These heart-shaped vanilla and chocolate sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and full of probiotic goodness, thanks to Lifeway Kefir! They have a delicious balance of flavors, with the richness of chocolate and the warmth of vanilla, all in one cute, heart-shaped cookie. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just a cozy baking day at home!
Made with simple ingredients and gut-friendly Lifeway Kefir, these cookies have a wonderfully tender texture. Let’s bake up some love! 💕
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Soft & Buttery – These cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
✔️ Probiotic-Powered – Lifeway Kefir adds a boost of probiotics and moisture.
✔️ Fun & Festive – The heart shape makes them perfect for special occasions!
✔️ Vanilla & Chocolate in One – No need to choose between flavors!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup Lifeway Kefir (Plain or Vanilla)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (for chocolate dough)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, Lifeway Kefir, and vanilla extract until well combined.
2️⃣ Divide & Flavor the Dough
Split the dough into two equal portions. Leave one plain (vanilla), and mix cocoa powder into the other for a chocolate dough.
3️⃣ Chill the Dough
Wrap each dough portion separately in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
4️⃣ Roll & Cut the Cookies
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough to ¼ inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
For a marbled effect, gently press the vanilla and chocolate doughs together before rolling and cutting.
5️⃣ Bake the Cookies
Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
6️⃣ Cool & Enjoy
Let cookies cool completely before decorating. Enjoy with a glass of Lifeway Kefir or a warm cup of tea! ☕
Baking Tips & Tricks
💡 Chilling is key! It prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
💡 For extra flavor, drizzle with melted chocolate or dust with powdered sugar.
💡 Want a fruity twist? Try using strawberry-flavored kefir! 🍓
💡 Make sandwich cookies by adding vanilla or chocolate filling between two hearts.