Get ready to sprinkle some extra love and a whole lot of fun into your baking routine with a recipe that’s as charming as it is delicious: our Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights! Forget boring cookies; these adorable treats are here to steal the show with their buttery shortbread base and a surprise burst of chewy, fruity gummy bear goodness in every heart-shaped bite. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, a special anniversary, or just because you want to make someone (or yourself!) smile, these Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights are the perfect way to share a little edible affection. They’re easy enough for novice bakers yet impressive enough for seasoned pros. Let’s dive into making some magic!
Why You’ll Love These Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights
- Super Easy & Quick: With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 10, you can whip up a batch of these Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights in under half an hour! Perfect for last-minute treats or satisfying sudden cookie cravings.
- Adorably Cute: The heart-shaped indent filled with bright red, melty gummy bears makes these cookies irresistibly charming. They’re guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face and make any occasion feel extra special.
- Deliciously Unique Texture: Imagine the melt-in-your-mouth richness of a classic shortbread cookie, perfectly complemented by a surprisingly chewy and sweet gummy bear center. It’s a textural dream come true!
- Perfect for Sharing: Yielding 24 delightful cookies, this recipe for Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights is ideal for gifting, party platters, or simply sharing the love with family and friends. They’re a homemade gesture that speaks volumes.
Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights: Ingredients
Gather your simple ingredients to create these unforgettable Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights. The magic begins with these pantry staples:
- 🧈 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (at room temperature)
- granulated sugar (you’ll need about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, depending on desired sweetness – the recipe implies it, but let’s be clear and say: 1/2 cup granulated sugar)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 🥚 1 large egg yolk
- 🌾 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 🧂 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 🍬 24 red gummy bears, cut in half (for that perfect pop of color!)
Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights: Step-by-Step Directions
Follow these easy steps to bring your Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights to life!
- Get Ready to Bake: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats – this makes cleanup a breeze!
- Creamy Dreamy Base: In a medium-sized bowl or your stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is wonderfully light and fluffy.
- Add the Essentials: Stir in the vanilla extract and the single egg yolk, mixing until everything is smooth and well combined.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the flour and salt to your wet ingredients. Mix until a thick, soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix!
- Shape Your Love: Roll the dough into cute one-inch balls and place them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Heartfelt Indents: Gently use your pinky finger (or pointer finger for smaller hands) to press down twice on each dough ball, creating a sweet heart-shaped indent.
- Gummy Bear Magic: Carefully place two halves of your chosen red gummy bears into each heart indent, arranging them in a little “V” shape.
- Bake with Care: Pop the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cookie bottoms are lightly golden and the gummy bears are beautifully melty.
- Smooth it Out (if needed): If your gummy bears don’t fully spread, don’t worry! Carefully use a toothpick to gently swirl and spread the warm, gooey candy within the heart shape. Watch out for the hot melted candy!
- Cool and Enjoy: Let your adorable cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. As they cool, the gummy centers will firm up again, creating a delightful chewy texture. Time to share your homemade, heartfelt treats!
Presenting and Serving Your Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights
These Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights are almost too cute to eat, but we encourage you to present them with flair! For Valentine’s Day, arrange them in a small, decorative box lined with tissue paper, tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. They also look stunning on a tiered dessert stand at a party, alongside other treats, or simply piled high on a rustic wooden platter. For a more personal touch, individually wrap them in clear cellophane bags with a custom tag. Serve these delightful cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a warm cup of coffee or tea, or as a charming accompaniment to a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They make fantastic party favors, a sweet after-dinner treat, or a joyful snack for a cozy afternoon.
Storing Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights: How Long Do They Last?
To keep your Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their best flavor and texture for up to 3-5 days. While you *can* refrigerate them, the texture of the cookie might change slightly, and the gummy centers could become very firm. We don’t recommend freezing the baked cookies with the gummy centers, as the gummy texture can become odd upon thawing. However, you can prepare the dough balls (without the gummy bears) and freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, simply thaw slightly, add the gummy bears, and bake as directed, potentially adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights: FAQs
- Can I use different colored gummy bears for these Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights?
Absolutely! While red gummy bears give that classic Valentine’s Day look, feel free to use any color you like. Mix and match for a rainbow of Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights! - What if I don’t have fine sea salt? Can I use regular table salt?
Yes, you can use regular table salt, but reduce the amount slightly (e.g., to 1/4 teaspoon), as table salt is finer and saltier by volume than fine sea salt. - I don’t have an egg yolk, can I skip it or use a whole egg?
The egg yolk adds richness and helps with texture. Using a whole egg might make the dough too wet, changing the cookie consistency. If you can’t use an egg yolk, the cookie might be a bit more crumbly but still delicious. - Can I make the cookie dough for Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 2-3 days. Let it come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before rolling and shaping. - Why aren’t my gummy bears melting or spreading properly?
Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature. If they’re still not spreading, your oven might run a little cool. You can also use the toothpick trick (step 9) to gently encourage them to spread while warm. - Can I make these Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights gluten-free?
You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Results may vary slightly in texture. - How can I make these cookies even more special for an occasion?
After cooling, you can drizzle them with melted white chocolate, sprinkle with edible glitter, or add a tiny edible pearl on top of the gummy heart for extra sparkle! - Are these Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights good for kids to help make?
Absolutely! Rolling the dough balls and placing the gummy bear halves are perfect tasks for little helpers. Just be sure to supervise them with the hot cookies and melted candy. - Can I use gummy worms or other gummy shapes instead of bears?
As long as you can cut them into small, manageable pieces that fit within the heart indent, feel free to experiment with other gummy candies! - What’s the best way to get a perfect heart indent for these Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights?
Your pinky or pointer finger works great! For a more defined shape, you can also lightly flour a small, clean heart-shaped measuring spoon (like a 1/4 teaspoon) and press it gently into the dough.
Sweetheart Gummy Bear Delights
Equipment
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Silicone Mats
- Medium-sized bowl
- Stand Mixer (optional)
- Toothpick (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (at room temperature)
- granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 24 red gummy bears cut in half (for that perfect pop of color!)
Instructions
- Get Ready to Bake: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats – this makes cleanup a breeze!
- Creamy Dreamy Base: In a medium-sized bowl or your stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is wonderfully light and fluffy.
- Add the Essentials: Stir in the vanilla extract and the single egg yolk, mixing until everything is smooth and well combined.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the flour and salt to your wet ingredients. Mix until a thick, soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix!
- Shape Your Love: Roll the dough into cute one-inch balls and place them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Heartfelt Indents: Gently use your pinky finger (or pointer finger for smaller hands) to press down twice on each dough ball, creating a sweet heart-shaped indent.
- Gummy Bear Magic: Carefully place two halves of your chosen red gummy bears into each heart indent, arranging them in a little "V" shape.
- Bake with Care: Pop the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. You'll know they're ready when the cookie bottoms are lightly golden and the gummy bears are beautifully melty.
- Smooth it Out (if needed): If your gummy bears don't fully spread, don't worry! Carefully use a toothpick to gently swirl and spread the warm, gooey candy within the heart shape. Watch out for the hot melted candy!
- Cool and Enjoy: Let your adorable cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. As they cool, the gummy centers will firm up again, creating a delightful chewy texture. Time to share your homemade, heartfelt treats!
Notes
Calories: 160 kcal
Total Carbs: 20g
Net Carbs: 19g
Fats: 9g
Protein: 2g