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I created these Valentine’s Day cookies during a season when I was drawn to quieter, more deliberate baking. February can be filled with elaborate desserts and dramatic presentations, but I wanted something simpler—cookies that felt handmade, nostalgic, and intentionally imperfect.
The idea came from childhood memories of jam-filled cookies that were never quite uniform, yet always the first to disappear from the plate.
What appealed to me most was their balance: a tender, lightly spiced dough paired with a bright strawberry filling. They are decorative without being fragile and special without being fussy.
Over time, this recipe became one I return to whenever I want to bake with care rather than precision, especially for occasions centered around sharing. These cookies may not be flawless, but that is exactly what makes them fitting for Valentine’s Day.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe?
Soft, lightly spiced cookies with a tender crumb
Sweet strawberry jam filling adds color and flavor
Heart-shaped design makes them ideal for Valentine’s Day
Can be prepared in stages for easier planning
Simple ingredients with a homemade feel
Tips You Must Know!
Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading
Roll dough evenly for consistent baking
Lightly flour parchment to avoid sticking
Do not overbake to keep cookies tender
Allow cookies to cool before assembling for clean layers
How To Make the Recipe?
Ingredients
Dough
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp confectioners sugar, sifted
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
Filling 1 1/4 cups strawberry jam
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, confectioners sugar, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until the mixture appears pale and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg, mixing until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, folding gently just until a dough forms. Divide the dough into two portions, shape each into a disk, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll the chilled dough between sheets of parchment paper to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut heart shapes, keeping half solid and half with cutout centers. Transfer to baking sheets and chill for an additional 5 minutes.
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn lightly golden. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Place the strawberry jam in a saucepan and warm over medium-low heat for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth and spreadable.
Spread a layer of warm jam onto the solid cookies. Top each with a cutout cookie, pressing gently to secure. Finish with a light dusting of confectioners sugar before serving.
Variations I Will Suggest You Try!
Use raspberry or apricot jam instead of strawberry
Add lemon zest to the dough for brightness
Swap cinnamon for cardamom for a subtle twist
Dip half of each assembled cookie in melted chocolate
Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe
Tender, buttery sandwich cookies filled with sweet strawberry jam, lightly spiced with cinnamon and finished with a delicate sugar dusting.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, confectioners sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and egg.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined.
Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll chilled dough between parchment to ⅛-inch thickness.
Cut out cookies, making half solid and half with center cutouts. Chill cut cookies for 5 minutes.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool briefly, then transfer to a rack.
Warm strawberry jam over low heat for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Spread jam onto solid cookies. Top with cutout cookies and press gently.
Dust lightly with confectioners sugar before serving.
Storage and Leftover Tips!
Store assembled cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 days
Keep unfilled cookies at room temperature for up to 4 days
Refrigerate jam-filled cookies to maintain structure
Assemble shortly before serving for best texture
How I Like to Serve This Dish?
Arranged on a platter for gifting
Paired with tea or coffee
Served as part of a Valentine’s Day dessert table
Wrapped individually for sharing
FAQs
Can the dough be made ahead of time? Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours before rolling.
Why should the dough be chilled twice? Chilling improves texture and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Can store-bought jam be used? Yes, any smooth, good-quality jam works well.
Do these cookies freeze well? Unfilled cookies freeze well for up to one month.
Recipe Summary
These easy Valentine’s Day cookies feature a tender, lightly spiced dough filled with warm strawberry jam and shaped into classic hearts. They are charming, simple, and intentionally imperfect, making them a thoughtful homemade treat for sharing.
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