Valentine’s Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies

Ready to spread the love with a treat that’s as sweet as your Valentine? These Valentine’s Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies are everything you need to make this day extra special. Soft, rich, and perfectly chocolatey, these cookies hold their shape beautifully, making them perfect for cutting out heart shapes (or whatever fun designs you fancy!). Whether you’re enjoying them with a warm cup of cocoa or gifting them to someone special, these cookies are sure to steal the spotlight!

Why You’ll Love Valentine’s Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies

Let me tell you why these cookies are an absolute must this Valentine’s Day:

• Deliciously Chocolatey: These cookies are rich, tender, and full of that irresistible chocolate flavor we all crave.
• Perfectly Shapeable: The dough is easy to roll out and holds its shape when cut, so your cookies will look picture-perfect every time.
• Customizable: You can decorate these cookies however you like—glaze them with royal icing, dip them in chocolate, or simply dust them with powdered sugar.
• Fun to Make: Whether you’re baking with your kids or creating a personalized batch of cookies for a loved one, this recipe makes baking fun and stress-free.
• Great for Gifting: Package them up in a cute tin or box, and you’ve got the perfect homemade Valentine’s gift.

Ingredients

These Valentine’s Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies use simple ingredients to make a batch of perfectly chocolatey cookies.

Flour: All-purpose flour gives the cookies structure and helps them hold their shape after baking.

Cocoa Powder: This is what gives the cookies their deep, rich chocolate flavor. Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results.

Baking Powder: This helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them that soft and tender texture.

Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness and balances the chocolatey richness.

Butter: Softened butter provides that tender texture and rich flavor that makes these cookies melt in your mouth.

Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps give the cookies that perfect crisp around the edges.

Egg: The egg helps bind everything together and gives the cookies a nice, soft texture.

Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warmth and depth to the flavor of the cookies.

Milk: A little milk helps to bring the dough together and makes it easier to roll out.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

These cookies are easy to make, and they come together in just a few simple steps. Let’s get started!

1. Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and helps avoid any lumps of cocoa powder in the dough.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. It’s the step that gives your cookies that melt-in-your-mouth texture!

4. Add the Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

5. Combine the Dry Ingredients with the Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be a bit thick and soft—perfect for rolling out!

6. Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two portions, flatten them into discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies keep their shape when baked.

7. Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough is chilled, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one of the dough discs to about ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters (or any shape you like!) to cut out your cookies.

8. Bake the Cookies

Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm. Keep an eye on them—these cookies bake up quickly!

9. Cool

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is the perfect time to get your decorations ready!

10. Decorate (Optional)

Once the cookies are cool, feel free to decorate them however you like! You can pipe on royal icing, dip them in melted chocolate, or add some sprinkles for an extra festive touch.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 18
Calories per serving: 130

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes (includes chilling)

How to Serve Valentine’s Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies

These cookies are perfect for all kinds of occasions, but especially Valentine’s Day! Here’s how to serve them:

• As a Gift: Package them in a cute Valentine’s-themed box or tin, and you’ve got a thoughtful gift that anyone would love.
• At a Valentine’s Party: Arrange them on a tray with other sweet treats for a beautiful dessert spread.
• With a Glass of Milk: These cookies are perfect for dunking! Serve them with a cold glass of milk for a classic treat.
• On Their Own: These cookies are so delicious they don’t need any extra fuss! Just serve them on a pretty plate with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Additional Tips

• Chill the Dough: If you find the dough too soft while rolling, just pop it back in the fridge for another 10 minutes to firm it up.
• Decorating: If you’re using royal icing, let the cookies cool completely before decorating to avoid smudging the design.
• Make-Ahead: You can make the dough a day or two ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to roll out and bake.
• Add Fun Flavors: Add a teaspoon of almond extract for a twist on the flavor, or mix in mini chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I freeze the dough?
A1: Absolutely! You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Let it thaw in the fridge before rolling it out.

Q2: How can I decorate these cookies?
A2: You can decorate with royal icing, fondant, or melted chocolate. Sprinkles, colored sugar, and edible glitter are also great options!

Q3: Can I use a different cookie cutter shape?
A3: Of course! While heart-shaped cutters are perfect for Valentine’s Day, you can use any shape you like, such as stars, flowers, or circles.

Q4: How do I store these cookies?
A4: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’ve decorated them with icing or chocolate, make sure they’re completely set before storing.

Q5: Can I make these cookies without cocoa powder?
A5: Yes! If you want to make plain cut-out cookies, simply omit the cocoa powder and use the same base dough recipe. You’ll have vanilla-flavored cut-out cookies instead!

Q6: Can I use cookie dough from the store?
A6: You can use store-bought cookie dough, but making it from scratch gives you that extra-special homemade touch, and it’s really easy to do!

Q7: How thick should I roll the dough?
A7: Roll the dough to about ¼-inch thick. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and have that perfect soft texture.

Q8: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A8: Absolutely! You can bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container. You can also freeze the baked cookies if you want to prep them in advance.

Q9: Can I use dark cocoa powder for a deeper flavor?
A9: Yes! Dark cocoa powder will give the cookies a more intense chocolate flavor. Just keep in mind it might make the dough slightly darker in color.

Q10: How do I make the cookies crispy?
A10: To make the cookies a bit crisper, you can bake them for an additional minute or two. Just be careful not to overbake them.

Conclusion

These Valentine’s Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies are the ultimate way to show your love this February 14th. With their rich chocolate flavor and the ability to customize them however you like, they’re perfect for sharing with friends, family, or that special someone. Whether you’re serving them at a Valentine’s party or gifting them in a pretty box, these cookies are sure to add a little extra sweetness to your day!

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