Easy Valentine Sugar Cookies
These Valentine Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery cut-out cookies with a delicate shortbread-like texture and subtle almond flavor. Made with cold butter for minimal spreading, they bake up pale and smooth—perfect for heart-shaped cookies decorated with buttercream or glossy glaze for Valentine’s Day.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
**Cookie Dough**
3 cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup salted butter, cold and cut into chunks
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
**Buttercream Frosting Option**
½ cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk (more as needed)
**Glaze Option**
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1–2 drops red food coloring
Valentine sprinkles
Instructions
**Prepare Oven**
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
**Mix Dry Ingredients**
Stir flour and baking powder together. Set aside.
**Cream Butter and Sugar**
Beat cold butter chunks and sugar for 2–3 minutes until combined.
**Add Egg and Extracts**
Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
**Incorporate Dry Ingredients**
Add flour mixture on low speed and mix just until dough forms.
**Roll and Cut Cookies**
Roll dough on floured surface to just over ¼-inch thick. Cut shapes and reroll scraps once.
**Freeze Cookies**
Place cut cookies on baking sheets and freeze for 5–7 minutes.
**Bake**
Bake immediately for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
**Cool Properly**
Cool 3 minutes on pan, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
**Make Buttercream (Optional)**
Beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and pipeable.
**Make Glaze (Optional)**
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and food coloring until smooth. Dip cookies and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
• Cold butter is essential for tender texture and minimal spreading.
• Freeze cookies briefly before baking for sharp edges.
• Almond extract adds depth—omit if needed and increase vanilla.
• Buttercream is best for piping; glaze dries smooth and hard.
• Don’t overbake—cookies should stay pale.
Find it online: https://pinchofwarmthbakes.com/valentine-sugar-cookies/