Easy Heart-Shaped Cookies You Can Bake with Your Kids

Valentine's day is one of my favorite times to get the kids in the kitchen. Every year, my five kids and I bake heart-shaped thumbprint cookies, filling our home with giggles and the sweet aroma of almond and sugar. These cookies are simple for kids to make, beautiful to enjoy, and the perfect treat to share with family, friends, or someone special this Valentines Day. 

Ingredients you’ll Need 

For the Cookies 

1 cup salted butter, Softened 

⅔ cup sugar 

1 teaspoon almond extract 

2 cups flour 

Heart-shaped cookie cutter 

½ cup raspberry or strawberry jam 

For the Glaze 

1 cup powdered sugar 

1 teaspoons almond extract 

3 to 4 teaspoons water 

Step-by-step instructions

Prepare the Dough 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar, and almond extract until smooth. Add the flour and mix until the dough comes together.

3. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in wax paper, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

4. On a floured surface, roll the dough to about half an inch thick. Use the heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut each cookie. 

5. Before removing the cutter, press your thumb diagonally into the center of the cookie and then again on the opposite side to create a heart-shaped indentation. 

6. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and fill each heart with half a teaspoon of jam. 

7. Bake for eight to nine minutes, and let cookies cool completely. 

8. To make the glaze, mix powdered sugar, almond extract, and water until smooth. Place the cooled cookies on wax paper and drizzle the glaze over them using a fork.