DIY Valentine’s Day Shortbread Heart-Shaped Cookies

Using an electric mixer, mix the Irish butter until creamy. Then add the sugar, kosher salt, and vanilla extract and continue to mix until fully combined.

Add the flour and continue to mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Then take the dough out and use your hands to shape the dough into a ball. Then wrap the ball in plastic wrap and chill in a refrigerator for about 1 hour. (Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and also helps concentrate flavors).

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Wrap the roller with plastic wrap (this prevents dough from sticking to the roller) and roll out the dough ¼ inch thick on a surface dusted with plenty of flour. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many cookies as possible. Place the cookies 1 inch (2.5cm) apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gather the scraps, roll out the dough, and cut out more cookies. Repeat one or two more times as needed until the dough is used up.

Bake until the edges just begin to brown, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a rack or flat surface to cool completely.

Put the 3 ounces of chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high power for 30 seconds. Stir with a wooden spoon. Continue to heat and stir in 30 second increments until the chocolate is melted. Be careful as the glass bowl can get quite hot. Stir vigorously until chocolate is smooth.

Use a small shallow spoon to scoop some melted chocolate and carefully apply chocolate on half of the heart-shaped cookie. Place the chocolate covered cookies on parchment paper and let the chocolate cool completely.