Valentines Sugar Cookies Recipe

Sweet Valentine’s Sugar Cookies Recipe: Bake Love Into Every Bite

Sweet moments sparkle when valentine’s sugar cookies dance onto your plate with delightful charm.

Romantic baking adventures invite passionate home cooks to create edible love letters.

Delicate hearts trimmed in pastel frosting promise pure delight for anyone seeking culinary romance.

Soft, buttery dough whispers gentle promises of affection through each carefully crafted shape.

Decorated with love and precision, these cookies tell stories sweeter than words.

Sugary confections become intimate expressions that connect hearts through delicious creativity.

Each bite promises magical memories waiting to unfold in your kitchen.

Sugar Cookies With Valentine Vibes and Soft Bites

  • Heartwarming Holiday Treat: Perfect for expressing love through homemade baking.
  • Quick and Simple Preparation: Easy recipe that takes less than 2 hours from start to finish, ideal for busy home bakers.
  • Customizable Decorating Experience: Allows personal creativity with icing colors and sprinkle selections, making each cookie unique and special.
  • Family-Friendly Baking Activity: Great project to enjoy together, encouraging bonding and creating sweet memories for Valentine's Day celebration.

Ingredients of Valentines Sugar Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Sweetening and Binding Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie texture.
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, best when softened.
Moisture and Flavor Ingredients:
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Classic cookie flavor, adds depth and warmth.
  • Almond Extract: Optional, provides a subtle nutty note.
Decoration and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable icing.
  • Milk or Heavy Cream: Adjusts icing consistency.
  • Food Coloring: Adds festive Valentine's Day color.
  • Valentine's Themed Sprinkles: Provides decorative and festive touch.
Preparation Extras:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
  • Plastic Wrap: Helps chill and protect the dough.

Baking Sugar Cookies for Valentine’s Day

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Place the mixture to the side and get ready for some cookie magic.

Step 2: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This should take about two minutes of enthusiastic mixing.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Add the following ingredients and mix until everything is beautifully combined:
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • Almond extract

Step 4: Form Soft Cookie Dough

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir until a soft, dreamy dough forms that’s ready for chilling.

Step 5: Chill Cookie Dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Flatten each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.

This helps the cookies maintain their shape.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 7: Shape Lovely Cookies

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface until it’s approximately 1/4-inch thick.

Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to create adorable cookie shapes.

Transfer these to your prepared baking sheets.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Look for edges that are set and just starting to turn golden.

Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 9: Whip Up Romantic Icing

In a bowl, whisk together:
  • Confectioners' sugar
  • Milk or heavy cream
  • Vanilla extract

Adjust the consistency as needed and add food coloring for a festive touch.

Step 10: Decorate With Love

Spread a thin layer of icing on each cookie.

Immediately sprinkle Valentine’s themed decorations before the icing sets.

Allow cookies to dry completely before serving or packaging.

  • Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to reach ideal room temperature for smooth creaming.
  • Chill cookie dough for at least an hour to help cookies maintain their heart shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Sift confectioners' sugar before mixing to eliminate lumps and achieve a silky, professional-looking glaze for your Valentine's cookies.
  • Experiment with different extracts like orange or coconut to add unique twists to the classic sugar cookie recipe.
  • Keep decorated cookies in a single layer between parchment paper in an airtight container to maintain their texture and prevent sprinkles from falling off.

Storing Valentines Sugar Cookies Ideally

  • Store decorated cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days at room temperature. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
  • Wrap undecorated cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
  • Warm refrigerated cookies briefly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds if you prefer a slightly soft texture. Avoid overheating to prevent hardening or cracking the delicate icing.
  • Let frozen or refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their original texture and flavor.

Valentines Sugar Cookies Matches

  • Romantic Beverage Pairing: Uncork a chilled rosé champagne that echoes the sweet, delicate nature of the Valentine's sugar cookies. The bubbly, light pink drink complements the cookies' sugary texture and adds an elegant romantic touch.
  • Dessert Wine Delight: Select a moscato d'asti, a lightly sparkling sweet wine with floral notes that perfectly matches the cookie's vanilla and almond undertones. Its gentle sweetness enhances the cookie's delicate flavor profile.
  • Coffee Companion: Brew a smooth, medium-roast cappuccino with a light dusting of cocoa powder to create a warm contrast to the crisp, sweet cookies. The coffee's rich, creamy texture balances the cookie's sugary sweetness.
  • Playful Milk Option: Pour cold, creamy whole milk to bring out the classic childhood nostalgia of dunking sugar cookies. The milk's coolness provides a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet, decorated treats.

Sugar Cookies with Valentine Decorating Ideas

  • Gluten-Free Romance: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same tender texture while catering to those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Dairy-Free Passion: Swap butter for coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use almond milk instead of dairy milk in the icing for a lactose-free version.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Mix cocoa powder into the cookie dough and create a chocolate royal icing for intense chocolate lovers seeking a rich, decadent treat.
  • Low-Sugar Sweethearts: Use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor for health-conscious bakers.

FAQs

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading while baking?

Chill the dough for at least 1 hour before cutting and baking. Use cold butter and don’t overwork the dough, which helps maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll and cut the cookies.

  • What type of flour works best for these sugar cookies?

All-purpose flour is ideal for this recipe. It provides the right structure and texture for classic sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly.

  • How thin should I roll out the cookie dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures your cookies are sturdy enough to handle decorating but still remain tender and soft when baked.

Print
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Valentines Sugar Cookies Recipe

Valentines Sugar Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet romance meets culinary artistry in Valentine’s sugar cookies, delicate heart-shaped treats that whisper love with each delicate bite. Crisp, buttery edges and smooth royal icing create a dessert perfect for sharing tender moments with someone special.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups (595 milliliters) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Icing Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (120 grams) confectioners sugar
  • 23 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring (pink, red, or white as desired)

Decorative Topping:

  • Valentines themed sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Craft a tender foundation for the sugar cookies by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing vessel. Create a creamy base by thoroughly blending softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture.
  2. Incorporate the egg, vanilla essence, and optional almond extract, ensuring a smooth, uniform integration of liquid ingredients.
  3. Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet components, gently manipulating until a supple dough emerges.
  4. Partition the dough into two equal segments, flattening each into disc-like shapes. Encase each portion in protective plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour to firm the mixture.
  5. Heat the culinary workspace to 350°F, preparing parchment-lined baking sheets for the upcoming confectionery adventure.
  6. Liberate the chilled dough, rolling it across a flour-dusted surface to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Employ heart-shaped cutters to transform the dough into romantic silhouettes.
  7. Transfer the delicate cut-outs onto prepared baking sheets, allowing them to bake for 8-10 minutes until edges achieve a subtle golden hue.
  8. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, preparing them for their decorative transformation.
  9. Craft a luxurious icing by whisking confectioners’ sugar with milk or cream and vanilla extract. Adjust the consistency to achieve a silky, spreadable texture.
  10. Embellish each cookie with a gossamer layer of icing, immediately adorning with festive Valentine’s themed sprinkles before the surface solidifies.
  11. Permit the decorated cookies to dry thoroughly, creating a picture-perfect sweet treat.

Notes

  • Softening butter perfectly requires leaving it at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, ensuring smooth creaming without melting.
  • Chilling dough prevents spreading and helps cookies maintain crisp heart shapes during baking, making edges clean and precise.
  • Using gel food coloring provides more vibrant icing colors without changing liquid consistency, creating professional-looking decorations.
  • Adding almond extract enhances vanilla flavor subtly, creating a more complex and sophisticated cookie taste profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 205
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 45 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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