Indulge in a little love this Valentine's Day with our Dark Chocolate Valentine's Day Shortbread Cookies. These delightful treats are not only quick and easy to make, but they're also a healthier option for satisfying your chocolate cravings. Imagine biting into a buttery, crumbly shortbread cookie, infused with the rich, intense flavor of dark chocolate – all in under an hour! As a busy mom myself, I know how precious time is, and that is why I truly love this recipe. These are perfect for a last-minute gift or a delicious dessert to share with loved ones.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Growing up, my grandmother always made shortbread cookies for special occasions. Her recipe was simple, comforting, and a symbol of love. Inspired by her, I wanted to create a Valentine's Day version that was just as heartfelt but added my own twist with decadent dark chocolate. These Dark Chocolate Valentine's Day Shortbread Cookies are my way of melding tradition with a modern, chocolatey indulgence I can easily share with my family today.
Ingredients
-
For the Shortbread:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
-
For the Chocolate Coating:
- 4 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (or coconut oil)
-
Optional Decorations:
- Sprinkles
- Edible glitter
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Cream: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Combine: Add the salt to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Incorporate: Gradually add the flour, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape: Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut: Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies.
- Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt: While the cookies cool, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Stir in the vegetable oil.
- Dip: Dip each cookie halfway into the melted chocolate or drizzle the chocolate over the cookies using a spoon.
- Decorate: Immediately decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter, if desired.
- Set: Place the cookies on parchment paper to allow the chocolate to set completely.
- Serve: Enjoy your delicious Dark Chocolate Valentine's Day Shortbread Cookies!
Dark Chocolate Valentine’s Day Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Add the salt to the butter mixture and mix well.1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the flour, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.2 cups all-purpose flour
- Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Stir in the vegetable oil.4 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, chopped, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (or coconut oil)
- Dip each cookie halfway into the melted chocolate or drizzle the chocolate over the cookies using a spoon.
- Immediately decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter, if desired.Sprinkles, Edible glitter
- Place the cookies on parchment paper to allow the chocolate to set completely.
- Enjoy your delicious Dark Chocolate Valentine’s Day Shortbread Cookies!