Valentine's Slice & Bake Sugar Cookies

There’s something extra special about a cookie with a surprise inside. These love-themed Slice & Bake sugar cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat, with a sweet little heart baked right into the center. Perfect for V-Day, anniversaries, or just because, these cookies are buttery, soft, and made without any added sugar thanks to Pyure Granulated Sweetener.

If you’ve never made a patterned cookie log before, don’t worry—this recipe walks you through it step by step. The key is chilling your dough at the right stages to keep everything firm and easy to work with.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup Pyure Granulated Sweetener
• 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• Red or pink food coloring

 

How to Make Hidden Heart Cookies

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the Pyure Granulated Sweetener and butter on high until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. Mix until fully combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
3. Slowly add in the flour, starting with 1 cup and adding the rest until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.

Step 2: Color and Chill the Dough

1. Roll the dough into a log and divide it into three equal portions. Cover two portions in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Take the remaining portion and knead in red or pink food coloring until evenly combined. Roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper to about ¼-inch thick. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 3: Create the Heart Center

1. Once firm, remove the colored dough and cut out as many small heart shapes as possible using a 1- to 1.5-inch heart cutter.
2. Stack the hearts on top of each other, making sure they align perfectly. Freeze the stack for 15-20 minutes until firm.

Step 4: Shape the Cookie Log

1. Before removing the heart stack from the freezer, take the two chilled white dough portions out to soften slightly.
2. Roll a small portion of the white dough into a thin log and press it into the crevices of the stacked hearts to fill any gaps.
3. Roll out the remaining white dough to about ¼-inch thick. Wrap it around the heart stack evenly so the hearts are fully enclosed, then pinch the ends closed.
4. Roll the dough log gently on the counter to smooth it out, eliminating air bubbles while slightly elongating it.

Step 5: Slice and Bake

1. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and freeze for another 15-20 minutes until completely firm.
2. Using a sharp knife, slice the cookies into ¼-inch rounds. If the dough softens, freeze again before slicing.
3. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the cookies 1-2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bottoms turn slightly golden brown.
5. Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

Tips for the Best Hidden Heart Cookies

• Keep the dough cold – Chilling at every stage helps the cookies hold their shape.
• Use a sharp knife – This makes slicing cleaner and prevents the dough from squishing.
• Freeze between steps – If the dough starts to get too soft, a quick chill in the freezer will make it easier to handle.

These sugar-free hidden heart cookies are a sweet way to surprise someone special—or just treat yourself to something fun. They’re buttery, delicious, and proof that sugar-free baking can be just as creative as the classic version. Enjoy!