Imagine biting into a beautiful heart-shaped cookie and watching a cascade of colorful candy hearts spill out - that's the magic of these Valentine's Day Piñata Cookies! Perfect for romantics, baking enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a delightful culinary surprise, these cookies are not just a treat, but an experience. Whether you're looking to impress your sweetheart or create a memorable dessert for your Valentine's celebration, these cookies combine the charm of traditional sugar cookies with the excitement of a mini piñata.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup candy hearts
Instructions
- Prepare the cookie dough by first sifting together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a large stand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until completely incorporated and smooth.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft cookie dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut heart-shaped cookies using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, creating an equal number of top and bottom cookie pieces.
- For half of the cookies, cut out a smaller heart in the center to create the piñata opening.
- Carefully transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Fill the cookies with candy hearts by placing them inside the cookies with the center cut-out.
- Sandwich the filled cookies with the solid heart-shaped cookie bottoms.
- Optional: Decorate with royal icing or additional candy hearts for extra festive touch.
Tips
- Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure clean, crisp cookie cuts and prevent spreading during baking.
- Use a sharp, clean cookie cutter for precise heart shapes and neat center cutouts.
- Choose small, lightweight candy hearts to prevent cookie breakage when filling.
- Let cookies cool completely before filling to maintain structural integrity.
- For a professional finish, use royal icing to seal edges and add decorative details.
- Store cookies in a single layer to prevent breaking the delicate piñata mechanism.
- Experiment with different candy fillings for variety in future batches.
- Use parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and prevent sticking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 45mg
