Description
Valentine Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Icing are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet. These heart-shaped cookies, topped with creamy icing, make for a festive and delightful treat to celebrate love, whether for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Vanilla Icing:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- Food coloring (optional)
- ⅛ tsp almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In another bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 1–2 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Mix in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Add the milk and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms. Add a tablespoon of milk if the dough is too dry.
- Roll and Cut the Dough:
- Lightly flour a clean surface and rolling pin. Roll out the dough to ⅓-inch thickness for thick cookies or ¼-inch for thinner cookies. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the cookies on the prepared sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness:
- 8–10 minutes for thinner cookies (¼ inch).
- 10–12 minutes for thicker cookies (⅓ inch).
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Icing:
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the icing reaches your desired consistency. Use food coloring for festive colors if desired.
- Decorate the Cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the icing onto the cookies. Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or decorations before the icing sets.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes if it becomes too soft to handle.
- Don’t overbake! The cookies should be just set and not browned to stay soft.
- Adjust icing consistency for your needs: thicker for piping, thinner for spreading.
- Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American