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Bake Love This Valentine’s Day: Pink Grapefruit and Thyme Shortbread Hearts

As the roar of the Super Bowl fades and the last of the game-day snacks are devoured, our thoughts naturally drift towards something a little sweeter, a touch more delicate. Forget the wings and “weenie tots” for a moment – it’s time to usher in the season of love with a treat that truly melts hearts. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to express affection than with a thoughtful, homemade gift?

Baking for your beloved is an age-old tradition, imbuing each bite with warmth and personal touch. This year, we’re inviting you to get your Valentine’s Day bake on with a recipe that is as charming as it is delicious: our Pink Grapefruit and Thyme Shortbread Hearts. These delightful cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they are a miniature declaration of love, crafted with unique flavors that promise to leave a lasting impression.

A Tradition of Sweetness: Crafting Memorable Valentine’s Treats

Every Valentine’s Day, I look forward to creating a special cookie that embodies the spirit of the occasion. Last year, my sweetheart was utterly charmed by the playful elegance of Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies – a deliciously fun creation that was both visually appealing and incredibly tasty. This year, however, I’ve found myself completely captivated by the vibrant zest of citrus, making it the star of my winter kitchen.

My recent bakes have been a testament to this obsession, featuring an array of bright and tangy delights. From my rich Winter Citrus Mascarpone Tart and the wonderfully moist Blood Orange Loaf, to the intensely flavored Blood Orange Curd and my ever-popular Lemon Crinkle Cookies – citrus has been on repeat, and I’ve savored every single bite. There’s an undeniable joy that comes from indulging in the sunny flavors of citrus during the colder months, a burst of brightness that lifts the spirits. It’s this very essence of winter citrus season that inspired this year’s special Valentine’s Day cookie.

The Perfect Pairing: Grapefruit and Thyme – A Culinary Revelation

The inspiration for this particular flavor combination struck me recently while enjoying a refreshingly crisp grapefruit and thyme gin and tonic. The harmony of flavors was simply captivating. The distinct tartness of the pink grapefruit, mellowed by a hint of natural sweetness, beautifully complemented the herbaceous, slightly woodsy aroma of fresh thyme. It was an unexpected pairing that left me utterly smitten and immediately thinking about how to translate this unique synergy into a dessert.

What a brilliant way, I thought, to elevate the classic, buttery richness of a shortbread cookie! Shortbread, with its simple ingredients and tender, crumbly texture, provides the perfect canvas for such sophisticated flavors. To achieve this delightful infusion, I simply incorporate a generous amount of freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice, finely grated grapefruit zest, and fragrant thyme leaves directly into the traditional shortbread cookie dough. The citrus zest brightens the dough, while the juice adds a delicate tang and keeps the cookies moist. The thyme, finely chopped, disperses its aromatic magic throughout, creating a wonderfully complex yet balanced flavor profile.

Once baked to a golden perfection and allowed to cool, these charming heart-shaped shortbreads receive their crowning glory: a luscious glaze. This simple glaze is made from confectioners’ sugar, more freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice for an extra zing, and just a tiny smidge of pink gel food coloring to give them that adorable, romantic hue. A final scattering of additional fresh thyme leaves on top not only adds another layer of aroma but also provides a beautiful, rustic visual appeal. These little hearts are destined to leave your Valentine swooning, creating a truly unforgettable sweet moment. Enjoy the process of making them as much as the joy of sharing them!

The Art of Shortbread: Tips for Baking Perfect Heart Cookies

Baking shortbread is a rewarding experience, known for its simplicity and the delightful results it yields. To ensure your Pink Grapefruit and Thyme Shortbread Hearts turn out perfectly tender and flavorful, here are a few essential tips:

Quality Ingredients are Key: Since shortbread has few ingredients, the quality of each really shines through. Use good quality unsalted butter, as it forms the foundation of the cookie’s rich flavor and texture.
Don’t Overmix: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overworking the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies instead of the desired tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Chill Your Dough: The chilling step is crucial. It allows the butter to firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helping them maintain their perfect heart shape. It also gives the flavors a chance to meld beautifully.
Even Thickness: When rolling out the dough, aim for an even 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures uniform baking, so all your cookies are golden and done at the same time.
Use Parchment Paper: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup. It also helps the bottom of the cookies bake evenly.
Second Chill: Chilling the cut-out cookies for another 20 minutes before baking is a fantastic trick to really lock in their shape and achieve those crisp edges without excessive spreading.
Watch for Color: Shortbread should be lightly golden around the edges, not deeply browned. Keep an eye on them, as ovens can vary.

Following these simple guidelines will help you create a batch of Pink Grapefruit and Thyme Shortbread Hearts that are truly exquisite, embodying both skill and heartfelt effort.

A Sweet Community: Celebrating Galentine’s Day with Fellow Bloggers

As a special bonus for Valentine’s Day, I’m thrilled to share that this recipe is part of a wonderful collaboration! My dear friend Cindy from The Sweet Nerd has orchestrated a fabulous gathering of fellow bloggers, each sharing their most beloved treats perfect for the upcoming holiday. This “Galentine’s Day” celebration is all about friendship, community, and, of course, delicious desserts. It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new recipes and incredible talent, adding even more sweetness to your holiday preparations. You can join the conversation and explore all the amazing creations by following the hashtag #galentinesday on social media.

Prepare to be impressed by this list of goodies that are sure to melt your Valentine’s (or Galentine’s!) heart. Each blogger brings their unique culinary perspective, offering a diverse array of desserts that cater to every taste and skill level. From refreshing sorbets to decadent cheesecakes and classic shortbreads, there’s something here for everyone looking to bake up some love.

Meet the #galentinesday Bloggers and Their Delectable Delights:

Beyond Mere Sustenance – Blood Orange Margarita Sorbet: A vibrant, zesty, and utterly refreshing dessert perfect for a sunny celebration.
Seasons and Suppers – Vanilla Rose Shortbread Cookies: Delicate and fragrant, these cookies offer a romantic twist on a beloved classic.
Ciao Chow Bambina – Chocolate Panna Cotta with Raspberry Compote: A smooth, luxurious dessert with a burst of fruity brightness.
Meg is Well – Horchata Latte Cheesecake: An innovative and creamy cheesecake combining comforting latte flavors with a unique Horchata base.
Katherine in Brooklyn – Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake: A rich and indulgent cake, perfect for coffee and chocolate lovers.
This Brown Kitchen – Chocolate Topped Seed and Nut Bars: A wholesome yet decadent treat, packed with goodness and topped with irresistible chocolate.
Seek Satiation – Chocolate Bottomed Strawberry Fool: A light and airy dessert with a delightful hidden layer of chocolate.
Madeline Hall –Earl Grey Frosted Brownies: A sophisticated take on brownies, infused with the subtle floral notes of Earl Grey tea.
What Should I Make For… – Red Velvet Whoopie Pies: Classic red velvet goodness sandwiched into delightful whoopie pies.
The Sweet Nerd – Chocolate Wine Cake: An elegant and rich cake that combines the best of chocolate and red wine.

Pink Grapefruit and Thyme Shortbread Hearts

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Yields: 36 two-inch hearts

Print Recipe

Melt your Valentine’s heart this year with these Pink Grapefruit and Thyme Shortbread Hearts!

Prep Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
2 tsp. grated pink grapefruit zest
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
For the Glaze:
1 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
2-3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
Rose colored food gel, if desired
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, if desired (for garnish)

Instructions

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, grapefruit juice, grapefruit zest, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, salt, and fresh thyme leaves. Continue to mix only until all ingredients are just combined and a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a flat disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes, or until the dough is somewhat firm and easy to handle.
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius).
Working with one dough disc at a time, roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the cut-out cookies about 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate the cut-out cookies for another 20 minutes; this helps them maintain their shape while baking.
Bake the cookies for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Rotate the baking tray halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking. Let the cookies cool completely on the pan before carefully transferring them to a wire rack.
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice. Add a tiny amount of rose-colored food gel, if desired, to achieve a lovely pink hue. Mix until smooth and the desired consistency is reached.
Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle them generously with the prepared glaze. If desired, sprinkle a few fresh thyme leaves on top of the wet glaze for an extra aromatic touch and beautiful presentation.

Nutrition

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow and mention @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram!