Barefoot Contessa's Shortbread Hearts Ina Garten

Indulge in the timeless charm of "Barefoot Contessa's Shortbread Hearts" by Ina Garten—an elegant treat that combines buttery richness with effortless sophistication. These heart-shaped delights are crafted with simple, high-quality ingredients like creamy unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and a touch of kosher salt, making them melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The dough is chilled for easy handling, then rolled and cut into charming hearts before being baked to golden perfection. A dusting of sugar on top adds a delicate sparkle and subtle crunch. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, a tea-time treat, or gifting, these classic shortbread cookies deliver a heavenly balance of texture and flavor in every bite. Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, this recipe is a go-to for both novice bakers and seasoned pros.

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.25 cups granulated sugar (for sprinkling on top)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and kosher salt.

Step 5

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Continue mixing until the dough begins to come together.

Step 6

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.

Step 7

Roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thick on a floured surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.

Step 8

Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

Step 9

Sprinkle the tops of the cookies lightly with granulated sugar.

Step 10

Bake the cookies for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges just slightly begin to brown.

Step 11

Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1257.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6237.7

Total Fat 373.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 233.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 991.1mg	0%
Sodium 220.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 672.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.7g	0%
Total Sugars 260.7g
Protein 59.6g	0%

Vitamin D 223.8IU	0%
Calcium 169.4mg	0%
Iron 25.4mg	0%
Potassium 676.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.5%

Protein: 3.8%

Carbs: 42.7%