Valentine's Day Chocolate Chip

These Valentine's Day chocolate chip cookies bring a sweet and festive twist to a classic favorite. With just nine carefully chosen ingredients, they create a tender cookie that is perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting on special occasions.

I first baked these cookies to surprise my partner on Valentine's Day and now they are a yearly tradition that everyone looks forward to

Gather Your Ingredients

• Cup of cold butter cut into cubes: ensuring a flaky texture when baked
• Cup of packed brown sugar: which adds moisture and a rich caramel flavor
• Half cup of granulated sugar: for balanced sweetness and crisp edges
• Two eggs: to bind the dough and contribute to a soft, chewy crumb
• Three cups of all-purpose flour: for structure; be sure to measure properly to avoid dense cookies
• Teaspoon of cornstarch: to keep the cookies extra tender
• Three quarters teaspoon of salt: to enhance all the flavors
• Cup of mini chocolate chips: providing bursts of gooey chocolate
• Twenty-four unwrapped chocolate hearts: for a festive decorative touch; choose good-quality chocolates for best taste

How to Make It

Preheat the oven:

Set your oven to four hundred ten degrees Fahrenheit so it reaches the perfect temperature by the time your dough is ready

Cream the butter and sugars:

In a large bowl beat the cold butter cubes with brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy and light in color. This incorporation of air helps create a soft cookie texture

Add the eggs:

Beat in the eggs one at a time making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. This ensures an even dough consistency

Combine dry ingredients:

In a separate bowl sift together the all-purpose flour cornstarch and salt to distribute everything evenly

Mix dry ingredients into wet:

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients mixing gently just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can lead to tough cookies

Fold in chocolate chips:

Carefully fold the mini chocolate chips into the dough making sure they are evenly distributed

Scoop and shape the cookies:

Using a spoon or cookie scoop drop dough balls about two inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. The spacing allows the cookies room to spread without merging

Bake the cookies:

Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for about thirty to forty-five minutes. Check around thirty minutes to avoid overbaking. They should be golden on the edges and slightly soft in the middle

Add the chocolate hearts:

After baking immediately press the chocolate hearts gently onto the top of each cookie so they stick as the cookies cool

Cool before serving:

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for at least ten minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set properly and makes them easier to handle

The chocolate hearts are my favorite part as they add a fun and romantic touch. One Valentine's Day my kids helped press the hearts onto the cookies, turning baking into a lovely family memory full of laughter

Flavor Boosters

Cookies keep best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days where they stay soft and fresh. If you want to keep them longer freezing is the way to go

Serving Suggestions

Serve these warm with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee or tea to bring out the chocolate flavors even more Place a cookie or two in a small box tied with ribbon for a charming Valentine's Day gift Pair with fresh berries or vanilla ice cream for a special dessert treat

Creative Twists

Chocolate chip cookies are a classic American favorite but little twists like the addition of chocolate hearts give this recipe a seasonal charm perfect for Valentine's Day These cookies can also be adapted year-round by changing decoration colors or mix-ins according to holidays or personal preferences Using cornstarch in the dough is a baking trick used by many to achieve a soft tender bite which is popular in more refined cookie recipes

This recipe never fails to impress loved ones and adds a lovely touch of festivity to any occasion

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What is the best butter temperature for baking the cookies?

Using cold butter cut into cubes helps create a tender texture by incorporating air pockets during mixing, resulting in a balanced crumb.

→ Can I substitute mini chocolate chips with regular ones?

Yes, regular chocolate chips can be used, but mini chips distribute more evenly, offering consistent bites of chocolate throughout.

→ Why is cornstarch included in the ingredients?

Cornstarch tenderizes the dough and contributes to a softer, more delicate cookie texture by reducing gluten development.

→ How does the chocolate hearts addition affect the cookies?

Chocolate hearts add festive color and texture, melting slightly to complement the mini chips while enhancing the visual appeal.

→ What baking temperature yields the best results?

Baking at 410° ensures a crispy outside with a chewy center, perfect for these chocolate chip treats.