Name: The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting; Pink food coloring; Valentine’s sprinkles

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Table of Contents: The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies

The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies

Remember the joy of baking with your children, or perhaps recreating cherished family recipes? These aren’t just cookies; they’re edible memories in the making. This recipe for The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies will take you back to those heartwarming moments while creating new ones!

Perfect for an afternoon activity with grandkids, a thoughtful gift for a special someone, or simply brightening a February day, these cookies are a classic that never goes out of style. Get ready to sprinkle your kitchen with love!

Introduction: The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies

The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a symbol of affection, a canvas for creativity, and a guaranteed smile-inducer. For many of us, the ritual of baking and decorating sugar cookies around Valentine’s Day is a beloved tradition, pulling at heartstrings and filling the air with the delightful scent of vanilla and butter.

This recipe isn’t just good – it’s the one you’ll reach for year after year, the base for countless personalized creations. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll find these cookies surprisingly easy to make, with results that look and taste professional.

We’ve perfected this recipe to deliver consistently tender, flavorful cookies that hold their shape beautifully during baking. The slightly browned edges offer a delightful texture contrast to the soft center, and the simple sweetness is the perfect complement to the creamy, vibrant Valentine’s Day frosting.

These aren’t limited to just Valentine’s Day, though! Feel free to adjust the colors and sprinkles to fit any occasion—birthday parties, baby showers, or even just a cozy weekend at home. Beyond the holidays, these make wonderful gifts, a fun activity for family gatherings, and even a comforting treat alongside a cup of tea. They’re truly versatile! Creating cut-out cookies shouldn’t be stressful, and this dough is designed to make it a joyful experience.

Alternate Names & Variations

You might find this recipe circulating under similar names like “Valentine’s Sweetheart Cookies,” “Pink Sugar Cookies,” or simply “Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies.” Many bakers also adapt the flavor by adding a hint of almond extract to the dough, or even lemon zest for a brighter, citrusy note.

Some prefer a tangier cookie and add a tablespoon of cream of tartar to the dough. For a more grown-up palette, consider dipping the cooled, frosted cookies in melted white chocolate and sprinkling with chopped nuts. Speaking of decorating, experimenting with different techniques when it comes to decorated sugar cookies can be a whole lot of fun!

Ingredients: The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful Valentine’s treats:

Cookie Recipe:

* ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened (Salted or unsalted – your preference!)

* ½ cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
* 1 large egg white
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 &⅓ cup (160g) all-purpose flour
* ½ teaspoon baking soda
* ¼ teaspoon baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt

Frosting Recipe:

* ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
* 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
* 1 tablespoon heavy cream (or milk)
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* Pink gel food coloring (adjust to your desired shade)
* Valentine’s Day sprinkles (hearts, nonpareils, sanding sugar – get creative!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Chef’s Tip: Make sure your butter is truly softened, but not melted. This is crucial for achieving the right cookie texture.

2. Add Egg White and Vanilla: Beat in the egg white until well combined. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). Shortcut: If you’re short on time, a 20-minute chill is usually sufficient, but longer chilling yields a less sticky, easier-to-handle dough.
6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼ inch thickness.

8. Cut Out Shapes: Use Valentine’s Day cookie cutters (hearts, flowers, arrows, etc.) to cut out desired shapes.
9. Bake the Cookies: Place cookies onto prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
10. Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. Make the Frosting: While cookies are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, and beat until light and fluffy.
12. Color the Frosting: Add pink gel food coloring, a drop at a time, until you reach your desired shade. Remember that gel food coloring is very concentrated!
13. Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them with the pink frosting.

14. Decorate with Sprinkles!: Immediately sprinkle with Valentine’s Day sprinkles before the frosting sets.

Recipe Card Block (Quick Reference)

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)

Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 50 minutes + cooling and decorating.

Servings: 4 (approximately 24 cookies)

Approximate Calories: 150-200 per cookie (depending on frosting and sprinkle amount)

Why This Recipe Works & Expert Tips

This recipe stands out because of its focus on achieving the perfect sugar cookie texture and flavor. The combination of granulated and brown sugar provides a subtle depth of sweetness, while the egg white contributes to tenderness.

Chilling the dough is paramount – it prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring those clean, defined shapes are maintained. We also use both baking soda and baking powder to give a beautiful rise.

This recipe is perfect for creating easy comfort food for family dinners, or a special treat around a holiday. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your decorating! Pipe on intricate designs, use different colored frostings, or even add a touch of edible glitter. For a seamless look, use a slightly warmed offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly. Remember: patience is key! Allowing the cookies to cool completely before frosting will prevent the frosting from melting and running.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Frosted cookies are best enjoyed within 1-2 days, as the frosting can become sticky over time. To freeze the cookies, either freeze the dough (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap) for up to 2 months, or freeze the baked, unfrosted cookies for up to 1 month.

Thaw frozen dough in the refrigerator overnight. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature. Rewarming isn’t generally recommended, as it can make the cookies dry. However, a very brief microwave zap (5-10 seconds) can soften them slightly if needed. Proper storage helps keep these Valentine’s Day frosted sugar cookies tasting fresh!

Conclusion: The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies

So there you have it – my recipe for The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies! I truly hope you’ll give this recipe a try and experience the joy of baking and decorating these sweet treats.

Don’t be afraid to personalize them with your own favorite colors and sprinkles. Share your creations with loved ones, or simply enjoy a moment of sweetness for yourself. I’d love to hear how your cookies turned out – please feel free to leave a comment and tell me about your experience! Happy baking, and Happy Valentine’s Day!