Delightful Cookie Dough Hearts

These unbaked cookie dough hearts are the perfect Valentine's treat that'll impress anyone lucky enough to taste them. The yummy combo of choco chunks, creamy peanut butter, and irresistible doughy base makes mouth-watering bites that are as gorgeous as they're delicious.

I created these cookie dough hearts when I needed a quick sweet surprise for my sweetheart on Valentine's Day. The look of excitement when they saw these chocolate-draped treats made every minute of preparation totally worth it!

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Adds that deep, rich flavor - get it super soft for easier blending
• Light brown sugar: Creates that classic cookie dough taste with its warm, molasses hints
• Pure vanilla extract: Lifts all the flavors - don't cheap out, go for the real stuff
• Peanut butter: Gives that awesome nutty kick and helps bind everything together
• All purpose flour: Works as your dough foundation - measure it carefully
• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds creaminess and sweetness while perfecting the texture
• Mini chocolate chip morsels: Distribute better throughout your dough than regular sized chips
• Semi sweet baking chocolate for dipping: Creates that fantastic outer shell that snaps when bitten
• White chocolate for decoration: Lets you make pretty designs and adds extra sweetness
• Food coloring: Brings in the Valentine's theme - gel colors work best for vibrant results

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cream the Base:

Beat your softened butter with brown sugar till they're completely smooth. This sets up your cookie dough base. Then add vanilla and peanut butter, mixing until everything gets airy and smooth. This adds lightness to your finished treats.

Create the Dough:

Add your flour and sweetened condensed milk into the butter mixture and combine until everything looks uniform. It should now resemble traditional cookie dough. Don't overbeat or you'll end up with tough dough. Gently fold those mini chocolate chips in with a spatula so they're evenly distributed.

Shape and Chill:

Press your dough firmly into a parchment-lined 8x8 inch container. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Stick in the fridge for at least half an hour until firm. Don't rush this cooling part if you want cleanly cut shapes.

Cut Heart Shapes:

Once chilled, pull the dough out using the parchment edges. Press your heart-shaped cookie cutter firmly to get clean shapes. Transfer these hearts to a parchment-covered sheet. Toss them in the freezer for about 15 minutes while getting your chocolate ready. The extra chill helps them stay together when dipping.

Chocolate Dipping:

Melt your semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave, going 30 seconds at a time and stirring between intervals until smooth. Dunk each heart using a fork, making sure it gets completely coated. Lift it up, let excess chocolate drip off, then place back on parchment. Keep the undipped hearts cold and work with just one at a time.

Decorative Finishing:

After the chocolate coating sets on all hearts, melt the white chocolate. Mix in a few drops of pink or red food coloring until you reach your desired shade. Put this colored chocolate in a small ziplock bag and snip off a tiny corner. Drizzle pretty patterns across each heart to make them extra festive for Valentine's Day.

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I gotta tell you, the peanut butter truly transforms these treats. It brings this subtle nutty flavor that makes this cookie dough way tastier than plain versions. My niece helped me decorate these last Valentine's Day before giving them to her teachers - we still talk about how fun it was.

Storage Tips

Store your cookie dough hearts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to seven days. That chocolate coating works like armor around the dough, keeping everything moist and tasty. If you're planning ahead for a special event, hold off on the decorative drizzles until serving day so they look their freshest.

Need to keep them longer? You can pop these treats in the freezer for up to three months. First, freeze them on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Just thaw them in the fridge about an hour before you want to eat them.

Dietary Modifications

This recipe can be tweaked for various dietary needs. For those avoiding gluten, simply replace the all purpose flour with a measure-for-measure gluten free flour blend. The end result will be virtually the same.

Want a dairy-free version? Go with vegan butter sticks, coconut condensed milk, and dairy-free chocolate chips instead. If peanuts are a concern, try using sunflower butter or almond spread - you'll still get that smooth, rich texture.

Serving Suggestions

These cookie dough hearts steal the show as the centerpiece of a Valentine's dessert board. Try placing them among fresh strawberries, chocolate-covered pretzels, and pink macarons for a display that'll genuinely impress everyone.

Looking to go fancier? Place each heart in a small cupcake liner and arrange them in a gift box tied with ribbon. Add a personal note for your valentine to make the gift even more meaningful.

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Common Questions

→ Can I use something instead of peanut butter?

You bet! Try using almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you want a similar consistency and flavor profile.

→ How do I store these treats to keep them fresh?

Store them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer keeping.

→ Would dark chocolate work well in this recipe?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate adds a richer taste that isn't too sweet and goes really well with the cookie dough base.

→ How can I make these without gluten?

Just grab some gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour, and double-check all other ingredients don't contain hidden gluten.

→ What if I don't have a heart-shaped cutter?

No worries! You can roll the dough into balls for truffle-style treats or use your fingers to shape hearts by hand.