them extra special by serving them with ice cream, chocolate sauce, or festive sprinkles.

They're truly the most delicious softy and chewy chocolate chip cookie that we make for our friends and family every single year. Plus, in terms of baked goods, they're one of the easier recipes for beginner as well as expert bakers to master.

Want to swap a box of chocolates for a box of fun cookies for your Valentine's Day? These Valentine chocolate chip cookies, Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with strawberry buttercream, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Hazelnut Krispie Treat with Valentine's sprinkles make for the perfect assortment!

Laura Ashley's Pro Tip: We always keep the 9 basic ingredients for these heart cookies in the kitchen at all times. They're great to whip up any time of the year.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Symbol of Love. Not only does a cute heart shape say "I love you," but also the time and effort put into baking it says it as well!
• Fun and Festive Foolproof Dessert. Whether it's Valentine's Day, a birthday, wedding, or a simple get-together, these cookies the perfect festive treat for any occasion.
• Simple Pantry Ingredients. Basic chocolate chip cookie dough requires ingredients that are likely to already be stocked in your pantry. These are easy to whip up and the dough can be made ahead of time!
• Versatile Ways to Serve. You can simply serve the heart cookies as is or you can serve them with a scoop of ice cream and chocolate sauce or as a heart shaped ice cream sandwich.

Ingredients for Heart Shaped Cookies

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card 

• Salted Butter: Provides moisture, flavor, and richness to the cookies. It contributes to the overall tenderness and helps create a soft and chewy texture.
• Shortening: Has a higher melting point than butter, contributing to a firmer texture. It helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking. Shortening can result in a more delicate and crumbly texture.
• Granulated Sugar: White sugar sweetens the cookies and contributes to their texture. It also aids in creating a crisp exterior and golden-brown color.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, flavor, and chewiness to the cookies. The molasses content in brown sugar contributes to the soft and moist texture.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the cookie dough together. Eggs also contribute to the structure and tenderness of the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies. Vanilla extract adds a warm and aromatic note, complementing the sweetness of the dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the cookies by forming the base of the dough. The protein in flour helps create the desired texture, balancing chewiness and tenderness.
• Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise during baking. It contributes to a lighter and airier texture.
• Chocolate Chips: The star ingredient of heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies! Chocolate chips add sweetness, richness, and a gooey texture to the cookies. They create pockets of melty chocolate throughout the baked dough.

Tools You'll Need

• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Spatula
• 12"x17" Sheet Pan
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Heart Cookie Cutters
• Cooling Racks (optional)

How to Make Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. In a large bowl with a hand mixer or with a stand mixer, cream together the shortening, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed. This should take 2-3 minutes.

2. Once combined, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Incorporate the vanilla extract.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix just until combined.
4. On low speed with the mixer or with a spatula, gently fold the chocolate chips into the dough until evenly distributed.

5. Press in an ungreased 12"x17" cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven 17-20 minutes or until the dough is starting to become golden brown at the edges. 

6. Carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven. Immediately cut the dough into hearts using a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Make sure the cookie cutter is pressed to the bottom of the pan and the hearts are cut as closely together as possible. Wait 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies with a small spatula to a cooling rack or parchment paper. 

7. Scraps between the cut-out cookies can be eaten as is or as a topping on ice cream or in a glass of milk.

Expert Tips for Recipe Success

• Use a Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter. You can cut the shape of the cookie after they're baked as the recipe notes or you can roll out the dough and cut into hearts prior to baking.
  • If following the second method, refrigerate the cut out cookies at least 30 minutes prior to baking.
  • You can also make one giant heart cookie with this dough for a cookie pie-style cookie that you can decorate with icing.
• Use High-Quality Ingredients. Opt for good quality butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. The quality of your ingredients directly impacts the flavor and texture of the cookies.
• Chocolate Variety. You can use whatever chocolate you prefer. While we love them with milk chocolate chips, mixing dark chocolate and white chocolate with them can add depth to the flavor profile.
• Decoration Options. You can add sprinkles to the top of the dough prior to baking if desired. Once the baked cookies have cooled, you can also drizzle melted chocolate or candy coating on top or spread on a homemade cream cheese or buttercream frosting.
• Properly Measure Ingredients. Use accurate measuring cups and spoons as precise measurements ensure the right balance in the cookie dough.
• Room Temperature Ingredients. Allow butter and eggs to come to room temperature before using for better blending a creating a smoother cookie dough.
• Cream Butter and Sugar Thoroughly. Creaming the butter, shortening, and sugars until light and fluffy incorporates air into the dough and is crucial for the cookies structure. This process should take about 2-3 minutes.
• Add Eggs One at a Time. Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition. This ensures even incorporation and helps create a cohesive dough.
• Scrape Down the Bowl. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl regularly to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
• Gluten Free: Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies is a recipe you can follow to make these heart cookies.
• Chill the Dough. If making standard chocolate chip cookies, chill the cookie dough (scooped or unscooped) for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) before baking. This sheet pan version doesn't require prior refrigeration.
• Check for Doneness. Cookie dough continues to cook slightly after removing from the oven. Take the pan out when the edges are set but the center still looks slightly undercooked. Cut the shapes while the dough is hot, then cool 10 minutes before removing the cut-out cookies.

Shortening Substitute

Shortening has a higher melting point compared to butter, which contributes to a more tender and delicate texture in cookies. It helps produce a crumbly and melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also has a higher fat content and less water than butter, which contributes to increased moisture retention in cookies, keeping them softer.

If you're looking for a substitute for shortening in cookies, there are several alternatives that can work depending on your dietary preferences and the desired outcome of your cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Butter is a classic substitute for shortening in cookies. It adds a rich flavor and can produce a slightly different texture. Use an equal amount of unsalted butter as the amount of shortening called for in the recipe.
• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil, in its solid form, can replace shortening in cookie recipes. Use it in equal proportions as shortening. Keep in mind that coconut oil has a distinct flavor that may be noticeable in the final product.
• Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil can be used as a substitute for shortening in many cookie recipes. Use 1 cup of vegetable oil for every cup of shortening and consider reducing the total amount slightly to avoid overly greasy cookies.
• Others: Lard, Applesauce, Greek Yogurt Avocado, and Nut Butters

When substituting shortening, keep in mind that each alternative brings its own flavor, texture, and moisture content to the cookies. You can experiment with small batches to see which substitute works best for you.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room-temperature up to 2-3 days (for optimal texture satisfaction). You can bake a portion of the dough and refrigerate or freeze the remaining dough for later.

Refrigeration: Store the cookie dough in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 72 hours. Beyond this point, the dough may start to lose its freshness.

Freezer Bags or Containers: Portion the cookie dough into individual balls or flatten it into discs. Place the portions in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen portions to a freezer bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Log or Roll Form: Shape the cookie dough into a log or roll it into a cylinder using plastic wrap. Wrap the log tightly and secure the ends. Refrigerate for short-term storage (up to 72 hours) or freeze for longer storage.

Thawing Cookie Dough: When ready to bake, transfer frozen cookie dough portions to the refrigerator and let them thaw overnight. For a quicker thaw, place the portions on a baking sheet and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Cookies can be baked directly from frozen, but add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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