Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Valentine heart cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly crisp around the edges, with a smooth pink glaze and festive sprinkles. They’re easy to make and don’t require chilling, making them ideal for Valentine’s Day, parties, or a sweet homemade treat that looks bakery-worthy.
Ingredients for Valentine Cookies recipe
This recipe (1X) yields 18–20 cookies
- For the cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- For the pink glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (plus more as needed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pink food coloring (a few drops)
- For decorating
- pink, red & white sprinkles
Instructions for Valentine Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ½-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain pale. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring until smooth and spreadable.
Step 6: Decorate
Spread the glaze over each cooled cookie and immediately sprinkle with pink, red, and white sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set for about 15 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra softness, avoid overbaking—these cookies should stay pale on top.
- Swap pink glaze for white or red for different Valentine themes.
- Add a hint of almond extract to the glaze for a bakery-style flavor twist.
Storage
Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. They also freeze well without glaze.
Nutrition Details
Nutrition (Per Cookie)
Valentine Cookies Recipe FAQ
Valentine Heart Cookies: Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for soft, buttery cookies and a smooth pink glaze that sets beautifully.
Why did my cookies spread and lose their heart shape? +
How do I keep the cookies soft (not dry)? +
Can I make the dough ahead of time? +
How do I get a smooth pink glaze that sets (not runny)? +
Can I freeze decorated cookies? +
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