Nothing says “I love you” like a batch of Valentine’s Sugar Cookies — buttery heart-shaped cookies topped with smooth icing and festive sprinkles. These cookies are soft, tender, and full of homemade sweetness, perfect for sharing with family, friends, or that special someone.
The first time I made these cookies, my kitchen turned into a pink and white wonderland. The smell of butter and vanilla filled the air, and my kids had the best time decorating each heart with frosting and sprinkles. Now, it’s a Valentine’s tradition in our house, right alongside my Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow and Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies.
Valentine’s Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl for about 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Mix in egg and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the butter mixture until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap each in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cutters to cut out cookies and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely before decorating.
- In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and extract until smooth. Tint with food coloring. Decorate cooled cookies and top with sprinkles.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Why You’ll Love Valentine’s Sugar Cookies
These cookies are soft on the inside, slightly crisp on the edges, and perfect for decorating. They hold their shape beautifully — no spreading or warping in the oven — and the icing hardens just enough for stacking or gifting.
If you love fun, festive desserts like my Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies or Garten’s Cranberry Orange Bread, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon light corn syrup (for shine)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring (pink, red, or white)
- Sprinkles for decoration
If you love classic holiday bakes, you’ll also adore my Chewy Brownie Cookies — soft, rich, and just as easy to make.
How to Make Valentine’s Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl for about 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in egg and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the butter mixture until a dough forms.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half, wrap each in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Step 5: Roll and Cut
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies and place them on lined baking sheets.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely before decorating.
Step 7: Decorate with Love
In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and extract until smooth. Divide and tint with food coloring. Use a piping bag or spoon to decorate, and finish with sprinkles.
If you love festive cookies, these are as easy to make and decorate as my Nutella-Stuffed Cookies.
Tips for Perfect Valentine’s Sugar Cookies
- Chill your dough: It keeps the cookies from spreading.
- Don’t overbake: Remove them when edges are pale golden for soft centers.
- Use corn syrup in icing: It makes the glaze shiny and smooth.
- Decorate once cool: Warm cookies will melt your icing.
These same smart baking habits make my Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes turn out perfect every time — little details matter.
How to Store and Gift
Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze un-iced cookies up to 3 months; thaw before decorating.
Gifting: Wrap individually or pack in tins with parchment between layers.
Like my Christmas Bread Recipe, these make wonderful edible gifts that feel homemade and heartfelt.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Swap ½ cup of flour for cocoa powder.
- Almond Kiss Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract and top with chocolate.
- Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the dough.
- Strawberry Icing: Stir in a bit of freeze-dried strawberry powder for color and flavor.
If you love customizable recipes, these cookies are as versatile as my Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use salted butter?
Yes, just reduce or omit the added salt.
2. Can I make these without chilling the dough?
You can, but the cookies might spread slightly — chilling is best for clean shapes.
3. How do I make the icing thicker or thinner?
Add more powdered sugar to thicken or a few drops of milk to thin.
4. Can I freeze decorated cookies?
Yes — freeze in single layers with parchment between them to protect the icing.
The Final Bite
These Valentine’s Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and beautifully festive. Whether you decorate them with simple icing or go all out with pink hearts and sprinkles, they’re guaranteed to spread smiles (and a little sugar love).
Serve them with milk or pair them with my Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe for the coziest Valentine’s treat ever.