Melt your Valentine’s heart this year with these Pink Grapefruit and Thyme Shortbread Hearts!
Has everyone had enough of Super Bowl food? It’s time to move on isn’t it? There are only so many wings and weenie tots (as my brother-in-law Clark calls them) we can eat. But there’s always room for cookies. And a sweet treat for your sweetheart is always in order!
So who’s ready to get their Valentine’s Day bake on?
I always try to whip up a special cookie for Valentine’s Day. Last year, I treated my sweetheart to Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies. They were deliciously fun!
This year I’m all about citrus. I can’t get enough! I’ve been serving up my Winter Citrus Mascarpone Tart, Blood Orange Loaf, Blood Orange Curd and my Lemon Crinkle Cookies on repeat for weeks and enjoying every bite. There’s just something about snacking on citrus fruits during the dead of winter that perks me up, so I’m tying in citrus season to this year’s special cookie.
I enjoyed a grapefruit and thyme gin and tonic recently, and I was smitten by the combination of flavors. The tartness of the pink grapefruit accompanied by the herbaceous, woodsy flavor of the thyme was a wonderful combo.
It got me thinking. What a great way to elevate the flavor of a buttery shortbread cookie. I simply add some freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, grated grapefruit zest and thyme leaves to traditional shortbread cookie dough. And after they’ve cooled, I drizzle my cut-outs with a glaze made from confectioners’ sugar, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and a smidge of pink gel food coloring, then a sprinkling of additional thyme leaves. These little hearts will leave your Valentine swooning! Enjoy!
And today at the BHK you get a little Valentine’s Day bonus! My friend Cindy from The Sweet Nerd organized a fabulous group of fellow bloggers who are sharing their favorite treats for the upcoming holiday! Just scroll down to check out all the tasty treats! It’s an impressive list of goodies that will melt your Valentine’s ♥! You can also follow along on all social media with the hashtag #galentinesday.
Meet the #galentinesday bloggers…
Beyond Mere Sustenance – Blood Orange Margarita Sorbet
Seasons and Suppers – Vanilla Rose Shortbread Cookies
Ciao Chow Bambina – Chocolate Panna Cotta with Raspberry Compote
Meg is Well – Horchata Latte Cheesecake
Katherine in Brooklyn – Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake
This Brown Kitchen – Chocolate Topped Seed and Nut Bars
Seek Satiation – Chocolate Bottomed Strawberry Fool
Madeline Hall – Earl Grey Frosted Brownies
What Should I Make For… – Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
The Sweet Nerd – Chocolate Wine Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 2 tsp. grated grapefruit zest
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
- 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
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Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
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In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, grapefruit juice, grapefruit zest and vanilla until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, salt and thyme leaves and continue to mix just until combined.
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Divide the dough in half, shaping into discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate until somewhat firm, about 45 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
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Working with one disc at a time, roll out dough onto surface lightly dusted with flour to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut shapes using 2-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on prepared sheet. Refrigerate cookies for 20 minutes.
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Bake until edges are golden brown, about 18-20 minutes, rotating tray halfway through. Let cool on pan. When cookies are cool remove to wire rack, then drizzle with glaze and sprinkle with additional thyme leaves, if desired.
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Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar and grapefruit juice and a bit of rose food coloring gel to get to desired color.
Absolutely love these cookie MaryAnn! I’m a huge fan of what are usually thought to be savory herbs in my baking. These are so perfect!
Me too! Thanks Debs!
How pretty! And I too am intrigued by this wonderful flavor combination!
It’s a delicious combo Chris. Hope you have a chance to bake a batch!
Love everything about these beautiful cookies! I love shortbread and the addition of citrus and herbs (and that pretty glaze) is such a delicious way to elevate them for our Galentine’s Day celebration!
Thanks Jennifer! Happy Galentine’s Day!
Weenie tots! Lol!!!! Sorry, had to get that out for the way. ;) Anyways. These cookies are just so cute, Mare!! And absolutely prrfect for Valentines (or galentines) day!! I only like grapefruit when it’s paired with a sweet (because I’m weird), so these are right up my alley! Pinning of course! Cheers! xoxo
He’s hilarious Chey! Hope you get to try these Chey! The flavor combo is delicious! Happy Monday!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I LOVE grapefruit in baked goods.
Thanks Alida! Me too!
Beautiful. Delectable. And Delicate. Wow, these are a showstopper. Thank you for sharing these delightful cookies. Might have to try the drink that inspired this too!
Definitely try the cocktail too! It’s smashing!
Love this combo, Mary Ann! And cute little heart shapes for Valentine’s Day (or a random Monday, lol)?! Yes please! Pinned. Happy Monday, my friend! XOXO
Or a random Monday is right Dawn! Have an awesome week!
Obsessed with these sweet treats! Love the flavors in these – I’m a huge fan of citrusy foods in the winter too! Perfect for Valentine’s Day.
I can’t get enough Michelle! Hope you try these!
Such a pretty and delicious dessert! I love the addition of citrus and herbs! Happy Galentine’s Day, my friend!
Happy Galentine’s Annie!
LOVING these, Mary Ann! Grapefruit makes my heart go pitter patter. (So do cookies.) And I love the addition of thyme!
Mine too Kelsie! Hope you give them a go!
These are the cutest Mary Ann. Loving your inclusion of the thyme as those little flecks add visual interest to these beauties. And of course I’m smitten with the citrus flavoring as it adds an extra bit of sunniness to these cold, dreary days. When is spring again?
I can’t wait for spring Lynn! This cold weather is for the birds!
Herbs and shortbread are such a stellar combination! Can’t wait to give this a shot. I love new shortbread recipes. :-D
Hope you enjoy them Allison!
These are so beautiful and I love your flavor combo. Maybe I should make these for the teachers…
Great idea Karen!
Love shortbread anything and loving the thyme addition!
Thanks Leigh Ann! Happy Monday!
These are just the cutest, Mary Ann – they would brighten up anyone’s day. Think I may have to make these for my co-workers!
Yay! Hope they all enjoy Geraldine!
These are the prettiest cookies ever! Totally loving these, I will have to make them with Asher!
Yay! Hope you guys have fun making them and enjoy eating them!!
These shortbread hearts are so lovely! I could definitely see them on a tray at a Galentine’s Day tea party! Just beautiful…
I’m all about the citrus too! We recently moved to south Texas from New Mexico, and the citrus here is amazing. I can’t get enough ruby red grapefruit and blood oranges!
Then you’ll really enjoy these Tamara!!
These are so pretty, Mary Ann! I’m a sucker for anything that’s citrus/herbal, so you are really calling my name with these!
Thanks Marissa! Hope you bake a batch!
I looooove pink grapefruit. These are so pretty and look delish. For some reason the ad I’m getting right below these beautiful images is a dental implants ad – 3x! I swear I’m not looking for dental implants, but you might want to get that ad removed so it doesn’t take away from this gorgeous recipe.
Thanks so much for letting me know Tessa. I’ll look into that asap.
I am with you- always room for cookies. :) And these are so darling, Mary Anne, and the splash of citrus and a bit of savory thyme makes these special. I love making cookies and giving them away on Valentine’s Day just to make friends and family feel loved. These would be such a welcome gift. xo
I love making homemade treats for my Valentine’s too Emily! It’s always more special than something store-bought!
These look so yummy! I’m a sucker for any shortbread – especially heart shaped ones (:
Me too Suruchi!
Oh my! You know Rob and I did our taxes sans the superbowl (it’s a tradition!! – lol), and I’m SO glad we got them out of the way. There were plenty of snacks to be had however… I mean, just call it the taxbowl. These are the sweetest little cookies, Mary Ann.. and so festive! Love your Grapefruit G&T – what a treat. I’ve been going back and fourth between that and blood orange. SO good, right?
You’re so lucky you’re done Traci! We watched the game, and it was incredibly exciting! Our Philadelphia Eagles won and the city is going crazy!! I loved that grapefruit/thyme G&T! It was heavenly! And you know my love for shortbread! Perhaps blood orange could be next!
There’s always room for cookies as good as these!
Woohoo!
I love everything about these-the flavor combo and the way they look, they’re absolutely perfect!!!
Thanks Meg! Hope you give them a try!
I adore the grapefruit and thyme combo! I wish I had a dozen in front of me right now. ;) Plus, they are just as cute as can be!
Me too! Thanks Tessa!
These look so elegant but delicious! I love that it’s as easy as adding a few ingredients to an already amazing cookie. I’ll have to try these for valentine’s day!
Hope you enjoy them Kendall!
Thyme definitely isn’t something I would instantly think belongs in cookies but once you list out the flavors it give, I totally can see what you are going for here! Now I’m wondering what other kind of desserts thyme could be paired with! Anyways, these look awesome, thanks for sharing!!
It really is a delicious combo Matt! Wonderful in the gin and tonic too! You’re very welcome. Have an awesome week!
Such an interesting combo – thyme and pink grapefruit! I’m sure it’s so yummy together. These cookies are adorable – perfect addition to your galentine’s! :)
Always up for making a new treat for my Valentine Katherine!
These look so lovely! What a delicious little treat!
Thanks Gina! The pink grapefruit/thyme combo is delish.
I love it when unique and interesting combos come together to elevate basic recipes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a shortbread cookie, but I imagine the grapefruit and thyme adds a little something to the melt in your mouth texture of shortbread! BTW, I’m loving all the citrus these days too. Reminders of sunny days! Have a great week Mary Ann!
I love all flavors of shortbread Leanne! I’m an equal opportunity shortbread consumer! And these are yummy!
They’re just so PRETTY. But then as I read the recipe I was like wow, they have such an intriguing flavor combo! I love how you’ve married a classic/pretty look with an innovative and unexpected flavor.
Thanks Jessie! This is a combo you’ll need to try!
I just love cookies like this, they are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Can’t beat citrus flavors this time of year Gerlinde!
I love these!! I really love baking with herbs- they add such nice and subtle flavors!
Hope you give them a try Katherine!
These are SO ADORABLE. And I love the grapefruit and thyme combination.
Thanks Kevin! I love the flavors too.
Wow! What a cool combo! I would have never thought to make cookies with a pink grapefruit and thyme glaze. You’re a genius!
Ha! The combo is delicious Christina! You ought to try the cocktail too!
Great combination of thyme and grapefruit and the use of herbs makes it more flavorful. A good try this Valentines!
It’s an awesome combination!
These would make every Valentine happy!
I know they’re making my Valentine happy for sure Naomi!
how very very pretty and elegant these are. and i love the taste of grapefruit so i bet these taste delicious too. cheers sherry
Thanks Sherry!
Those sugar cookies are so cute! Love the idea of flavoring them with grapefruit! I love the pretty heart shaped doilies too :)
Thanks Deepika!
What an amazing combination! I love grapefruit but I don’t often think about adding it to desserts, but why not? I love all kinds of other citrus in sweet things. I need to use grapefruit too! These cookies look very delicate and are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Thanks Kathy! Hope you enjoy your Valentine’s Day!
So pretty in pink, I adore these hearts!
Thanks Laura!
love the sound of grapefruit + thyme! i’ve used rosemary in baking before, but never thyme, and now i’m wondering how i can make up for lost time….
Get baking Heather! Hope you enjoy!