Valentine’s Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, and what better way to show your affection than with homemade heart-shaped sugar cookies? These soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet cookies are a classic treat that brings warmth and joy to anyone who receives them. Decorated with royal icing, sprinkles, or a simple dusting of sugar, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Whether you’re baking them for a romantic partner, family, friends, or even a Valentine’s Day party, these cookies are sure to impress. The best part? They are easy to make and customizable—you can use different flavors, colors, and decorations to match your personal style.

Follow this step-by-step recipe to make the best Valentine’s Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies, along with baking tips, variations, serving suggestions, and FAQs to help you create the perfect batch!

Ingredients For Sugar Cookies Recipe

The Sugar Cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups (350g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1 tablespoon milk (if needed for dough consistency)

The Royal Icing (Optional for Decorating):

• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 5–6 tablespoons warm water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (pink, red, or white)
• Sprinkles, edible pearls, or sanding sugar for decoration

Preparation: How To Make Sugar Cookies Recipe

 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. If the dough is too crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of milk to bring it together.

 2: Chill the Dough

1. Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten them into discs, and wrap them in plastic wrap.
2. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) to make rolling and cutting easier.

 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
3. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
4. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut out more cookies.

 4: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

 5: Decorate with Royal Icing (Optional)

1. In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla extract, and warm water until smooth.
2. Divide the icing into bowls and mix in food coloring as desired.
3. Transfer the icing to piping bags and decorate your cookies with hearts, polka dots, or intricate designs.
4. Let the icing set for at least 2 hours before stacking or storing.

Variations

• Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Replace ½ cup of flour with ½ cup of cocoa powder for a chocolate twist.
• Glazed Cookies: Instead of royal icing, use a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
• Sprinkle Sugar Cookies: Roll the dough in colored sugar or sprinkles before baking for a fun texture.
• Lemon or Orange Zest: Add zest from one lemon or orange for a citrusy flavor.

Cooking Notes for Sugar Cookies Recipe

• Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Rolling out evenly ensures that the cookies bake at the same rate.
• Don’t overbake! Sugar cookies should be soft in the center when removed from the oven.
• If icing is too thick, add a little more water; if it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar.

Serving Suggestions

• Gift Boxes: Pack the cookies in decorative tins or Valentine’s Day boxes for gifting.
• Dessert Platter: Serve alongside chocolate-covered strawberries or heart-shaped brownies.
• Pairing Ideas: Enjoy with hot cocoa, tea, or coffee for a cozy Valentine’s treat.
• Party Treats: Display on a dessert table for a Valentine’s Day party or school event.

Tips

• Use a rolling pin with guides to ensure uniform cookie thickness.
• Dip the cookie cutter in flour to prevent sticking.
• For perfect icing, use a toothpick to smooth out designs and remove air bubbles.
• Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate it.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 8–10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie, Approximate)

• Calories: 150–180
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fat: 8g

(Nutrition varies based on icing and toppings used.)

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

2. Can I use store-bought icing?

Absolutely! Pre-made icing tubes or gel pens work well for quick decorating.

3. How do I store these cookies?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

4. Can I freeze baked cookies?

Yes! Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw before icing.

5. Can I use different cookie cutters?

Of course! Use any Valentine’s-themed cutters, such as Cupid’s arrow, lips, or teddy bears.

Conclusion

These Valentine’s Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies are the perfect homemade treat to share with loved ones. With their buttery texture, crisp edges, and sweet decoration, they make a beautiful and delicious addition to any Valentine’s Day celebration.

Whether you choose to decorate them with royal icing, sprinkles, or keep them simple, they are guaranteed to spread love and joy. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your heart-shaped cookie cutters, and start baking these adorable Valentine’s treats today! ❤️🍪

Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕

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