Valentine’s Cookies are a sweet way share some love!
An easy no-fail sugar cookie is cut into shapes and decorated with a simple frosting that’ll make you look like a pro!
Everyone loves a gift from the heart, and this recipe is a fun and easy way to spread some Valentine’s Day cheer!
Valentine’s Day Cookies
- These Valentine’s Day cookies start with the perfect sugar cookie recipe with a buttery vanilla flavor.
- The dough is so easy to work with and can be cut a heart-shaped cookie or any shape cutter you’d like.
- Simply bake, cool, and decorate. PRO TIP: Bake cookies in the morning and decorate them in the afternoon after they are completely cooled.
- Kids love to help decorate Valentine’s Day cookies! Set out icing and sprinkles and let them create and share their treats as Valentine’s day gifts.
Ingredients for Valentine’s Cookies
Cookie Dough – This is a basic sugar cookie dough made with flour, butter, sugar, and egg. We use vanilla as the flavoring (I prefer clear vanilla in this recipe). Swap the vanilla for another extract to change the flavor (almond extract is another favorite!).
Decorations – The cutest cookies are made with red and pink heart-shaped candies or sprinkles. We use this sugar cookie icing recipe but add your favorite frosting and Valentine’s sprinkles or even edible silver or gold glitter.
How to Make Valentine’s Cookies
It’s super fun and easy to make this extra-special recipe!
- Mix butter & sugar, add egg & vanilla.
- Incorporate dry ingredients until fully mixed. Refrigerate per recipe below.
- Roll out dough & cut it into shapes. Bake until lightly browned on the edges.
- Cool completely before decorating.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature.
- Be sure to beat the butter for the full time listed in the recipe.
- If the dough seems powdery, continue mixing at medium-high speed. The dough will come together.
- Chill the dough to keep it from spreading and then let it sit at room temperature while prepping the baking pans.
- Use an ungreased cookie sheet and skip the parchment paper or silicone baking mat, this helps the cookies hold their shape better.
- Use two different cookie sheets so you’re not using a warm one with cold dough.
- These sugar cookies can be made for any occasion. Just switch up the shapes and colors to make cookies for Easter, Halloween, or Christmas!
How to Make Cookie Pops
- Prepare cookie dough as directed above.
- Once rolled and cut, place a lollipop stick into the center of each cookie. (The lollipop stick will bake into the cookie, so make sure to use paper, not plastic.)
- Bake cookies according to recipe directions below and cool completely and decorate.
Storing Valentine’s Day Cookies
Keep cookies in a covered container for up to 4 days. Freeze cookies in zippered bags for up to 4 weeks. Or you can freeze the dough and make it into cookies later!
Valentine Favorites
Did you make these Valentine’s Day Cookies? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Valentine’s Day Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine dry ingredients and set aside.
- With a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), combine butter and sugar until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until well combined and smooth.
- Add flour mixture a little bit at a time with the mixer on low until mixed and the flour is incorporated. Continue mixing until the dough holds together, about 5 minutes. (If the dough seems floury or powdery, it need to continue to mix together).
- Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disk. Wrap with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. While the oven is preheating, remove the dough from the fridge.
- Sprinkle the worksurface with a bit of powdered sugar or flour so the dough doesn't stick. Roll dough to ¼" thickness and cut into desired shapes.
- Place cookies 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown on the edges.
- Cool completely before decorating with icing.
Notes
- Choose clear vanilla or try almond extract for a twist!
- Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature.
- Beat butter for the full time; if the dough seems powdery, keep mixing.
- Refrigerate as directed. Let dough reach room temperature before baking.
- Use an ungreased sheet for well-shaped cookies.
- Get creative with shapes and colors for any occasion!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
cinco estrellas! we like them much! bii.
HI THERE I TENGO 8 ANOS AND THESE VALEMNTNEE COOKIES WERE DELICIOUS FOR ME OUT MOMMY AND DADDY COOKED THEM UP WUTH A SURPRISE AND VERY YUMME COOKIES GTHANK YOU
These cookies came out perfect.
Admittedly, the negative review made me hesitate to use this recipe, because I *must* finish these cookies within the next few hours, but I’m so glad I made these.
Rather than using flour or powdered sugar to roll them out, I sandwiched them between parchment paper and left them in the fridge overnight before baking. They are soft and have that amazing melt in your mouth texture. They didn’t spread at all and it’s super easy to modify the flavor (mine are Sakura flavored :D). Very delicious and hard to put down, I unintentionally ate 4 of them while waiting for them all to bake… oops
They’re a favorite of ours too Nico!
How about a recipe for the valentine cookies? They are so pretty.
The recipe is included in this post, you can use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.
I usually don’t leave bad comments but I had to for this recipe. Dough is very hard to work with and I decided to use powdered sugar instead of flour, big mistake they stuck to the pan. Always use flour to roll dough and use parchment paper. I’ve been baking cutouts for over 50 years and this recipe is not a keeper.
I am sorry to hear that, Debby! I make these cookies all the time and have never had that issue. It is a bit tough to roll out after sitting in the fridge for awhile. So I like to leave it about 15 minutes on the counter for the butter to warm a little and make it easier to roll out.
OOOMMMGGG dis is perfect for my valentines party thanks so so much!!!
So happy to hear that, Vivian!
These are so cute and easy to make!!!!!!!!
What a fun and easy cookie pop…genius! I’m hosting a loving valentine’s day party and I’d love for you to stop by. http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2013/02/loving-valentines-day-party-link-up.html
Have a great day!
Marilyn