Sweet Cookie Dough Hearts

These no-bake cookie dough hearts are the ultimate Valentine's Day snack that'll wow anyone who tries them. The tasty mix of chocolate chunks, nutty peanut butter, and sweet doughy goodness creates mouthwatering treats that look just as fantastic as they taste.

I whipped up these cookie dough hearts when I needed something sweet for my partner at the last minute one Valentine's Day. The pure joy on their face when I showed them these chocolate-covered goodies made all the effort worthwhile!

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Gives a lovely rich taste - make sure it's nice and soft for smooth mixing
• Light brown sugar: Brings that signature cookie dough taste with its caramel-like flavor
• Pure vanilla extract: Boosts all other flavors - skip the fake stuff and go for genuine extract
• Peanut butter: Adds wonderful nutty flavor and helps everything stick together
• All purpose flour: Forms the base of your dough - be careful with your measurements
• Sweetened condensed milk: Makes everything creamy and sweet while keeping the texture just right
• Mini chocolate chip morsels: Spread more evenly through the dough than bigger chips would
• Semi sweet baking chocolate for dipping: Forms that amazing outer layer that cracks when you bite in
• White chocolate for decoration: Creates beautiful patterns and adds a touch more sweetness
• Food coloring: Brings that Valentine's vibe - try gel colors for brighter shades

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cream the Base:

Mix your soft butter and brown sugar until they're smooth with zero lumps. This builds your cookie dough foundation. Then throw in the vanilla and peanut butter, and keep mixing until everything gets fluffy and light. This step puts air into your dough for better texture.

Create the Dough:

Dump your flour and sweetened condensed milk into the butter mix and beat until it all comes together. It should look just like regular cookie dough now. Don't mix too much or your dough might get tough. Use a spatula to fold in those mini chocolate chips by hand so they spread out evenly.

Shape and Chill:

Push your dough firmly into an 8x8 inch dish lined with parchment paper. Use a spoon to make the top nice and flat. Stick it in your fridge for at least 30 minutes until it's firm. You can't skip this cooling step if you want clean-cut shapes.

Cut Heart Shapes:

After chilling, lift the dough out using the parchment paper. Take your heart cookie cutter and push down hard to make crisp shapes. Put these hearts on a parchment-covered tray. Pop them in the freezer for about 15 minutes while you get your chocolate ready. The extra cold helps them stay intact during dipping.

Chocolate Dipping:

Melt your semi-sweet chocolate in a bowl using the microwave - 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each blast until it's smooth. Use a fork to dunk each heart into the melted chocolate, making sure it's fully covered. Lift it out, let extra chocolate drip off, then set it back on parchment paper. Work with one heart at a time and keep the rest cold.

Decorative Finishing:

Once the chocolate coating has hardened on all your hearts, melt the white chocolate. Add a couple drops of pink or red food coloring and mix until you like the color. Pour this colored chocolate into a small plastic bag and cut a tiny hole in one corner. Squiggle pretty lines or patterns across each heart to make them look extra special for Valentine's Day.

Pin it

I've got to say, the peanut butter really makes this treat stand out. It gives this gentle nutty flavor that makes the cookie dough so much better than regular versions. Last Valentine's Day, my niece helped me decorate these and proudly handed them to her teachers - it's become one of our favorite memories.

Storage Tips

Keep these cookie dough hearts in a sealed container in your fridge for up to a week. The chocolate layer works like a shield around the dough to keep it soft and yummy. If you're making them ahead for something special, wait to add the decorative drizzle until the day you'll serve them so they look their best.

Want to keep them even longer? You can freeze these treats for up to three months. Just lay them out on a baking sheet until they're frozen solid, then move them to a freezer bag. Let them sit in the fridge for about an hour before you plan to eat them.

Dietary Modifications

You can easily change this recipe to fit different diets. For folks who can't have gluten, just swap the all purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten free flour mix. You'll hardly notice any difference in how they turn out.

Need a dairy-free option? Try using plant butter, coconut condensed milk, and dairy-free chocolate chips instead. If peanuts are a problem, swap in sunflower seed butter or almond butter - you'll still get that smooth, creamy texture.

Serving Suggestions

These cookie dough hearts look amazing as the main attraction on a Valentine's dessert platter. Try surrounding them with fresh strawberries, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and pink macarons for a display that'll knock everyone's socks off.

Want to make it extra fancy? Put each heart in a mini cupcake wrapper and arrange them in a gift box with a pretty ribbon. Add a handwritten note for your valentine to make it even more special.

Pin it

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap out peanut butter for another ingredient?

Totally! Switch it up with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a similar texture and taste.

→ What’s the best way to keep the chocolate hearts fresh?

Pop them in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to a week, or freeze them to enjoy later.

→ Is dark chocolate a good choice here?

For sure! Dark chocolate gives a deeper, less sweet flavor that complements the cookie dough perfectly.

→ How can I make this gluten-friendly?

Simply use a gluten-free all-purpose flour substitute, and check all your other ingredients for hidden gluten.

→ What can I do without a heart cutter?

Shape the dough into round truffles or press them into hearts with your hands.