If you’re searching for a treat that’s as charming as it is delicious, look no further than Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies. These cookies combine rich, nutty peanut butter flavor with a buttery, soft texture and a shape that instantly says homemade with love. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, special occasions, or just turning an ordinary afternoon into something memorable, this cookie recipe will quickly earn a place in your heart and your recipe collection. Whether you drizzle them with chocolate or keep things simple, every bite offers that crave-worthy peanut buttery goodness you adore.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about these Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies is you likely have most of the ingredients on hand already. Each one serves a key purpose for the texture, flavor, and beautiful finish—so let’s talk about what makes each ingredient shine.

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Butter lends richness and keeps these cookies soft and tender in the center.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): This brings pleasant sweetness and just the right amount of crisp edges.
Light brown sugar, packed (1/2 cup): Brown sugar adds a gorgeous caramel note and helps the cookies stay moist.
Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): The star! Choose your favorite brand for that classic, irresistible flavor.
Large egg (1): Egg binds everything together and contributes to that perfect cookie structure.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds welcoming warmth and highlights the nutty notes beautifully.
All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): Flour forms the base and ensures your cookies hold their adorable shape.
Baking soda (3/4 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough and gives them a light, tender texture.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch of salt wakes up all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Extra sugar (for sprinkling or dipping): A finishing sprinkle gives each cookie a gentle sparkle and a little crunch.
Melted chocolate (optional, for drizzling): For those who love a chocolate-peanut butter combo, this takes your cookies right over the top.

How to Make Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Sugars, and Peanut Butter

Start by beating the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and creamy peanut butter together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is your foundation: creating air in the dough helps the cookies bake up soft and tender, plus it thoroughly blends the flavors from the very beginning.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract, continuing to mix until everything is beautifully combined. This helps your dough stay cohesive and ensures each cookie gets that extra boost of flavor and structure.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour with baking soda and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until everything comes together. Be gentle here—overmixing can make your cookies tough. If your dough seems sticky or too soft to shape, a quick 15–20 minute chill in the fridge works wonders.

Step 4: Shape into Hearts

Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them between your palms, then gently pinch the bottom of each ball into a point for the heart’s tip. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create a dip at the top, forming that classic heart shape. For even more precision, you can use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, especially if you want every cookie to look picture-perfect.

Step 5: Bake and Decorate

Place your heart-shaped creations on lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart, then bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 9–11 minutes. Keep an eye out—the edges should be golden but the centers still soft. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on their sheet before moving to a wire rack. Once cooled, get creative: drizzle with melted chocolate or add a sparkle with a sugar sprinkle.

How to Serve Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies

Garnishes

Dress up your Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies for the occasion by dusting them with sanding sugar before the oven, or go for a playful finish with a zigzag of melted chocolate on top. For an extra pop of color, sprinkle with pink or red sugar crystals. Little details like this will make your cookies look festive and extra inviting!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair delightfully with a glass of cold milk, of course, but they’re also wonderful alongside a mug of hot cocoa or a frothy latte. For a sweet spread at any get-together, include them on a dessert board with chocolate truffles, fresh berries, and a few other cookies for color and variety.

Creative Ways to Present

Wrap a handful of Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies in cellophane with a pretty ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. For parties, stack them in a glass jar or display on a tiered platter for bakery-style charm. Personalize with hand-written tags or even little love notes tucked with the cookies—your creativity is the only limit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any cookies left at the end of the day (no judgment if you don’t!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, making them just as tempting for a late-night snack as they are fresh from the oven.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies in layers separated by parchment paper inside a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months—just let them thaw at room temperature, or pop a couple in your lunchbox for sweet surprises throughout the week.

Reheating

If you want to gently revive that “just-baked” feel, warm the cookies in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes or a short 10-second burst in the microwave. Drizzled chocolate may soften, but the aroma and slightly gooey center will make it well worth it!

FAQs

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will add bits of crunch and texture to your Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies, giving them a rustic twist. Just note that the finished cookies may look a little less smooth, but they’ll be even more irresistible to peanut lovers.

What’s the easiest way to make a neat heart shape?

You can pinch and mold the dough by hand, but if you’re aiming for extra precision, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or gently press the dough balls into a cutter to guide your shaping. Either method works, and kids love helping with this step too!

Can these cookies be made gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. The cookies may be slightly more delicate, so handle with care, but they’ll still bake up soft, sweet, and full of peanut butter goodness.

How do I keep Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies soft?

Store them in an airtight container with a slice of sandwich bread—the extra moisture keeps the cookies softer for longer. Also, avoid overbaking: pull them from the oven as soon as the edges are golden and the centers look set but still a touch soft.

Can I double or halve this recipe?

Definitely! It’s easy to double for a crowd or halve the recipe if you want just a small batch. Baking times stay the same, so you can tailor your batch size to fit any celebration or sweet craving.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re baking a batch for someone special or just treating yourself to a classic, these Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies are sure to earn rave reviews. Their soft, nutty sweetness and adorable shape always bring smiles, so I hope you’ll give them a try and share a little cookie love with the people around you!

Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion. Soft and chewy, these cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. With a hint of peanut butter flavor and a sweet touch of chocolate, they are sure to win hearts.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Additional Items:

Extra sugar for sprinkling or dipping
Melted chocolate for drizzling (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes if needed.
Shape the Cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and shape each into a heart. Place hearts on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Bake: Bake for 9–11 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Optionally, drizzle with melted chocolate.

Notes

To shape the hearts evenly, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or mold the dough inside one.
For a festive touch, sprinkle with sanding sugar before baking or dip half of the cookie in chocolate after cooling.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American