There’s no better way to say “I love you” than with a batch of homemade Valentine’s Day Cookies. These cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with pink and red candies, white chocolate, and heart-shaped sprinkles. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for sharing with everyone you love.
The first time I baked these cookies, my kids and I were making Valentine’s goodie bags for school. We added pink M&Ms, heart sprinkles, and little notes inside each bag — the kitchen smelled like vanilla and sugar, and we ended up eating half the batch before they made it to the bags. Now, they’ve become our February tradition — right up there with Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies and Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow.
Valentine’s Day Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together in a large bowl for 2–3 minutes until creamy.
- Mix in egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Add almond extract if using.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix into the wet ingredients until dough forms.
- Fold in M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and heart sprinkles.
- Scoop 1½-tablespoon portions onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Press a few extra M&Ms or sprinkles on top while they’re still warm.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Why You’ll Love Valentine’s Day Cookies
These cookies are as delicious as they are adorable. They’re soft-baked with crisp edges, melt-in-your-mouth centers, and a mix of chocolate and festive toppings. They’re great for school parties, date nights, or just a sweet treat at home.
If you love cookies that feel special but are simple to make, try them alongside my Pistachio Chocolate Bar Cookies or Nutella-Stuffed Cookies — they all share that bakery-level flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cookies:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup pink and red M&Ms
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heart sprinkles
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ teaspoon almond extract for a bakery aroma
- ½ cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries for color
If you love festive bakes, you’ll also enjoy my Garten’s Cranberry Orange Bread — another sweet and colorful treat perfect for special occasions.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together in a large bowl for 2–3 minutes until creamy.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Add almond extract if using.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix into the wet ingredients until dough forms.
Step 5: Add the Love
Fold in M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and heart sprinkles.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop 1½-tablespoon portions onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Step 7: Cool and Decorate
Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Press a few extra M&Ms or sprinkles on top while they’re still warm for a picture-perfect finish.
These are as simple and foolproof as my Chewy Brownie Cookies — just a little more festive!
Tips for Perfect Valentine’s Day Cookies
- Chill the dough: If the kitchen is warm, chill for 15 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Helps the dough blend evenly.
- Top after baking: Adding candies right after baking keeps the tops colorful and intact.
- Don’t overbake: Take them out when the centers look soft — they’ll firm as they cool.
These small tricks are the same ones that make my Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole perfectly creamy every time — small steps, big difference.
How to Store and Freeze
Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezing Dough: Scoop dough balls onto a tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Cool completely before freezing in layers with parchment paper between them.
They freeze just as beautifully as my Christmas Bread Recipe — perfect for make-ahead holiday treats.
Flavor Variations
- Double Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder for chocolate dough.
- Strawberry White Chocolate: Mix in crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
- Red Velvet: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and a few drops of red food coloring.
- Classic Sugar Cookies: Skip the chocolate chips and decorate with frosting instead.
If you love recipes that you can make your own, this one’s as flexible as my Creamy Parmesan Pasta Soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use mini M&Ms instead of regular?
Yes — they’re great for smaller cookies or bite-sized batches.
2. Can I make these into heart shapes?
Absolutely! Chill the dough, roll it out, and use a heart cookie cutter.
3. Can I use candy melts instead of white chocolate?
Yes — just melt and drizzle them on top after baking.
4. How do I make them chewy instead of crisp?
Bake them just until set — underbaking by a minute or two gives that soft center.
The Final Bite
These Valentine’s Day Cookies are everything the holiday should be — sweet, colorful, and made with love. With buttery dough, melty chocolate, and festive candy pieces, they’re the kind of cookies that make everyone smile.
Serve them with a mug of my Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe for the coziest Valentine’s treat or pack them in gift bags for family and friends. One bite, and you’ll feel the love!