You know, these Chocolate Cut-Out Heart Cookies hold such a cozy spot in my kitchen memories—it all started on a chilly winter afternoon a few years back. I was craving something sweet, something with that familiar chocolate comfort but also a little festive touch. And there it was—Chocolate Cut-Out Heart Cookies—a perfect mix of rich chocolate flavor and the cheerful fun of cut-out cookie recipes. I remember the moment my daughter and I rolled out the dough, dusting the kitchen counter with flour and giggling as she pressed the heart-shaped cookie cutter into the chocolate sugar cookies.
The scent of cocoa wafting through the air, mingling with the warmth from the oven, was just magical. Those decorated heart cookies turned out to be a family favorite instantly—so much so that Valentine’s Day and random Wednesday afternoons now never pass without a batch coming out. These heart-shaped chocolate cookies are that rare kind of recipe that manages to bring everyone around the kitchen, us included, to slow down a little and share a treat.
I’ll admit, the first time I made these, I struggled with dough that was too sticky—talk about a learning curve with cut-out cookie recipes! But it became one of those “aha” moments in my cooking journey that taught me how important chilling the dough is, as well as using the right cocoa powder—trust me, it makes a surprising difference for these chocolate sugar cookies. Since then, Chocolate Cut-Out Heart Cookies have seamlessly woven into my busy family life—easy enough to whip up even on hectic days, yet special enough to feel like a celebration.
If you’re feeling a bit nervous about trying your hand with cut-out cookies or want a sweet treat that’s both homey and festive, I promise this recipe for Chocolate Cut-Out Heart Cookies will be your new go-to. Plus, if you love the heart-shaped chocolate cookies vibe, you might enjoy this Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe as well—it’s a fun twist with chocolate chips that the kids adore!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (choose a good quality one!)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar, for rolling
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until the dough just comes together.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two disks, wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Chilling is crucial to prevent sticky dough and to help with the cut-out shapes.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Step 4: Bake
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until just set. They will firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Decorate and Enjoy
Once cooled, decorate your Chocolate Cut-Out Heart Cookies as desired—simple dusting of powdered sugar, royal icing, or chocolate drizzle are all festive options. Share and enjoy the cozy chocolate love!
Looking for more heart-inspired chocolate treats? Try this delicious Hidden Heart Chocolate Loaf Cake to surprise and delight, or get playful with these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies that kids find irresistible.
For extra inspiration and fun ideas, check out these heart-shaped cookie ideas, or try the creative takes like My Heart Belongs To U: Neapolitan Milk & Chocolate Sugar Cookies. You might also want to explore the lovely Valentine’s Day Share-A-Heart: February’s #cookiesandkindness recipe for more sweet inspiration.
Chocolate Cut-Out Heart Cookies
Delight in these rich and tender Chocolate Cut-Out Heart Cookies, perfect for any romantic occasion or festive treat with a smooth cocoa flavor and crisp edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Divide dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Using heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut out cookies and place them 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are set but still soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving for a decorative touch.
Notes
For an extra special touch, dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate and allow to set before serving.