Table of Contents: Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
There’s something magical about baking cookies that carry both flavor and sentiment—especially when they’re shaped like hearts and filled with sunny apricot jam. Perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting in a handmade box!
Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about grand gestures; sometimes, the sweetest moments come from homemade treats made with care. These Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies—delicate, buttery, and kissed with tangy apricot jam—are the edible embodiment of affection. Whether you’re baking with grandchildren, surprising a partner, or hosting a nostalgic cookie exchange, this recipe delivers nostalgia and elegance in every bite.
These jam-filled heart cookies use simple ingredients you likely already have: flour, sugar, butter, egg, and apricot jam. The dough comes together effortlessly, while the heart shapes and jewel-like jam centers make them visually irresistible. They’re ideal for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, bridal showers, or even as a cheerful treat to brighten a weeknight. Plus, the recipe easily doubles for larger gatherings!
Alternate Names & Variations
These cookies go by many names, depending on regional traditions and shapes:
- Apricot Thumbprint Cookies (if using circular shapes)
- Jam-Filled Heart Cookies
- Valentine’s Day Shortbread Hearts
Variations: Swap apricot jam for raspberry, cherry, or lemon curd. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough, or sprinkle powdered sugar on cooled cookies for a snowy finish.
Ingredients: Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 75 g granulated sugar
- 100 g unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 6 tbsp apricot jam (use high-quality for best flavor)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the dough: In a bowl, whisk flour and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add beaten egg and mix until dough forms. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Shape hearts: Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out hearts using a 2-inch cookie cutter. Use a smaller heart cutter to remove centers from half the cookies.
- Fill & bake: Place solid hearts on a parchment-lined tray. Spoon ½ tsp jam onto each, leaving a border. Top with cut-out hearts. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–14 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool & serve: Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Chef Tip: Chill dough twice—before rolling and after shaping—to prevent jam from spreading. For glossy jam, warm it slightly before filling.
Recipe Card: Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 14 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour (includes chilling) | Servings: 4 (yields 16 cookies) | Calories: ~130 per cookie
Why This Recipe Works
These cookies strike the perfect balance between tender and sturdy, thanks to the butter-enriched dough and egg binding. The apricot jam adds a bright contrast to the buttery base, making them a delightful easy Valentine’s Day baking project. Chilling the dough ensures clean edges, while the heart-on-heart design makes them gift-worthy without requiring advanced skills.
Expert Tips:
- Use room-temperature butter for smooth dough, but cold butter pieces if mixing by hand.
- Freeze cut-out cookies for 10 minutes before baking to minimize spreading.
- For extra shine, brush jam-filled centers with a light egg wash before baking.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough (up to 3 months) or fully cooled cookies (2 months). Thaw dough overnight before baking.
- Refreshing: Warm day-old cookies at 300°F (150°C) for 3–4 minutes to crisp them up.
People Also Ask: Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
How do you make apricot-filled cookies?
To make apricot-filled cookies, prepare a simple dough of flour, sugar, butter, and egg. Roll and cut heart shapes, then layer solid and cut-out hearts with apricot jam sandwiched between. Bake until golden. The jam caramelizes slightly, creating a sweet-tart filling that pairs beautifully with the crisp cookie.
What is the best jam for thumbprint cookies?
Thick, low-sugar jams like apricot, raspberry, or blackberry work best—they hold shape during baking. Avoid runny preserves; if needed, simmer jam to thicken it. For these heart cookies, apricot jam offers a classic, sophisticated flavor that complements the buttery dough.
How do you keep jam from spreading in cookies?
Chilled dough, minimal filling, and proper spacing prevent jam from spreading. Freeze filled cookies for 10 minutes before baking. Also, avoid overfilling—use just ½ tsp per cookie. If jam bubbles excessively, your oven temperature might be too high; reduce it by 25°F (15°C).
Do you fill thumbprint cookies before or after baking?
Traditional thumbprints are filled before baking, but for layered heart cookies, fill them before baking to let the jam set. For open-faced thumbprints, bake plain cookies first, then add jam and bake 2 more minutes. This method works well for softer jams.
Conclusion: Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
Nothing says “I care” like a batch of homemade Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and sunny centers, they’re sure to become a Valentine’s tradition. We’d love to see your creations! Tag us on social media or share your baking stories in the comments below. Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with love (and the aroma of butter and jam)!
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Sweet Apricot Heart Cookies for Valentine’s Day
- Total Time: 1 hour 42 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These love-infused heart cookies with sweet apricot jam filling are perfect for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Soft, buttery cookie sandwiches bursting with fruity flavor will make any gathering extra special. A homemade treat that shows you care!
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes)
- Add egg and vanilla extract, mix until combined
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients
- Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, chill 1 hour
- Roll dough to 1/4″ thickness on floured surface
- Cut heart shapes using 2″ cookie cutter
- Cut small heart centers from half the cookies
- Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges golden
- Cool completely, spread jam on solid hearts
- Top with cutout hearts, dust with powdered sugar
Notes
Substitutions: Raspberry or strawberry jam work well too.
Storage: Keep in airtight container up to 5 days.
Make Ahead: Freeze dough up to 3 months.
Tip: Double batch for classroom gifts!
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: apricot cookies, Valentine’s Day baking, jam-filled heart cookies