Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe for Valentine’s Day

These heart peanut butter cookies are an ideal Valentine’s Day treat for anyone who loves peanut butter. Peanut butter and chocolate pair beautifully, and these heart-shaped cookies are dipped in chocolate to make them extra special.

Heart Shaped Cookies

You can make these cookies with or without a cookie cutter. A 2″ heart-shaped cookie cutter makes the process faster and neater, but you can easily shape them by hand if you prefer.

To create hearts by hand, roll 1½-inch balls of dough and flatten each to roughly 2 inches using the palm of your hand or the back of a spoon. Pinch the bottom to form the point of the heart, then cut a small “V” at the top with a knife and use your fingers to round the top lobes.

For the classic peanut butter cookie appearance, press a fork into each heart in a crisscross pattern on both sides. Tip: dip the fork in ice-cold water before stamping to prevent sticking.

If you don’t need Valentine’s-themed cookies, any 2-inch cutter will work—choose stars, circles, or whatever suits your occasion.

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

This is a no-spread recipe that holds its shape well, which makes it perfect for using cookie cutters. The dough doesn’t need to be chilled, so you can move quickly from mixing to cutting and baking.

If you prefer round cookies, simply roll 1½-inch balls, flatten them on a lined baking sheet, and use a fork to make the crisscross marks. Bake according to the instructions below.

Ingredients in Chocolate Dipped Heart Peanut Butter Cookies

• Peanut butter – smooth or crunchy (smooth preferred)
• Unsalted butter – softened
• All-purpose flour – spooned and leveled
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Brown sugar – packed, for chewiness
• Granulated sugar
• 12 oz melting wafers – for dipping

How to Make Heart Peanut Butter Cookies Dipped in Chocolate

Start with softened butter. You can substitute shortening if desired. Cream the butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract and beat until combined, then beat in the eggs until the mixture is light and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.

Roll the dough into 1½-inch balls and place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats. Flatten each ball to a 2-inch circle with the back of a spoon or your palm. If you want heart shapes, use a 2″ heart cookie cutter to cut the shape from the flattened dough and remove the excess.

Use a fork dipped in ice-cold water to press a crisscross pattern into the tops of the cookies if desired. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 9–12 minutes, depending on your oven. When the cookie bottoms are lightly browned, remove them and let cool completely on a wire rack before dipping.

Chocolate Dipping: Melt the chocolate wafers according to package directions. Once the cookies are completely cool, dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate, gently shake off excess, and place the cookies on parchment paper. Let the chocolate harden fully before storing.

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies

Dipping completely cooled cookies produces the best results and prevents them from splitting. Chocolate melting wafers give a smooth finish and dip easily. After dipping, let the chocolate set on parchment before stacking or storing.

Valentine’s Day Cookies and Desserts

Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic combination, and these heart peanut butter cookies are a great choice for Valentine’s Day. If you’d like additional ideas for the holiday, consider soft chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles adapted for Valentine’s Day, or cupcakes like brownie cupcakes or pink velvet cupcakes for a festive touch.

Recipe