Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these delightful sugar cookies, perfectly soft and flavored with hints of vanilla and almond. Whether you frost them with a classic buttercream or glaze them with a shiny, sprinkle-topped finish, these cookies are sure to sweeten your holiday.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup butter (salted, cold & cut into chunks, 2 sticks)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 cup butter (softened, 1 stick) for frosting
• 4 cups powdered sugar for frosting
• 1 tsp vanilla extract for frosting
• 2 tbsp milk (or more as needed) for frosting
• 2 cups powdered sugar for glaze
• 3 tbsp milk for glaze
• 1/2 tsp vanilla for glaze
• 1-2 drops liquid red food coloring for glaze
• Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350° F.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder and set aside. In a separate large bowl, cream the cold butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until combined.
3. Step 3: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough out onto a floured surface until just over 1/4 inch thick. Use heart-shaped or X and O cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
5. Step 5: Freeze the cut cookies for 5 to 7 minutes, then bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
6. Step 6: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Step 7: For buttercream frosting: Combine softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl or stand mixer bowl.
8. Step 8: Mix the butter into the sugar on low speed, then slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time while mixing until creamy and spreadable. Add up to 3 tablespoons of milk as needed.
9. Step 9: Once the frosting is smooth and holds its shape but is easy to spread, it’s ready to use.
10. Step 10: For glaze: In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and red food coloring until smooth and pourable.
11. Step 11: Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, then place on a wire rack to allow excess glaze to drip off.
12. Step 12: Immediately sprinkle with Valentine’s themed sprinkles and let dry for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Chilling the dough before cutting helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
• For a different flavor twist, try swapping almond extract for lemon extract.
• If you prefer a simple finish, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar instead of frosting or glaze.
• Add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to the buttercream for a festive touch.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If frosted or glazed, allow the decoration to fully set before stacking to prevent sticking. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies (unfrosted) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, bring to room temperature before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted or unsalted butter?

This recipe uses salted butter for the dough to add flavor, but if you only have unsalted butter, you can use it and add a pinch of salt to the dough.

How do I know if the cookies are done baking?

The edges should be lightly golden while the centers remain slightly soft. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender and chewy.

Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 133 reviews

This Valentine Sugar Cookie Recipe features tender, buttery heart-shaped cookies topped with a choice of creamy buttercream frosting or smooth, vibrant glaze, perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day with a homemade touch.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup butter (salted, cold & cut into chunks, 2 sticks)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract

Buttercream Frosting (Optional)

• 1/2 cup butter (softened, 1 stick)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk (or more as needed)

Glaze (Optional)

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 drops liquid red food coloring
• Sprinkles (Valentine’s Day themed)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and baking powder; set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream the cold, chunked butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract thoroughly.
4. Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until a smooth dough forms.
5. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out to just over 1/4 inch thickness. Use heart-shaped and/or X and O cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Freeze Before Baking: Freeze the cut cookies for 5 to 7 minutes to help retain shape during baking.
7. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
8. Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare Buttercream Frosting (Optional): In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a mixer, blend the ingredients together. Slowly add milk tablespoon by tablespoon, mixing until the frosting is creamy and spreadable but holds its shape.
10. Prepare Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth and runny.
11. Decorate Cookies with Buttercream (Optional): Once the cookies are cool, spread the prepared buttercream frosting on top using a knife or spatula.
12. Decorate Cookies with Glaze (Optional): Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, place back on the cooling rack to allow excess glaze to drip off. Immediately add Valentine-themed sprinkles before the glaze dries. Let glaze dry for 1 to 2 hours.

Notes

• Freezing the cut dough before baking helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading.
• Buttercream frosting should be smooth and easily spreadable; add milk slowly to adjust consistency.
• The glaze dries to a shiny finish and works well for dipping; be sure to decorate with sprinkles immediately.
• Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature.
• This recipe can be easily adapted for other holiday themes by changing extracts, food coloring, and decorations.

Keywords: Valentine Sugar Cookies, heart-shaped cookies, sugar cookie recipe, buttercream frosting, glaze, Valentine’s Day treats, holiday cookies