Heart Jam Valentine Cookies are sweet little treats that combine buttery, crumbly cookie dough with a gooey, fruity jam center. These cookies are shaped like hearts, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to share some love through baking. The burst of jam in the middle adds just the right amount of sweetness and a pop of color.
I love making these cookies because they’re simple to put together, but they feel special thanks to their shape and the surprise jam inside. I usually like to use raspberry or strawberry jam since they’re classic flavors and have that bright red color that fits the Valentine’s Day theme perfectly. One tip I have is to chill the dough before baking—this helps keep their shape nice and neat!
These cookies are great for sharing with friends, family, or that special someone. I often package them in little boxes or wrap them up with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. They’re not only tasty but also fun to make and even more fun to give away. Every time I bake them, the kitchen smells amazing, and that’s a lovely bonus I never get tired of.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted butter is best as it lets you control the saltiness. Make sure it’s softened to mix smoothly. If you need a dairy-free option, try vegan margarine or coconut oil, but note the flavor will change a bit.
Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and a lovely crumb. For a more natural option, you could substitute coconut sugar, but the color might darken slightly.
Jam: I recommend seedless raspberry or strawberry jam for their bright color and smooth texture. If you want other flavors, apricot or cherry jam also works well. For a no-sugar option, try fruit preserves made with natural sweeteners.
Flour: All-purpose flour gives a tender but sturdy cookie. You can swap half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier taste, but the texture will be denser.
How Can You Keep Heart Jam Cookies from Spreading Too Much?
These cookies need to hold their shape so the jam stays neat in the center. Chilling the dough is key. It solidifies the fats and prevents the dough from melting too fast during baking.
- After mixing, wrap the dough halves tightly in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour (sometimes longer if your kitchen is warm).
- Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface, but avoid over-flouring which can make cookies dry.
- Work quickly when cutting and filling the cookies to keep the dough cold.
- Use chilled baking sheets if possible, or at least cool the tray between batches.
These tips help your cookies stay crisp around the edges with a perfect heart shape, making that jam center look extra lovely.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters (two sizes) – to create the base and the jam window top, making shaping easy and cute.
- Mixing bowls – one for dry ingredients and one for creaming butter and sugar, keeping tasks organized.
- Electric mixer – helps cream butter and sugar until fluffy, which gives the cookies a nice texture.
- Rolling pin – for even dough thickness so cookies bake uniformly and keep their shape.
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper – prevents sticking and makes cleanup quick.
- Spatula – for handling dough pieces gently when placing them on the baking sheet.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap jam for apricot or cherry preserves to give a different fruity note and color contrast.
- Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a fresh, bright twist that pairs well with berry jam.
- Mix in finely chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds around the jam center for extra crunch and flavor.
- Use white chocolate chips inside the jam area or drizzle melted white chocolate on top for a creamy sweetness contrast.
Heart Jam Valentine Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookie Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For The Filling and Topping:
- ½ cup seedless red raspberry or strawberry jam (for filling)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare plus 1 hour to chill the dough. Baking will take around 12-15 minutes per batch, with an additional 5 minutes cooling time on the baking sheets. Overall, you should set aside about 1 hour and 40 minutes from start to finish, including chilling and cooling.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for now.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until you have a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix.
2. Chill and Roll Out the Dough:
Divide the dough into two equal parts. Wrap each half with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up and keeps the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Once chilled, roll out one half of the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter (2 to 3 inches wide) to cut out whole hearts — these will be the cookie bottoms. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
3. Shape Cookies and Add Jam:
Roll out the second half of dough and use a smaller heart-shaped cutter to cut out centers (or smaller solid hearts to use as tops). These will create the beautiful jam window in the center.
Place about 1 teaspoon of your chosen jam onto each full heart cookie, spreading gently but leaving a small border untouched around the edge. Then carefully press the smaller heart cutouts on top of the jam-filled cookies, gently sealing the edges to keep the jam inside. This creates a lovely heart-shaped jam window.
4. Bake and Finish:
Bake your cookies for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optionally, you can dust the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.
Enjoy sharing or gifting these charming Heart Jam Valentine Cookies, perfect for a sweet little celebration of love!
Can I Use Frozen Dough for These Cookies?
Yes! You can freeze the dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then roll and cut as directed.
What’s the Best Jam to Use?
Seedless raspberry or strawberry jam works best because they have a smooth texture and vibrant red color, perfect for the heart-shaped window. You can also try apricot or cherry jam for a tasty twist.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare and chill the dough a day in advance. After baking, store the cookies in an airtight container and sprinkle powdered sugar just before serving to keep them fresh and pretty.
