Description
These soft and buttery Valentine’s Day sugar cookies are perfect for celebrating the season of love. With a sweet, delicate flavor and a fun, festive heart-shaped design, they’re a treat everyone will adore. Decorate them with royal icing or sprinkles for a personalized touch!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp milk (if needed for dough consistency)
- Colored sprinkles, sanding sugar, or royal icing for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. If the dough is too sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk until the dough holds together.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to make rolling easier.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter (or your favorite shape) to cut out cookies.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or sanding sugar once the cookies are fully cooled.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can use different extracts such as lemon or orange instead of almond.
- Make sure the dough is chilled enough to roll out easily—if it’s too soft, it will be hard to cut.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (excluding chill time)
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Valentine’s Day cookies, sugar cookies, heart-shaped cookies, decorated cookies, sugar cookies recipe, Valentine’s treats, holiday cookies