Valentine sugar cookies are the perfect way to say “I love you” — soft in the center, crisp at the edges, and decorated with creamy frosting or royal icing. Whether you’re baking for your sweetheart, your kids’ classroom party, or a festive Galentine’s get-together, these heart-shaped treats are a celebration of love and sugar. This easy sugar cookie recipe holds its shape beautifully when baked and tastes as good as it looks.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Valentine Sugar Cookies
- ❤️ Perfect for Cut-Outs: Holds crisp edges with no spreading
- 💕 Soft & Buttery Texture: Tender in the center, never dry
- 🎨 Great for Decorating: Works with frosting, sprinkles, or royal icing
- 📦 Gift-Ready: Makes a beautiful edible Valentine’s Day treat
- 🧁 Make-Ahead Friendly: Dough freezes well and decorates beautifully when chilled
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Frosting (Optional):
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pink or red food coloring
- Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Dough
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix well. - Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until a dough forms. - Chill
Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days). - Roll & Cut
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thick. Cut into heart shapes or desired Valentine-themed shapes. - Bake
Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just barely golden. Cool completely before decorating. - Make the Frosting
In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Tint with food coloring and decorate cooled cookies.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: ~24 cookies
- Estimated Cost: $5–7
Nutrition Facts (per cookie, no frosting)
- Calories: ~120
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 15g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 1g
Tips & Variations
🧊 Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly:
- Freeze unbaked dough discs for up to 3 months
- Baked cookies (undecorated) freeze well too
🍫 Flavor Swaps:
- Add 1 tsp cocoa powder for a chocolate sugar cookie twist
- Swap almond extract with lemon or orange zest for a citrus flair
🎁 Gift Ideas:
- Stack in cellophane bags with ribbon for Valentine’s gifts
- Write names or sweet notes using edible markers or royal icing
🎨 Decorating Options:
- Pipe borders and flood with royal icing for a professional look
- Use soft frosting + Valentine sprinkles for a kid-friendly activity
FAQs
Can I skip the chilling step?
Not recommended. Chilling helps prevent spreading and improves flavor.
Do these cookies puff up a lot?
No — with just a touch of baking powder, they hold shape very well.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and chill the dough well.
How long do decorated cookies last?
Up to 5 days at room temp or 7 days in the fridge. Keep in an airtight container.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — it scales well for big batches.
Valentine Sugar Cookies (Soft & Sweet)
Equipment
- – Mixing bowls
- Rolling Pin
- – Cookie cutters
- – Baking sheets
- – Parchment paper
Ingredients
- **Cookies:**
- – 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- – 1 cup granulated sugar
- – 1 egg
- – 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- – ½ tsp almond extract
- – 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- – ½ tsp baking powder
- – ¼ tsp salt
- **Frosting:**
- – 2 cups powdered sugar
- – 2–3 tbsp milk
- – 1 tsp vanilla extract
- – Food coloring
- – Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and extracts.
- Mix dry ingredients separately, then combine with wet.
- Divide dough, chill 1 hour.
- Roll to ¼”, cut into shapes.
- Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes. Cool completely.
- Mix frosting, color, and decorate.
Notes
– Add citrus zest or cocoa powder for flavor variations
– Store decorated cookies in airtight container up to 5 days
Conclusion
Valentine sugar cookies are more than just adorable — they’re soft, buttery, and irresistibly sweet. Whether you’re baking for love, friendship, or just for fun, these cookies are a simple way to spread a little joy. With endless decorating options and a reliable, no-fuss dough, they’re a staple for every February celebration.