A sweet, simple cookie to make for someone you love.
introduction
These Valentine’s Day Cookies are soft, sweet, and classic. They have a butter cookie base with smooth royal icing on top. The cookies hold shape well. They are easy to cut into hearts and decorate for the holiday. If you like soft spice or soft holiday cookies, you might also enjoy this soft gingerbread cookie recipe for another warm flavor that pairs well with this project.
This section gives a short view of the cookie and what to expect. The dough is simple to make. The royal icing takes a bit of time but it is not hard. You can color the icing soft pastels or bright reds and write short messages. Make these cookies with kids or friends. They work well for parties, gifts, or a quiet baking day at home.
Why You’ll Love This Valentine’s Day Cookies
You will love these cookies because the texture is light and not too sweet. The cookie holds edges that let your icing look neat. The dough is soft so you can roll it thin and cut clear heart shapes. The royal icing dries smooth and gives a pretty finish. The recipe makes a good number of cookies so you can share them.
You will also like that the cookie dough can be chilled and stored for a day before baking. That gives you flexibility. Decorating is fun and not rushed. The recipe uses common pantry ingredients. You do not need special equipment other than a rolling pin and a heart cookie cutter.
Why Make This Recipe
Make this recipe because it is a simple way to make a special gift. The steps are clear and easy to follow. The cookies are great for showing care without much fuss. You can make them plain or decorate them with messages like "Love" or "Be Mine."
This recipe works well for beginners. The royal icing recipe here is forgiving. You can thin or thicken it a bit as needed. If you want a clean, polished cookie, this recipe gives you that look without hard work.
What You Need for Valentine’s Day Cookies
You need basic kitchen tools and some simple supplies:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Stand mixer or hand mixer with paddle and whisk attachments
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Heart cookie cutter (about 3.5-inch works well)
- Baking sheets
- Wire rack to cool cookies
- Disposable or reusable piping bags and round tips (#4 for flooding, #2 for writing)
- Gel food coloring kit or gel food colors for tinting royal icing
- Meringue powder for royal icing
These items help the process go smoothly. A stand mixer saves time but a hand mixer works fine. A silicone mat or parchment keeps the dough from sticking. If you do not have a heart cutter, you can use any small shape or even a glass rim.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Cookies
Follow these steps in order. Read them all before you start. Prepare all your ingredients and tools first.
- Whisk the dry mix. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar. In a large bowl with a mixer and paddle attachment, beat 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened, and 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar on high until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add egg and extracts. Add 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, and 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional). Beat on high for about 1 minute. Scrape the bowl as needed.
- Mix in dry ingredients. Add the flour mix and mix on low until combined. The dough will be soft. If it feels too sticky for rolling, add 1 more Tablespoon of flour.
- Divide and roll. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Place each portion on lightly floured parchment or a silicone mat. Roll to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- Stack and chill. Lightly dust one rolled dough with flour. Place parchment over it. Stack the second rolled dough on top. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
- Cut and bake. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets. Remove the top dough piece and cut hearts with a cookie cutter (3.5-inch shown). Re-roll scraps and keep cutting. Arrange cookies 3 inches apart. Bake 11–12 minutes until lightly browned at edges. Cool 5 minutes on the sheet, then move to a wire rack to cool fully.
- Make the royal icing. Combine 4 cups (480g) sifted confectioners’ sugar, 3 Tablespoons meringue powder, and 9 Tablespoons room-temperature water in a large bowl. Beat on high 1.5–2 minutes. The icing should drizzle down and smooth in 5–10 seconds. Add water 1 Tbsp at a time if too thick. Yields about 3 cups.
- Color and fill. Separate icing into 6 bowls (or fewer for fewer colors). Add small drops of gel coloring: pink, violet, green, yellow, orange, and use red for writing (2–3 drops). Keep the red icing covered with a damp towel until ready. Use round tip #4 to pipe borders and flood the cookies. Let set at least 2 hours before writing.
- Write messages. Use red icing in a bag with tip #2 to write short messages. Let writing set 2–3 hours.
- Store. Decorated or plain cookies stay fresh at room temperature covered for 5 days or in the fridge up to 10 days.
These steps give clear action in simple language. Take your time with icing. If you thin icing, do it slowly. Too much water makes it run.
Ingredients:
- 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but makes the flavor outstanding)*
- 4 cups (480g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted (I use and recommend Domino brand)
- 3 Tablespoons meringue powder (not plain egg white powder)
- 9–10 Tablespoons room-temperature water
- gel food coloring kit for tinting (or any gel food coloring)
Best Ways to Serve Valentine’s Day Cookies
Serve these cookies at room temperature. Place them on a pretty plate or in a gift box with tissue paper. For a party, arrange cookies on a tray with doilies or simple paper liners. Pair them with tea or a light coffee. They also go well with a glass of milk or hot cocoa if you want a cozy feel.
If you gift them, wrap small stacks in cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Add a small note with a short message written in the same style as on the cookies. The cookies keep their look for days when stored properly.
How to Store Valentine’s Day Cookies
Store plain or decorated cookies in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer life, place them in the fridge for up to 10 days. If you freeze the plain baked cookies, wrap them well and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before decorating.
If cookies are wet with icing that has not fully hardened, let them set fully before stacking. Use parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
Easy Tips to Make Valentine’s Day Cookies
- Chill the dough: Chilled dough is easier to cut and the shape holds better in the oven.
- Use a light touch when rolling to keep the thickness even.
- If dough sticks, dust lightly with flour and move the parchment to roll.
- For smoother icing, sift your confectioners’ sugar before mixing.
- Start with fewer colors if you are new to decorating. One or two colors look clean and pretty.
- Keep a damp towel over icing you are not using to stop skin from forming.
- Practice writing on parchment before writing on a cookie.
These small tips help you feel confident and save time.
Try These Variations of Valentine’s Day Cookies
- Chocolate: Add 2–3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry mix for chocolate hearts.
- Lemon: Replace almond extract with 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract.
- Simple sprinkles: Flood cookies and add sprinkles while wet for a fast look.
- Mini hearts: Use a small cutter for bite-size cookies perfect for party trays.
- Sandwich cookies: Spread a thin layer of jam or buttercream between two cookies for a sweet sandwich.
Mix and match flavors to suit your taste.
Common Questions About Valentine’s Day Cookies
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. The dough can chill in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also freeze dough logs for longer storage and thaw before rolling.
Q: What if my royal icing is too thin or too thick?
A: If too thin, add sifted confectioners’ sugar a little at a time. If too thick, add water 1 teaspoon at a time and beat until you reach the right drizzle time (5–10 seconds).
Q: Do I need meringue powder?
A: Yes. Meringue powder helps royal icing dry firm and smooth. Do not use plain egg white powder as a substitute.
Q: Can I use liquid food coloring?
A: Gel food coloring is best. Liquid coloring can change icing texture and make it run.
Q: How long does it take for icing to set?
A: The base flood usually sets in 2 hours. Writing may need 2–3 hours to fully harden.
Final Thoughts
These Valentine’s Day Cookies give you a classic, pretty result with simple steps. The dough is easy to work with and the royal icing gives a clean finish. You can keep the look simple or decorate with messages and colors. Make them ahead, share them, and enjoy the process of baking and decorating with someone you love.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Gather your tools and ingredients, pick your colors, and start rolling. Take your time with the icing and practice writing on parchment first. You will have a lovely batch of cookies to give or enjoy at home. Have fun baking!
Print
Valentine’s Day Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, sweet, and classic Valentine’s Day cookies with a butter base and smooth royal icing, perfect for decorating and sharing.
Ingredients
- 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour, plus more as needed for rolling
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 4 cups (480g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 3 Tablespoons meringue powder
- 9–10 Tablespoons room-temperature water
- gel food coloring kit for tinting
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar on high until smooth (about 3 minutes).
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; beat on high for 1 minute.
- Mix in the dry ingredients until combined; adjust with flour if too sticky.
- Divide dough, roll each portion to 1/4-inch thickness, stack, and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets.
- Cut hearts from chilled dough and bake for 11-12 minutes until edges are browned; cool before icing.
- Prepare royal icing by beating confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth; decorate cookies when dry.
Notes
The dough can be chilled for up to 2 days, and baked cookies will keep fresh for 5 days at room temperature or 10 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg