Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I find myself drawn to every heart-shaped dessert I see. Regardless of your personal feelings about the holiday, it’s the ideal time for a little whimsy. These brownie heart sandwich cookies are a pretty way to embrace hearts: the rich cocoa roll-out cookies are a breeze to make, and the filling (naturally pink with strawberry jam) reminds me of strawberries and cream.
As a timesaver, bake the cookies up to a day ahead of assembly and store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature. For even more inspiration, check out my Valentine’s Day board on Pinterest!
Brownie Heart Sandwich Cookies
Brownie Roll-Out Cookies
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen
3 cups flour, plus more for dusting
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
Filling
1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup Mascarpone, at room temperature
1/4 cup strawberry jam
pinch of salt
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 Tbsp low-fat milk
For the cookies, whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Beat butter in a large mixer bowl at medium speed until creamy; add sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time; add vanilla. Reduce speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and beat just until incorporated. Wrap dough with plastic and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Divide the dough into 3 sections; working with one section at a time, roll dough out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured board. Use a 2-inch heart cutter to cut into hearts. Repeat with remaining dough, re-rolling scraps as needed, until you have 56 hearts (brush off excess flour, though it disappears once baked). Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until cookies are slightly puffed and edges are firm. Cool for 2 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the filling, beat butter and Mascarpone in a large mixer bowl on medium speed for 1 minute. Add strawberry jam and salt; beat another 30 seconds. Reduce speed to low and gradually add powdered sugar until incorporated. Add milk and beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until filling is creamy and smooth (if filling appears too soft, chill in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes).
Use an offset spatula to spread filling onto the flat side of half the cookies, then sandwich with remaining cookies, pressing gently. Chill filled cookies in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. Store leftover sandwich cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
Yield – 28 cookie sandwiches (serving size: 1)
Calories – 220
Carbs – 30
it’s crazy how fast vday is approaching! these are the perfect treat for them :) you beat me to it, too. i made these a few weeks ago but haven’t posted it. they’re so good!
I love these Laura, they’re not only fun but incredibly delicious looking! I have that same little heart cookie cutter. It was my mom’s so when I saw that on your post, it was even more special!
Simple and gorgeous!!
Love your adapted SK cookies, Laura!!! xx
Pretty Laura, so bright and cheerful for a little Valentines day whimsy;-)
Perfect for Valentine’s day. Looks gorgeous….aww!!!
Brownie cookies sound so good. These are so fun, Laura!
Too cute! Jason would be so happy if I made these for him!
These are darling! I agree, how could you not find these adorable, regardless of your feelings about Valentine’s Day (I, for one, love it.)?
Ive seen these on Deb’s site and also in her book there’s a version and have always wanted to try them. They’re adorable!
These are too cute to be eaten! And I feel the L♥VE! cheers, Jo
These cookies are darling, I love strawberries and chocolate together! Your Valentines Day board is gorgeous too!!
I’ve made these cookies before Christmas and they turned out so good! I have to make them again soon, what a great idea to cut them in heart shape!
What a perfect Valentine’s Day treat!!! So cute AND yummy…can’t beat that combo!
Such pretty brownies!
I love heart shaped desserts! And I don’t wait for Vday to have some, either. :)
You have such lovely cookie cutters. I really must remember about Valentine’s Day this year. I always forget it and so does my husband!
I love Valentines Day and all of the goodies around it. Your sandwich cookies look so tasty. What a great filling. I am going to check out your pinterest board. :-)
These are the perfect sweet for your Valentine’s Day sweetie! So adorable!
These are adorable!!!
Marvelous Valentine cookies! I find a touch of whimsy adds sparkle to an otherwise mundane day. It lightens the load and offers an opportunity to smile with joy and delight. Cookies and whimsy? A perfect celebration!
I’d much prefer a box of cookies to a box of chocolates ;) I have the same vintage heart cutter, it makes me smile every time I use it!
These are beautiful, Laura!
Love these! So cute!
Laura these are adorable for Valentine’s Day, love the filling too.
These are so cute! Perfect for Valentine’s Day – with the hearts, chocolates, and strawberries…It’s the classic Valentine’s flavour! Ummmm…I wish I can have a bite now…but I have to wait for the weekend for my treats. Save the best for the end of the week!
What a cute little cookie cutter Laura! I love a little whimsy especially when it is edible and chocolate!
Ahh yes Valentines day….wow I better get thinking cause I’m the worlds worst procrastinator :) Great sandwich cookies!!
They are beautiful! I don’t celebrate Valentine’s day, but I would eat it anyway…
these types of cookies are so fun…my boys love to open up and eat out the filling…and thanks for the tip to make cookie part a day ahead…i always seem to forget to do that :-)
Cute and exquisite! A great treat for Valentine’s Day.
Cheers,
Rosa
Ah, they are so pretty, and cute, and inviting :)
I would not mind a big batch of these for Valentine’s Day!
What a lovely Valentine treat, Laura! …and of course, I will never say no to mascarpone!
These are absolutely adorable! And the perfect Valentine’s Day sweet!
I love the combination of fruit and chocolate in these cookies, and the cute heart shape is adorable! That creamy strawberry filling sounds so good. :)
These are so adorable, Laura! Love the mascarpone filling!
How beautiful! And perfect for Valentine’s Day!
What a lovely cookies, Laura. I completely understand you: I’m not a Valentine’s fan, but I can’t help looking for heart-shaped moulds and cutters when the day is near (just like a silly teenager! ;-)
And the filling is mouth-watering: mascarpone and jam, a perfect mix!
I always tend to run away from heart shape food, but they always look so cute :)
Brownie and cookie in the same recipe, I am so in!!! They look wonderful, Hugs, Terra
Oh Laura….these are so pretty for this time of year. But who am I kidding? I can’t resist hearts ANY time of the year!
I love anything heart-shaped no matter how far away Valentine’s Day is! These look fantastic Laura!
These are SO adorable and just perfect for Valentine’s Day! I made heart cookies last week and loved them.
Laura, they are divine! I don’t really understand people that poohpooh Valentines Day. It’s all fun to me! :D
Eeek, aren’t these the cutest Valentine’s Day sammies I ever did see! Love that they’re brownie cookies — how delish is that?!
I could eat the filling for these cookies all by itself.. These look so lovely!
They are really cute and just wonderful for Valentine’s day! Maybe my husband can see this and bake some for me? :-)
I just happen to have left-over mascarpone and raspberry jam lying around. I think I now know what I will do with them ;) Thanks for the recipe!
I can’t believe it’s nearly valentines day already! My how time flies! As for your cookies, they are so cute! I’m all for whimsy, and heart shaped chocolate cookies, well I’m definitely for those!
Absolutely adore your heart shape cookies! Love that they look and sound light and I can eat bunch of them… :D
These are adorable and perfect for the holiday. These would be such a great edible gift–who wouldn’t smile upon receiving these? :)
Seriously cute and very romantic!