Valentine’s Day Cookies

By davidv

These heart-shaped raspberry jam cookies are perfect to make for Valentine's Day. If you don't like hazelnuts, you can omit them, or replace with pecans or walnuts.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 (16.5-ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• Seedless raspberry jam
• Two heart-shaped cookie cutters (one slightly larger than the other)

Preparation

Step 1

Move the oven racks to the lower levels of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Pour the chopped hazelnuts and flour into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Place the hazelnut mixture and cookie dough in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until evenly incorporated. Remove the paddle attachment and work the dough with your hands to form a disk.

On a floured surface, roll the dough until it's 1/4" thick. Cut the dough with the larger heart-shape cookie cutter. Then, cut out the centers of half of the cookies with a smaller cookie cutter. Work the scraps back together, roll, and cut out more cookies. (Do not roll the scraps for a third time. The dough will be too brittle.)

Carefully place the cookies onto the prepared cookie sheets, using a large spatula to transfer them. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through the baking process. Cool the cookies on a wire rack.

When the cookies are completely cool, spread a thin layer of jam on the bottom surface of the full cookie. Then, place the cut-out cookie on top and gently sandwich them together. Use a small spoon or piping bag to fill the cutouts with a little more jam.