Description
These Easy Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and bursting with sweetness. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a batch of heart-shaped cookies perfect for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Decorate them with colorful sprinkles, frosting, or keep them simple – either way, they’re a treat everyone will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional, for a softer dough)
- Red, pink, or sprinkles (for decoration)
- Royal icing or buttercream (optional, for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. If the dough is too crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk to help bring it together.
- Roll the dough into a ball and flatten it slightly. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill (this helps with cutting out the shapes).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters (or any shape you like) to cut out the cookies.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. Be careful not to overbake them—they should stay soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with royal icing, buttercream frosting, or sprinkles for a fun, festive look!
Notes
- If you want to add a little color to the cookies, you can mix a few drops of food coloring into the dough before chilling it.
- These cookies are also perfect for making ahead of time! Once baked and decorated, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute dairy-free butter and egg replacer for the butter and egg.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies, Valentine’s Day Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies, Heart-Shaped Cookies, Soft Sugar Cookies, Sugar Cookie Recipe, Easy Sugar Cookies, Valentine’s Day Desserts, Cookie Decorating