Description
Soft, sweet, and classic Valentine’s Day cookies with a butter base and smooth royal icing, perfect for decorating and sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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