How to Bake Heart Shaped Cookies

Nothing is sweeter or more endearing than receiving a baked treat on a special occasion. Wow your significant other, family members, or friends by baking them heart-shaped cookies for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or just because. These cookies can be simple sugar cookies, or they can be ornately frosted treats. Whatever you choose to do, your heart-shaped sweet will impress everyone! Here is how to bake heart-shaped cookies.

Things You'll Need

• cookie recipe
• oven
• heart shaped cookie cutters
• mixing bowls
• mixing utensils
• clean kitchen
• ingredients

Instructions

1. Find a recipe that compliments your baking skill level. There are several available online or in cookbooks. Choose something simple if you are a novice.

2. Collect all of your ingredients. If you don't have something available, visit the store and purchase what you need.

3. Preheat the oven according to directions and gather your ingredients in the kitchen.

4. Spray the cookie sheet with cooking spray, or lightly butter and flour it to prevent cookies from sticking, depending on the recipe specifications.

5. Mix all ingredients according to the recipe. Make sure to separate wet and dry ingredients according to the recipe.

6. Roll the dough onto a lightly floured surface, such as a cutting board or countertop. Give yourself enough room to work.

7. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the cookies out of the dough. Press firmly for best shape.

8. Place onto the cookie sheet, and bake according to directions. Space your cookies evenly.

9. Roll the remaining scraps into a ball, and repeat steps four through six until all the cookie dough is gone.

10. Let cool, and then decorate as you wish.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a heart shaped cookie cutter, you can use a sharp knife and cut them "freehand".

• Make sure you have all the ingredients before beginning. Nothing is worse than running out to the store in the middle of a project because you ran out of flour.

• Let the cookies completely cool before decorating, unless the recipe states otherwise.

• Be careful with the cookies after they have cooked. They will break easily unless handled with care.

• Follow the directions verbatim. Do not substitute ingredients. It can harm the cookies' taste, or ruin their structure.

• Only cut the cookies on a counter top if you know it will not damage the surface. If you are unsure, use a cutting board underneath.