Valentine’s Day Heart Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies (No Cookie Cutter Required)
Since Valentine’s Day is coming up I figured this was the perfect time to share with you how easy it is to make heart shaped peanut butter cookies! I love peanut butter! Seriously peanut butter cookies are definitely in my top 3 list for favorite kinds of cookies! So for this post I took my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe that my aunt gave me years ago & I made them into heart shapes. It’s really quite simple. No cookie cutter required & no rolling out dough either.
You start by scooping out some dough & rolling it into a ball. Next use the bottom of a glass (which can be dipped in sugar to keep the dough from sticking) & press the cookie down.
Top form the top of the heart take a butter knife or the handle of a fork & cut into the top center & move the dough outward to the right & left to form a “V” shape.
Now take your thumb & index finger & pinch the bottom of the cookie to make the bottom “V” shape of the heart. You can use your hands to perfect the heart shape a little. (I had to touch up the top of the heart on some so it wasn’t pointy).
Now take a fork & press the dough down making a criss-cross on the heart. Now they are ready to bake.
Be careful these peanut butter cookies can be very addicting! ;)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted (microwave for 25-30 seconds)
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl add sugar, brown sugar, & melted butter, stir until creamy. Add peanut butter, egg, & vanilla, stir until smooth & creamy.
- Add flour & baking soda & stir until well combined.
- Scoop or roll dough into 1½ inch balls & place on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass (coated in sugar).
- To make the top of the heart use a butter knife or the handle of fork to cut into the top center of dough. Press it outwards to the right & left to make the "V" shape.
- Use your thumb & index finger to pinch the bottom of the dough to make the bottom "V" shape of the heart. You can use your hands to perfect the heart shape if needed.
- Take a fork & press the dough down on each side making a criss-cross on the heart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to over bake them or your cookies will turn out hard.
These cookies look delicious…love the criss-cross heart shapes, so clever!
Thanks!
Just made these tonight. Can you say amazing? And addicting? I’ve eaten 5 and can’t stop!
Hi Margaret, I know these cookies are really addicting! I’m glad you liked them!
Yum I love peanut butter cookies and how clever to make them into a heart.
Thanks Jason!
Super cute and smart!
Thanks Summer!
This is such a clever idea! Love this. <3
Thanks Laurel! ♥
Could you use a cookie cutter for the shape? Or will it not bake right?
Hi Melissa, I have never tried using a cookie cutter with this dough. I’m not sure how the dough would roll out, I worry it might be too sticky.
I just made these and they are great. Not too sweet and not too dry! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for commenting Tasha. So glad you liked them! :)
These are simply delicious and so easy to bake. The went quickly :-) Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Kelly. I’m glad you liked them! :)
Yum….they look so good and pretty!
Thanks Amanda!
Delicious! I cooked for just 9 minutes bc I’m at high altitude and they were perfect! Sprinkled a little sugar on top before baking as well. Love these. Bringing them to my boyfriend tomorrow. Thank you!
Hi Erica! I’m glad they turned out for you, even in high altitude! :) Sprinkling with sugar is a great idea!
What kind of peanut butter….natural or the kind with added fats and sugar?
I’ve used Jif regular creamy peanut butter & I also use walmart’s brand of natural creamy peanut butter. Natural or organic depends on the brand, some are too runny for baking. Walmart’s natural works well.
Can you add Reese peanut butter morsel for added flavor??
Hi Enidza, I’ve never tried it but I don’t see why not. They might not look the same, I’m not sure if it would change the shape but it sounds delicious!
I made these and they were so yummy and cute! Thanks. Reading through the comments – I used Skippy and baked them for 10 mins turned the pan and baked for 1-2 more mins. I’m just sad they only made 24.
Hi Kathy, I’m glad you liked the cookies. Thanks for sharing what kind of peanut butter you used. :)
Great recipe and what a clever way to make heart-shaped cookies. But the best part of all is how delicious they are…yummy. Made some today and topped them with finishing sugar in pink and red. Today was a practice run for Valentine’s Day but as fast as they were eaten I may have to make them a few more times between now an Februart 14th:-)
Hi Leslie, I’m glad your practice batch turned out good! :) Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
hi Katie, I am from Aruba and made these already and planning to make them in big size for my family and friends for valentines day they are delicious.
Hi Fermina! I’m glad you like the recipe!
Just made these and they turned out perfect! 9mins in the oven and sprinkled some sugar on top! Thanks for the heart idea. I can do this heart shape with any cookie!!
Hi Angie! I’m glad you liked the recipe. Great idea sprinkling sugar on top! Yup, I make sugar cookies in heart shape the same way I make these, you just need a dough that isn’t too soft to work with.
I heard you can add a pack a vanilla pudding powder to make peanut butter cookies softer: would that ruin this recipe if I add that?
Hi Christina, I’ve never heard of adding pudding to peanut butter cookies so I have no idea how it would turn out. I would think you would need to adjust the ingredients if your adding an extra dry ingredient to it. These cookies are soft on their own as long as you don’t over bake them. Sorry I can’t be of more help with the pudding idea.
Just made these, SUPER easy and amazing! Used Whole Foods 365 peanut butter, dough was put together in under 12 minutes, must be a record! Love love love!
Ariana, I’m so glad you liked the recipe, Thanks for commenting! :)
These are adorable! <3
Is it possible to use crisco instead of butter? (Trying to make these dairy free) And if so, do you think I still need to melt it?? Thanks in advance!
Hi Jordan, I haven’t tried it with this recipe but usually you can substitute Crisco shortening for butter when baking. If you try it let us know how it turns out. Thanks.
These look delicious :) Sharing on my blog’s Facebook page :)
Thanks!
Best peanut butter cookies I ever had, I enjoy all of your recipes, make me look like a baker extraordinaire !!!!!
Wonderful! I’m so glad you like our recipes! Thanks for commenting, we appreciate it! :)
Do you need to chill the dough before you form them?
Hi Karen, No there is no chilling the dough with this recipe.
Easiest and Delicious. Seriously made them in 20 mins. Made them smaller so only cooked for 7 mins. Turned out perfect!
Hi Stephanie! I’m glad you liked the recipe! Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Made for my son’s wedding! Will be a hit! Thanks!
Hi Shirley, You are welcome! Congrats to your son! That is such a great idea, making them for a wedding! :)
Can you substitute baking powder for the baking soda??
Hi Nickie, I would not recommend using baking powder instead of baking soda for this recipe. I worry that the cookies would not hold their shape as well.
I made these tonight. They turned out sooo good!! Thank you for a great peanut butter cookie recipe.
Hi Kim, I’m so glad you liked the recipe! It’s my all time favorite peanut butter cookie recipe! Thank you for commenting!
These are super cute! I’ve used this recipe, but only made circles before, so doing hearts will awesome! For valentines day, we are making these and rolling them in additional pink sugar. Also, any thoughts on a peanut-free version? Love the recipe, Thanks!
Hi! Thank you! I’m glad you love the recipe! It is one of my favorites. I have a sugar cookie recipe posted that makes the same heart shape as the peanut butter cookies but the peanut butter cookies are my favorite of the two: http://www.thesemisweetsisters.com/2017/01/25/heart-shaped-sugar-cookies-no-cookie-cutter-required/
I can not find my heart shaped cookie cutter so these will be a life saver. Thank you, thank you.
– Kelly
Hi Kelly, Hope you like them!
Do you think i could use honey peanut butter?
Hi Danielle, I think you could use honey peanut butter if you don’t mind the taste, it would definitely add a different flavor to the cookies.
I love this recipe. Easy to make. Very tasty. The recipe doesn’t make a million cookies. If it did I’d be in big trouble.
Hi Terry, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it!
Hey what can I add Instead of putting egg. I want a substitute for egg.
1/4 cup carbonated water = 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons water + 2 teaspoons baking powder + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil = 1 large egg, 1/4 cup mashed banana = 1 large egg, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce = 1 large egg.
Can you use natural peanut butter? Or will the consistency be different?
Hi Caitlyn, Yes you can use natural peanut butter. You may need to add 1-2 additional Tablespoons of flour though if dough is too thin.
Did you ever try using PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter for this recipe?
No, I haven’t tried using powdered peanut butter before only regular creamy peanut butter.
CAN THESE BE MADE WITH ALMOND BUTTER INSTEAD OF PEANUT BUTTER
Almond butter does not work well as a direct substitute for peanut butter in a cookie recipe. The cookies tend to turn out flat. If you want to try it anyways I would try adding extra flour to the dough. Thanks.
Looks like I found this post later than most. Great recipe. I have eaten my share, and they are just now cool! Next time I will make the balls smaller, some of my cookies touched during baking. Love this recipe, and I am not a peanut butter cookie fan!
Beverly, So glad you like the heart shaped peanut butter cookies! They are a favorite. Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it.