Introduction

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these charming and delicious Valentine Sugar Cookies. Soft, buttery cookies shaped into hearts and festive symbols are perfect for gifting or sharing with loved ones. Decorate them with creamy buttercream or a smooth glaze for a sweet finishing touch.

Valentine Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting and Glaze Recipe - Recipe Image

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 buttercream frosting
4 cups powdered sugar – for buttercream frosting
1 tsp vanilla extract – for buttercream frosting
2 tbsp milk (or more as needed) – for buttercream 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
Sprinkles (Valentine’s Day themed)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350° F.
Step 2: In a small bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Set aside. In a larger bowl, cream the cold butter chunks and granulated sugar together until fluffy. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture until just combined.
Step 3: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to just over 1/4 inch thickness. Use heart-shaped or X and O cookie cutters to cut shapes, then place cookies onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Freeze the cookie cutouts for 5 to 7 minutes, then bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Step 5: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: To make buttercream frosting: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Start mixing the butter into the sugar, then slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is creamy and spreadable. Adjust milk as needed for consistency.
Step 7: If opting for glaze instead: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and red food coloring until smooth and runny. Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze and place on a cooling rack to let excess drip off. Immediately decorate with sprinkles and allow the glaze to dry for 1 to 2 hours.

Tips & Variations

For a softer cookie, do not overbake; pull them out as soon as the edges are lightly golden.
Try swapping almond extract for lemon or orange extract to add a citrus twist.
If you prefer a sturdier frosting for piping, chill the buttercream for 15 minutes before decorating.
Use gel-based food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering frosting consistency.

Storage

Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If glazed, ensure the glaze has fully set before stacking to avoid sticking. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating. Reheat is not necessary, as these cookies are best enjoyed fresh or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling out.

What if I don’t have almond extract?

If you don’t have almond extract, you can omit it or replace it with an equal amount of vanilla extract. The cookies will still be delicious!

Valentine Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting and Glaze Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 52 reviews

Celebrate love with these delightful Valentine Sugar Cookies! Soft, buttery heart-shaped cookies are topped with creamy buttercream or sweet glaze and festive sprinkles, perfect for sharing on Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: About 24–30 cookies depending on size 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies

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

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

Glaze

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

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F to prepare for baking the cookies.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the cold, chunked butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly incorporate the flour and baking powder mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, stirring gently until a dough forms.
Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to just over 1/4 inch thickness. Using heart-shaped and/or X and O cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Freeze Dough: Freeze the cut cookies on the baking sheet for 5 to 7 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking.
Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are slightly golden.
Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer them to cooling racks to cool completely.
Prepare Buttercream Frosting (Optional): In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a mixer, begin to mix these ingredients together.
Adjust Consistency: While mixing, slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting becomes creamy and spreadable but still thick enough to hold its shape.
Finish Frosting: Continue mixing for a smooth texture, then the buttercream is ready to be spread onto cooled cookies.
Prepare Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until the glaze is smooth and runny.
Glaze Cookies: Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, then place on a cooling rack to allow excess glaze to drip off.
Add Sprinkles: Immediately sprinkle Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles over the glazed cookies before the glaze sets.
Dry Glaze: Allow the glazed cookies to dry for 1 to 2 hours until the glaze is set.

Notes

Chilling the dough before baking helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading.
You can choose between buttercream frosting for a creamy texture or glaze for a sweet, smooth finish.
If you want a richer vanilla flavor, add an extra 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract in the frosting.
Use cold butter chunks for the dough and softened butter for the frosting for best results.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Frosted cookies are best eaten within 1-2 days.
Feel free to customize the glaze color with different food coloring to match other occasions.

Keywords: Valentine Sugar Cookies, Heart Shaped Cookies, Buttercream Frosting, Sweet Glaze, Valentine’s Day Treats