These Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies are my favorite way to turn a classic treat into something extra special. With their soft centers, golden edges, and plenty of gooey chocolate chips, they’re everything I love about chocolate chip cookies—but shaped into cute hearts that are perfect for holidays, gifts, or just because.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love these cookies because they’re both fun and delicious. They have the rich, buttery flavor of a traditional chocolate chip cookie, but the heart shape makes them feel thoughtful and festive. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or as a homemade gift. Plus, I can use the same dough I always make—just roll it out and cut into hearts instead of scooping.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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All-purpose flour
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Unsalted butter (softened)
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Brown sugar
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Granulated sugar
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Egg
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Vanilla extract
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Semi-sweet chocolate chips
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Optional: heart-shaped cookie cutter, extra chocolate chips for topping
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, I whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
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In another large bowl, I beat the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars until creamy.
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I mix in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
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Gradually, I add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
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I fold in the chocolate chips, saving some for pressing on top later.
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I roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness between two sheets of parchment paper and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
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I place them on the baking sheet and press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each one.
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I bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft.
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I let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 20–24 heart-shaped cookies, depending on the size of the cutter. It takes around 15 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to bake each batch, so I usually have them done in under 40 minutes.
Variations
Sometimes I add white chocolate chips or mini M&M’s for a pop of color. I’ve also mixed in a bit of cocoa powder to make a chocolate dough version. When I want to decorate them more, I drizzle melted chocolate or dip half the cookie in chocolate and sprinkle with crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
Storage/Reheating
I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, I place a slice of bread in the container. If I want to reheat them slightly, I microwave one for about 8–10 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, I often make the dough the day before and keep it in the fridge. I just let it soften slightly before rolling and cutting.
How do I keep the heart shape while baking?
I make sure the dough is well chilled before cutting and use a sturdy cookie cutter. I also don’t overbake—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Definitely. I roll and cut the cookies, then freeze them flat on a tray. Once frozen, I store them in a bag and bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
What’s the best chocolate to use?
I like semi-sweet chocolate chips for balance, but I’ve also used chunks, mini chips, or a mix of milk and dark chocolate.
Can I use this recipe for other shapes?
Yes, the dough works great for any shape. I just adjust baking time slightly if the cutter is larger or smaller than the heart shape I usually use.
Conclusion
Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies are the sweetest way to share a classic treat. They’re soft, chewy, and full of chocolatey goodness, with a fun shape that makes them perfect for gifting or celebrating. Whether I’m baking them for someone I care about or just treating myself, these cookies always bring smiles.
Print
Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20–24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips—made extra special by their festive heart shape. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in chocolate chips, reserving some for topping.
- Roll dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut out hearts using a cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on baking sheet and press a few extra chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set and centers are slightly soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill dough before cutting to help cookies keep their shape.
- Decorate with melted chocolate or sprinkles for a festive finish.
- Store with a slice of bread to keep cookies soft longer.
- Freeze cut-out dough for later baking—no thawing needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
