Soft & Buttery Heart Sugar Cookies

Nothing says “I love you” like homemade Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies! These classic cookies are soft, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re making them for a romantic treat, a fun activity with kids, or gifting them to friends and family, these cookies will make hearts melt!

With a simple, foolproof sugar cookie dough and the option to decorate with royal icing, buttercream, or sprinkles, these cookies are both fun to make and absolutely delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Soft & Buttery – The perfect sugar cookie texture!✔ Easy to Make & Decorate – Fun for all skill levels.✔ Holds Its Shape – No spreading, so your heart cookies stay picture-perfect.✔ Perfect for Gifting – Wrap them up in a cute box or bag for the ultimate homemade Valentine’s gift.

The Recipe: Valentine’s Heart Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds amazing flavor!)

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Icing (Optional):

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Food coloring (pink, red, or any Valentine’s colors!)

• Sprinkles for decorating

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

📌 Pro Tip: If the dough feels sticky, chill it for 20–30 minutes before rolling it out.

2. Roll & Cut the Cookies

1. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.

2. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your cookies.

3. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each.

3. Bake the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.

3. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

📌 Pro Tip: Don’t overbake! The cookies will continue to set as they cool, keeping them soft and tender.

4. Decorate the Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate!

For a Simple Icing Glaze:

1. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

2. Add food coloring to create soft pink, vibrant red, or any Valentine’s shades.

3. Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle icing over cookies.

For Buttercream Frosting (Extra Soft & Fluffy!):

1. Beat ½ cup softened butter with 2 cups powdered sugar and 1–2 tablespoons milk until light and creamy.

2. Pipe or spread onto cookies and top with sprinkles.

Fun Decorating Ideas 🎨💕

💖 Marbled Icing – Swirl different colors together for a watercolor effect.💖 Sprinkle Magic – Use red, pink, and white sprinkles for an easy festive touch.💖 Lettering & Designs – Pipe cute messages like "Be Mine" or "XOXO."💖 Dipped Edges – Dip half of the cookie in melted white or dark chocolate for a fancy finish.

How to Store & Gift These Cookies

💌 Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.💌 Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Simply thaw before decorating.💌 Gifting: Package cookies in a decorative box, tie with ribbon, and include a sweet handwritten note!

Why These Are the Perfect Valentine’s Cookies

These Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies are the ultimate homemade Valentine’s treat! They’re soft, buttery, and fun to decorate, making them perfect for:

✔ Date Night Baking – Make these with your special someone for a fun Valentine’s activity.✔ Kids & Family Fun – Let kids cut out shapes and decorate their own cookies.✔ Homemade Gifts – Nothing beats a homemade, heartfelt treat!

If you make these cookies, I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram @Weeknight_Homemaker and share your sweet Valentine’s bakes.

Happy baking & Happy Valentine’s Day!

Lauren 💕

The Weeknight Homemaker