Let’s bake some EPIC heart-shaped cookies! Here’s how to make heart-shaped cookies without a cookie cutter.
Heart-shaped cookies are always a win, especially for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. While using a heart-shaped cookie cutter is the traditional method for shaping these cookies, you can also make them without.
I look at cookie dough as edible clay. Cut and form, put in an oven, add glaze…see where I’m going?
So before you reach for the cookie cutter, why not freehand your corazones this year? Cut them out by hand in different kinds of heart shapes.
That is my plan, stay tuned for the outcome.
In the meantime, let’s review the with/without process and then bite into some awesome recipes you’ll want to try!
How to make heart-shaped cookies without a cookie cutter (or with one)
Making Heart-Shaped Cookies Without a Cookie Cutter
Method 1: Using a knife or template
It’s just like clay! Kinda…
If you don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter on hand, don’t worry! You can easily make heart-shaped cookies using a knife or a simple paper template.
Prepare the dough: Start by preparing your favorite recipe for cookie dough. Go ahead an use store-bought dough. It’s fast and easy still tastes great. Once the dough is ready, roll it out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
Cutting out the hearts with a knife: Using a sharp paring knife, carefully cut out heart shapes from the rolled-out dough. You can just freehand the hearts, it is pretty easy. I mean hearts are easy to make, right?
If you are using a template: You can also create a heart-shaped template by drawing a heart on a piece of paper and cutting it out or you can find a cute Valentine’s Day template online that you like (I am sure there are plenty of free ones). Place the template on the rolled-out dough and carefully cut around it with a knife.
Bake on a cookie sheet, let them cool to room temperature (for the best result), and decorate your Valentine’s Day cookies! Easy peasy!
Method 2: Using rolled dough balls
Another simple method for creating heart-shaped cookies without a cookie cutter involves rolling the dough into balls and shaping them directly on the baking sheet with your hands. This is more fun for the kids because they get to get their hands messy and play with the dough.
Give each child a piece of parchment paper with a bit of extra flour and let them have fun creating their cookies. This is an easy way to get the kids involved and experience time in the kitchen. It is also wonderful to do with your tias, abuelas, even an amiga baking night!
Rolling the dough: Roll the cookie dough into small balls of equal size. About 2 inches, but it doesn’t really matter if they are all the same exact size.
Shaping the hearts: Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand to create a disc. Using your fingers, gently pinch into the shape of a heart. Start at the bottom and pinch the point, and then pull the top ends together in the middle to create an indent.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or baking spray and place the cookies on the sheet.
Bake the heart-shaped cookies for 8-10 minutes in a preheated oven (350 degrees), let cool, then decorate.
Making Heart-Shaped Cookies With a Cookie Cutter
A heart cookie cutter is the most straightforward way to create perfectly shaped heart cookies.
Here’s a simple guide to using a heart shape cookie cutter:
This is the cookie cutter set I have, use, and love!
Prepare the dough: Prep your favorite cookie dough (mixing from scratch or store-bought). Dust a rolling pin with flour and roll it over a lightly-floured surface to about 1/4.”
Cut out the hearts: Press the cookie cutter firmly into the rolled-out dough. Carefully lift the shapes and transfer to a baking sheet.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, and decorate the top of the cookie.
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container, but we all know they will be gone by the end of the day!
Heart-Shaped Cookie Recipes
Now, it’s time for those yummy heart-shaped cookie recipes. Please let me know which are your favorites!
Heart-Shaped Whoopie Pies
These heart-shaped whoopie pies are the perfect Valentine’s Day cookie! Look how CUTE they are. Click the link to get the recipe.
Sacred Heart Cookies
Of course, this idea was on all our minds, and the Cookie Couture brought it to life! Check out these beautiful sacred heart-inspired cookies here!
Video:
Chocolate Chip Heart Cookies
Everyone LOVES a chocolate chip cookie, right? And shaped into a cute little heart makes them even more better. These heart chocolate chip cookies by TexanErin.com will be eaten up in no time. Y.U.M. Yum!
Heart Shaped Brownies With Cherry Filling
This one is good and gooey. The heart-shaped brownies with cherry filling make a wonderful Valentine’s Day dessert! Chocolate and cherries taste so good together!
Happy Heart Lemon Cookies
Calling all citrus lovers, here’s a heart with a tangy taste – happy heart lemon cookies! Hand-shape them into a heart and bake. Then top with a cheery lemon glaze and add sprinkles!
Gluten-Free Valentine’s Day Heart Cookies
This is a decadent decorated heart-shaped cookie recipe that is Gluten-Free, vegan, and allergy-free! The whole family will love them and eat them together in blissful harmony. 🙂
Chocolate-dipped Heart Sugar Cookies
Who wouldn’t love to indulge in these heart sugar cookies? What takes these to the next level is instead of frosting the top with icing, dip them in milk or dark chocolate. Add sprinkles – or not – either way, they are as impressive as they are delectable.
Drizzled Vegetarian Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies
These Vegetarian Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Cookies have melted chocolate zig-zagging across them and pretty sprinkles too! They are almost too pretty to devour! Almost…
Hojarascas Corazon Cookies
Hojarascas are a traditional Mexican sugar cookie that is made for all different occasions. In this case, MexicoInMyKitchen.com has a recipe for Valentine’s Day. And they are heart-shaped. They are light and just right to dip in hot cocoa or cafecito.
Bite-sized Iced Sugar Cookie Hearts
These Iced Sugar Cookie Hearts are smaller and bite-sized. They work nicely for a party, because a little goes a long way. And grouped together, they make such a stunning visual statement. What makes them elegant is the hint of sheen from the edible glitter and the tiny little heart on top. And when you taste one? The perfect cookie crunch, indeed.
Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
You had me at Strawberry Shortbread Cookies! These heavenly confections are made with freeze-dried strawberries which makes them naturally colored. so that’s a welcome healthy spin, right?
They are also lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar. Overall, they are crumbly and have a great texture.
Pink White Chocolate Fudge Hearts
These pink white chocolate fudge hearts are made from only 4 ingredients. A drop of food coloring, white melting chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and what ever topping you desire – nuts, sprinkles, etc. Sweet and snappy!
Heart Sugar Cookies with Nutella Filling
If you are searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day treat then you need to bake these heart sugar cookies with Nutella filling.
Love Nutella? THIS is your cookie. The creamy filling is sandwiched between two thin cookies, lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
Heart Cookies On A Stick
What a super fun way to eat a cookie! These heart cookies on a stick are genius! These are sugar cookies on a stick with royal icing. Now you don’t have to get your hands messy when you scarf your Valentine’s Day treats!
Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
This is something unexpected for Valentine’s Day. Heart-shaped Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect treat to bring to your child’s classroom party on Valentine’s Day! No, they are not cookies but goodness, they do taste like one! Everyone loves Rice Krispies!
Rose-Scented Shortbread
This rose-scented shortbread has a delicate floral scent and would be the absolute perfect treat following a romantic dinner with your loved one. They also serve a lovely old-fashioned treat for tea time. Abuelita chic? Of course!
Air Fryer Heart Sugar Cookies
I never knew you could make cookies in the air fryer but alas, you can. Impressive! These air fryer sugar cookies are made from scratch, easy to make, and super delicious!
Chocolate Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies
You know you were waiting for this. CHOCOLATE! Indulge in the delightful flavor of these Chocolate Sugar Cookies, perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any special occasion. The dark chocolate dip is chef’s kiss!
Heart Macarons for V-Day
There can’t be Valentine’s Day without the classic French treat. Super easy-to-make macaron recipe with a vanilla buttercream filling. These Heart Macarons are everyone’s fave.
Chocolate Dipped Cake Mix Cookies
These are really good though they are not heart-shaped the red and pink counts as a win. Simply use a heart cookie cutter to create the shape if you want to make them heart-shaped cookies. Cake Mix cookies recipe link
If you are still searching for some chocolatey treats for Valentine’s Day, here are other ideas:
I hope you find this blog post helpful for making heart-shaped cookies with or without cookie cutters! If you have any other baking-related questions or requests, feel free to ask! Leave a comment of your favorite cookie!
Thank you so much for including my whoopie pies in the lovely round up!
You are so welcome, they are wonderful!!
Thank you ver much for including my Sacred heart cookies, I love to be among so many lovely heart treats!
They are so beautiful!!