Valentine cookies are the perfect way to share love and sweetness on Valentine’s Day. These soft, buttery cookies are decorated with vibrant pinks, reds, and whites, making them a festive and delicious treat for your special someone, friends, or family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and fun: Perfectly themed for Valentine’s Day celebrations.
- Customizable: Use your favorite cookie flavors and decorations.
- Easy to make: A simple recipe for bakers of all skill levels.
- Versatile: Ideal for gifting, sharing, or enjoying at home.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract (or almond extract for extra flavor)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Optional: Food coloring, sprinkles, or royal icing for decorating
Directions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the wet ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Shape and bake: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and decorate: Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with royal icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: About 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Variations
- Chocolate Valentine Cookies: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist.
- Pink and Red Swirl Cookies: Divide the dough and color each portion with food coloring. Swirl the colors together for a marbled effect.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
- Sparkly Finish: Sprinkle coarse sparkling sugar over the cookies before baking for a festive look.
- Filled Cookies: Add a dollop of jam between two cookies for a sweet sandwich-style treat.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the undecorated cookies or dough for up to 2 months. Thaw before baking or decorating.
- Reheating: Cookies don’t need reheating but can be refreshed in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes if desired.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Can I use pre-made frosting?
Absolutely! Store-bought frosting is a quick and easy option for decorating.
How do I get a smooth finish with royal icing?
Use flood icing (thinned royal icing) to cover the surface, then use a toothpick to pop any air bubbles.
Can I color the cookie dough itself?
Yes, knead in food coloring before chilling the dough for a vibrant cookie base.
What’s the best way to package these cookies for gifts?
Arrange the cookies in a decorative box or bag, and separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
Can I use this recipe for other occasions?
Yes, swap the heart shapes and Valentine colors for themes like Christmas, Easter, or birthdays.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt to avoid oversalting.
How do I ensure the cookies hold their shape?
Chilling the dough before cutting and baking helps the cookies keep their sharp edges.
Are these cookies soft or crispy?
These cookies are soft with slightly crisp edges. Adjust the bake time for softer or crispier results.
Can I add flavorings like lemon or almond extract?
Yes, substitute or combine vanilla with other extracts for a unique flavor profile.
Conclusion
Valentine cookies are a delightful way to spread love and joy through homemade treats. With their festive decorations and buttery flavor, these cookies are perfect for celebrating the holiday with those you care about. Bake a batch today and make your Valentine’s Day extra sweet!
Print
Valentine Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Valentine’s Day Cookies are soft, buttery sugar cookies decorated with festive pink, red, and white icing. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, these cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful. Simple to make, they’re ideal for celebrations or as a sweet gift.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (red and pink)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Roll and cut: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Icing:
7. Prepare the icing: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk (for a thinner icing) or powdered sugar (for thicker icing).
8. Color and decorate: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring to create desired shades of pink and red. Spread or pipe icing onto cooled cookies. Add sprinkles for extra decoration.
9. Set the icing: Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature for 1–2 hours to let the icing harden.
Notes
- For more vibrant icing colors, use gel food coloring instead of liquid.
- Refrigerate the dough for 15–20 minutes if it becomes too soft to roll.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.