Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies

Name: Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup vegan butter (softened); 3/4 cup cane sugar; 3/4 cup coconut sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 2 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour (or gluten-free 1:1 flour with xanthan gum); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 3/4 cups dairy-free chocolate chips

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These heart shaped chocolate chip cookies are dairy-free and made from scratch. They can be made with or without cookie cutters! This gives you the flexibility to make big, giant heart shaped chocolate chip cookies or smaller bite-sized ones. They are so chewy and easy to make in one bowl!

multiple heart shaped chocolate chip cookies resting on parchment paper on a pink surface.

These dairy free chocolate chip cookies are the perfect Valentine's Day dessert. There's no better time to make heart shaped cookies than in February! You might want to try these raspberry white chocolate cookies, too, since they are also super festive.

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Why You'll Love These Cookies
Ingredient Notes
Step-By-Step Instructions
Heart Shaped Cookies Without Cookie Cutters
Expert Baking Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Storing And Freezing
More Cookie Recipes
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Why You'll Love These Cookies

Easy to Make - This cookie recipe can be made easily in just 30 minutes.
One Bowl Cookies - These are one bowl chocolate chip cookies which makes them so easy to make, and means less cleanup for you!
Dairy-Free - These chocolate chip cookies are dairy-free and can also be made gluten-free, if desired.
Made from Scratch - Homemade cookies made from scratch are so much better than store-bought cookies. Plus, they have healthier ingredients!
Customize the Size - Since you can make these heart shaped chocolate chip cookies without a cookie cutter, you can make them any size. Big, giant, and small heart cookies are possible-- get creative or make all sizes!

Ingredient Notes

You need less than 10 ingredients to make these cookies.

all of the ingredients to make dairy free chocolate chip cookies, set out in small dishes on a pink surface.

Here are some important notes on a few of the ingredients, with tips for substituting ingredients and making gluten and dairy free chocolate chip cookies.

Cane Sugar - Cane sugar is minimally refined, but you may substitute granulated sugar with good results.
Coconut Sugar - This unrefined sugar provides a "brown sugar" taste to the cookies. You can substitute with light brown sugar if you don't have coconut sugar.
Vegan Butter - I like using Earth Balance butter, but any dairy-free butter works!
Flour - To make gluten and dairy free chocolate chip cookies, substitute white whole wheat flour with gluten free 1:1 flour with xanthan gum.
Eggs - I have not tested these cookies without eggs, but if you try using flax eggs, please let me know how they turn out so I can offer advice for other readers.
Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips - I like using semi-sweet chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips are also easy to find dairy-free.

Step-By-Step Instructions

These Valentine's Day cookies are so easy to make in just a few quick steps.

three images depicting the first three steps of making the cookies, including preparing the pan, mixing the eggs, and adding the dry ingredients.

STEP 1: Preheat the oven and prepare a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking pan (12 x 16" is best) with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Grease it lightly with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Cream butter and sugars. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the vegan butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, usually 2-3 minutes. Then add in the eggs and vanilla extract and mix at medium-high speed until smooth.

STEP 3: Add dry ingredients. In the same bowl, add in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed until just combined. Don't overmix!

three images depicting steps 4-6 of making the cookies, including adding chocolate chips and spreading the dough onto the baking sheet.

STEP 4: Fold in chocolate chips. Mix until the chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

STEP 5: Transfer to baking sheet. Add all of the chocolate chip cookie dough to the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula, knife, or your hands to spread the dough into an even layer, covering the entire pan.

STEP 6: Bake. Bake the pan of cookie dough for 20-22 minutes. It will spread against the edges of the pan and become golden brown on top.

cutting out heart shaped chocolate chip cookies with two heart shaped cookie cutters.

STEP 7: Cut cookie shapes. Once baked and cooled, use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out heart shaped chocolate chip cookies from the pan. Don't do this when the cookies are warm, or they might crumble. Peel off the foil from the bottom and enjoy!

TIP: Want to make heart shaped cookies without a cookie cutter? Read the next section in the blog post for two easy, alternative ways to make heart shaped cookies.

one chocolate chip cookie leaning against another cookie on a pink surface.

If you don't have any heart shaped cookie cutters, that's okay! You can shape the cookies a couple of different ways without cookie cutters:

Molded Chocolate Chip Cookies - This method involves molding the cookie dough into heart shapes before baking. First, chill the dough for 20-30 minutes to make it easy to work with. Then take 1-2 tablespoons of cookie dough and flatten it on a baking tray, molding it with your hands into a long and skinny heart shape to allow for spreading while baking. Be sure to leave one to two inches between each cookie on the baking sheet so they don't morph together as they spread.

When the cookies are warm out of the oven, gently use the back of a spatula or knife to further define the heart shape. Then let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Cut Out Chocolate Chip Cookies - You can also make heart shaped cookies without cookie cutters by using a knife to "cut out" the chocolate chip cookies. Follow the instructions as outlined above, spreading the chocolate chip cookie dough into a rimmed baking pan. After baking, nstead of using cookie cutters to cut out the cookies, use a sharp knife to cut heart shapes by hand.

Be sure to cut the cookies while they are still slightly warm to make it easy. Try cutting out some small, large, and giant heart shaped chocolate chip cookies so you have a fun variety! Once cool, use a spatula to remove the heart shaped cookies from the pan.

a stack of four heart cookies, with a hand picking up the cookie on the top.

Expert Baking Tips

Properly measure flour - It's best to weigh your flour in grams to ensure you're using the correct amount. You may also use the "spoon-and-level" method, spooning your flour into a measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife.
Use room temperature butter and eggs - Set your vegan butter and eggs out on the counter 2 hours before baking, if you can. This makes the butter easy to cream, and the eggs will emulsify better with the dough, creating a chewy texture.
Chill the dough if hand-molding the cookies - If you're molding the cookies by hand before baking, chill the dough so it's not so sticky. This makes it easier to work wtih.
Let cookies cool before removing from pan - Let the cookies cool in the pan before removing them, or else your hearts might not hold their shape properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these cut out chocolate chip cookies?

Yes, you can use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the chocolate chip cookies from the pan once they bake. This is the easiest and fastest way to make heart shaped chocolate chip cookies.

Can you shape chocolate chip cookies?

Yes! If you don't have a heart shaped cookie cutter, you can shape the chocolate chip cookie dough into heart shapes before baking. I recommend chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes first so it is easier to work with.

What can I make with heart shaped cookie cutters?

You can make heart shaped cookies, heart shaped brownies, blondies, hand pies and pie crust shapes. These are just a few ideas on what to make with heart shaped cookie cutters.

How do you cut a heart without a cookie cutter?

If you don't have a heart cookie cutter, you can use a sharp knife to cut the cookies into heart shapes by hand. This takes a bit longer, but still works well. It's best to cut the cookies while they are slightly warm in the pan rather than waiting until they are completely cool.

Can I make giant heart shaped chocolate chip cookies?

Absolutely! You can use your hands to mold the dough into a giant heart shaped chocolate chip cookie before baking or use a knife to cut out a giant chocolate chip cookie from the pan once it bakes.

a heart shaped chocolate chip cookie shown with multiple dairy-free chocolate chips in the side of the cookie.

Storing And Freezing

Store the chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 5-7 days. They can also be kept in the fridge. Try reheating them for 5-10 seconds in the microwave to enjoy a soft, warm cookie.

To freeze the cookies, place them in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature for at least an hour before enjoying again.

If you made these heart shaped chocolate chip cookies, please leave a rating and review below! Post a photo of them on Instagram and tag me so I can share it! For more recipe inspiration, follow me on Pinterest and join my email list to stay updated with new recipes and exclusive content each week.

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