If you have a sweet tooth and love the irresistible taste of cookie dough, you are going to adore this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts Recipe. It’s a playful twist on a classic favorite that combines rich, buttery cookie dough with mini chocolate chips, all shaped into adorable hearts and coated in a luscious chocolate shell. Perfect for sharing at celebrations or indulging on a cozy night in, this recipe brings together the nostalgia of homemade cookie dough with a fun, elegant presentation that’s sure to impress. Get ready for a delicious treat that’s chewy, creamy, and absolutely addictive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward, but each plays a vital role in creating those soft, sweet, and perfectly textured Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts. From the rich butter that makes the dough silky to the burst of mini chocolate chips for little pockets of chocolate joy, here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a creamy base and rich flavor essential for smooth cookie dough.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the tender texture of the dough.
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed: Supplies moisture and depth of flavor thanks to its molasses content.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings warmth and enhances the overall sweetness.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Choose heat-treated to ensure safety without baking; it forms the dough’s sturdy structure.
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk: Adds creamy sweetness that binds everything beautifully.
- 1 ½ cups mini chocolate chips: For delightful bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
- 8 oz semisweet or milk chocolate chips (or chocolate melts): For coating the hearts, creating a silky, irresistible outer shell.
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional): Helps smooth the chocolate coating and add glossy shine.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Softened butter, sugars, and vanilla go into a mixing bowl where you’ll cream them together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it creates the perfect base for that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Mix in the heat-treated flour carefully to avoid any lumps, then pour in the sweetened condensed milk to give your dough its rich and sticky consistency. Finally, fold in those mini chocolate chips, setting the stage for chocolate surprises in every heart-shaped bite.
Step 2: Shape the Dough Into Hearts
Once your cookie dough is perfectly combined, it’s time to create the hearts. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or roll small portions of dough between your hands to form neat heart shapes. Placing them on a parchment-lined tray keeps them from sticking and helps maintain their form. Chill the hearts in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up, which makes the chocolate coating process much easier.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate Coating
While the cookie dough hearts chill, melt the semisweet or milk chocolate chips with the coconut oil in a microwave or double boiler. Stir continuously until smooth and glossy; the coconut oil helps create that shiny, professional finish you’ll love. This step is where your hearts start turning into beautiful, decadent treats.
Step 4: Coat the Hearts
Dip each chilled cookie dough heart into the melted chocolate, using a fork to lift them out and let excess chocolate drip off. Place them back onto the parchment paper and let the chocolate set. If you want to speed things up, pop the tray into the fridge for about 15 minutes. The chocolate coating offers a delightful crunch and seals in the creamy cookie dough inside.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of sea salt or a drizzle of white chocolate on top of the freshly coated hearts to enhance both the look and the flavor. Fresh berries or edible glitter can add a fun touch if you’re presenting these at a party or gifting them to someone special.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookie dough hearts with a glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a warm mug of coffee or hot chocolate. The creamy warmth of coffee or milk perfectly balances the sweetness and adds an extra layer of comfort to your dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts on a decorative platter with colorful napkins for a charming display. You can also arrange them in cupcake liners or gift boxes, tied up with pretty ribbons for an unforgettable homemade gift. No matter how you serve them, they’re sure to steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cookie dough hearts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Keeping them cool preserves the texture and prevents the chocolate from melting or blooming.
Freezing
These hearts freeze beautifully and make a great make-ahead dessert. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Reheating
Since these are best eaten cold or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. If your coating softens, simply pop them in the fridge for a few minutes to firm back up before serving again.
FAQs
Can I use regular flour instead of heat-treated flour?
Traditional flour isn’t safe to eat raw, so using heat-treated flour is essential if you want to enjoy the cookie dough in its raw form. You can heat-treat your own flour at home by spreading it on a baking sheet and baking at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute with a heat-treated gluten-free flour blend, but check that the blend doesn’t affect the texture too much.
What if I don’t have mini chocolate chips?
You can chop regular chocolate chips or use chocolate chunks instead. Mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly, but chopped chocolate also works well for pockets of melted chocolate.
Can I substitute coconut oil if I don’t have any?
Yes, coconut oil is optional and mostly used for that smooth, glossy chocolate coating. You can substitute with vegetable oil or leave it out altogether, but the texture might not be quite as silky.
How long does it take for the chocolate coating to set?
The chocolate should set within 15-30 minutes at room temperature, depending on the thickness. Refrigerating the coated hearts speeds this process up dramatically.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts Recipe is one of those dazzling desserts that bring pure joy to every bite. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just treating yourself, these hearts combine familiar flavors with a fun presentation that’s hard to resist. So grab your ingredients and have fun creating these sweet little gifts of happiness — you’ll be so glad you did!
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightful Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Hearts are a luscious treat featuring safe-to-eat cookie dough shaped into hearts and coated with smooth chocolate. Perfect for sharing or gifting, these no-bake treats combine the classic flavors of buttery cookie dough and rich chocolate, making them an irresistible dessert that requires minimal effort and no oven time.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (heat-treated to kill bacteria or use heat-treated flour)
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups mini chocolate chips
Coating
- 8 oz semisweet or milk chocolate chips (or chocolate melts)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional, for smooth coating)
Instructions
- Prepare Flour: Start by heat-treating the all-purpose flour to eliminate any bacteria, ensuring it’s safe to eat raw. Spread the flour on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes, then let it cool completely.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and mix well to combine.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the heat-treated flour to the butter and sugar mixture, blending until a thick dough forms. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and mix thoroughly to create a soft, pliable cookie dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough without overmixing.
- Shape the Hearts: Using your hands or a small cookie cutter, form the dough into heart shapes, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Place the hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Melt Chocolate Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt the semisweet or milk chocolate chips with the optional coconut oil to achieve a smooth and glossy coating.
- Coat the Hearts: Dip each chilled cookie dough heart into the melted chocolate to fully coat it. Allow excess chocolate to drip off, then place the coated hearts back on parchment paper to set. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve and Store: Once set, serve the chocolate chip cookie dough hearts immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Ensure the flour is heat-treated to make it safe for raw consumption.
- Using coconut oil in the chocolate coating helps create a smoother and shinier finish.
- Keep the cookie dough hearts refrigerated after coating to maintain firmness.
- These treats are best enjoyed within a week for optimal freshness.
- If you prefer a dairy-free option, substitute the sweetened condensed milk and butter with suitable alternatives.
