Don’t you just love an excuse to bake cookies? I seriously make some for every holiday and special occasion because they are a crowd pleaser, and they travel really well. I also don’t know anyone who doesn’t like ANY kind of cookie, so they really are the best dessert to bring with you. If you love cookies, then you are going to have to try these super easy and delicious No-Bake Cookies, these show stopping Meringue Cookies, and these flavorful White Chocolate Oreo Cookies.
Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies
I’m pretty sure we all grew up with those chalky little heart Valentine’s Day candies right?! They were kind of flavorless, yet everyone always had them at the holiday because they have cute little messages on them. Well, get ready to fall in love with these cookies. They are actually delicious (so people will be so excited to eat them) and they can have personalized and adorable messages on them! They are seriously the ultimate Valentine’s day treat! If you really want to spoil your special someone, you can make these cookies along with some cheesecake stuffed strawberries and these really easy to make red velvet brownies. If you are not confident in your piping skills and think this recipe might end in disaster, don’t worry! This is the perfect sugar cookie recipe that is still shaped like a heart and will win over your Valentine. It’s really the thought that counts right? That’s why I love these thoughtful cookies that you can write your thoughts onto!
Ingredients
There are two different groups of ingredients, one for the Valentine’s day sugar cookies and the other is for the icing. If you have never made royal icing before, I share all my tips in the recipe and some extras in the tip box! You will also need a heart-shaped cookie cutter, I like these ones. You can use a ziploc bag for the pastry bag if you need to, but I would recommend a piping tip. I talk more about that in the tip box below. You can find exact measurements below in the recipe card.
Sugar Cookie Ingredients
Flour: I used all purpose flour for this recipe.Salt: A little salt helps to balance the sweet flavors.Baking Powder: This helps the cookies rise.Butter: If your ingredients are at room temperature then they will mix together more smoothly. Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar will make this recipe sweet.Egg Yolks: This makes the cookie bind together really well and gives it the perfect texture.Sour Cream: It’s amazing! A little sour flavor really makes this cookie taste incredible, and not too sweet. Vanilla Extract: This will enhance the flavors of the sweet ingredients.Lemon Extract: This adds a fresh and bright flavor that you are going to love! You could add fresh lemon juice and zest instead.
Royal Icing
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves really smoothly and makes the frosting taste delicious and sweet.Meringue Powder: This will help the frosting set up to the right stiffness. You can use gelatin or cream of tartar instead, they all do the same thing. However, you will need to use a different amount, so make sure to look up the conversion before substituting.Water: Room temperature is best to help all of the ingredients combine.Gel Food Coloring: You get to choose! I like to use pastel colors, so I don’t add as much coloring. The gel works best because it doesn’t change the consistency of the frosting. Don’t use too much coloring or it will make your frosting taste bitter.
Valentine’s Day Cookies Recipe
Get ready for your new Valentine’s Day cookie tradition! This seriously is one of my new favorite things. Everyone fell in love with the cookies right away because they not only look adorable and really thoughtful, they are also super delicious! This just might be the best sugar cookie recipe I’ve made! There is nothing tricky to this recipe, it’s going to turn out great!
Make the Sugar Cookie
Make the Royal Icing
Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating
Piping Tip: For these cookies you can either use a very small piping tip, a #1, #1.5, or #2, or you can use a piping bag with the very end snipped off. If you use just a piping bag, snip the very tiniest amount off and test by squeezing a little icing out. If it’s not big enough, cut another tiny bit off the bag until you get the right size. It should be small enough to make a clean line and not curl around the tip of the bag, but not wide enough to pool out of the bag on its own. It’s always best to start very small and work up instead of cutting big and having to get another bag.How to Pipe: Avoid piping right on the edge of the cookie. Once you fill the center with icing, if the outline is piped too close to the edge, the icing can spill over the side of the cookie. If you have never watched anyone ice a cookie with royal icing, now is the time to hop on Youtube for some really helpful tips!
Don’t Overbake: Don’t over bake the cookies. They should have minimal coloring on the bottom and the tops will be just barely matte. Flavor the Icing: Add what flavoring you would like to the icing, just be aware that if the flavoring has any color it will change the color of it. Keep Icing From Drying Out: Royal icing likes to start drying and forms a crust very quickly. When you are not using a bowl or piping bag, use damp paper towels and plastic wrap to cover them. Wrap bowls in plastic wrap between use and cover the tips of piping bags with a damp paper towel to prevent them from crusting over between using different colors. Let Icing Fully dry: Let the iced cookies sit out overnight to allow the icing to fully set before serving them. Don’t cover them with plastic wrap or place them in a covered container, otherwise the icing will take much longer to set. The icing prevents the cookie from drying out.
On the Counter: Once the icing is completely dry the cookies can be stacked and stored in an airtight container for up to 7 days.In the Freezer: Unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw completely before icing. Storing Icing: Leftover icing can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Mix well before using.
Sweetheart Valentine’s Buddies
15 mins
Strawberry Brownies
35 mins
Red Velvet Cheesecake
4 hrs
Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies (3 ingredients!)
30 mins
