Heart Sugar Cookies

Introduction

Heart Sugar Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for any occasion, especially Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or simply when you want to share some love. These soft, buttery cookies have a delightful vanilla flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Decorated with vibrant royal icing or a simple dusting of sugar, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Their adorable heart shape makes them a favorite for gifting, sharing, or enjoying as a special homemade treat.

I remember the first time I made these for Valentine’s Day. The kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of vanilla, and decorating them with colorful icing was just as enjoyable as eating them. Seeing the smiles on my family’s faces as they bit into the soft, buttery cookies made the effort completely worth it. What’s great about heart sugar cookies is how customizable they are—you can keep them classic with a simple sugar coating, add intricate royal icing designs, or even sandwich them with jam or chocolate for an extra special touch.

These cookies are surprisingly simple to make, too. With just a few pantry staples and a heart-shaped cutter, you can create a batch of beautifully festive cookies in no time. Whether you’re baking them as a heartfelt gift or indulging in a little homemade sweetness, Heart Sugar Cookies are always a delightful treat!

Perfect for:

• Valentine’s Day
• Anniversaries
• Birthday parties
• Gift boxes
• Baking with kids

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why Heart Sugar Cookies will become your new favorite:

• Soft and Buttery: These cookies have a deliciously rich and tender texture.
• Simple to Make: With just a few ingredients and easy steps, they come together quickly.
• Fun to Decorate: Perfect for adding your personal touch with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter.
• Great for Gifting: Their charming heart shape makes them a thoughtful homemade gift.
• Kid-Friendly: A great baking activity for kids to cut out shapes and decorate.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 2 hours (including chilling time)
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Chilling Time: 1 hour
• Baking Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
• Servings: About 24 cookies
• Calories per serving: Approximately 120-150 calories
• Key Nutrients: Carbs: 20g, Fat: 6g, Protein: 2g

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to make your Heart Sugar Cookies:

For the Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk

For the Decoration:

• Royal icing or buttercream frosting (see below)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles, sanding sugar, or edible glitter (optional)

Ingredient Highlights

• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warmth and depth of flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base for a classic sugar cookie texture.
• Milk: Helps create a softer dough for easier rolling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined.
4. Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
5. Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the cookies hold their shape when baked.

Roll and Cut the Cookies:

6. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Roll the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
8. Cut Out Shapes: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Do not overbake.
10. Cool Completely: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate the Cookies:

11. Prepare the Icing: If using royal icing, mix powdered sugar with a little water or milk until you reach a smooth, pipeable consistency. Add food coloring if desired.
12. Decorate: Use a piping bag or a spoon to spread the icing on the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles, sanding sugar, or edible glitter for extra charm.
13. Let the Icing Set: Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature until the icing hardens.

How to Serve

Heart Sugar Cookies can be enjoyed in many ways:

• As a Valentine’s Gift: Package them in a decorative box or tin for a thoughtful homemade present.
• With a Cup of Tea or Hot Chocolate: A cozy treat for a relaxing afternoon.
• For a Party or Special Occasion: Arrange them on a dessert tray for an eye-catching display.
• Decorate with Kids: Let children decorate with their favorite sprinkles and icing colors.

Additional Tips

Here are some tips to ensure your Heart Sugar Cookies turn out perfectly:

• Chill the Dough: This prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Even Rolling: Roll out the dough evenly to ensure uniform baking.
• Use Parchment Paper: This prevents cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Avoid Overbaking: The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so take them out when the edges are just starting to turn golden.
• Store Properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Recipe Variations

Try these fun variations to customize your Heart Sugar Cookies:

• Chocolate Heart Cookies: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate version.
• Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest for a fresh citrusy flavor.
• Strawberry Sugar Cookies: Mix in 1 tablespoon of freeze-dried strawberry powder for a fruity twist.
• Almond Sugar Cookies: Substitute half the vanilla extract with almond extract for a nutty flavor.
• Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies accessible for everyone.
• Dipped in Chocolate: Dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate for an elegant touch.
• Cinnamon Sugar Cookies: Roll the dough in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking for extra warmth.

Freezing and Storage

• Freezing the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before rolling out.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Store baked cookies in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Room Temperature Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.

Special Equipment

Here are some useful tools to make your Heart Sugar Cookies:

• Rolling Pin: For rolling out the dough evenly.
• Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter: Essential for the signature heart shape.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking.
• Piping Bags and Tips: For detailed icing designs.
• Mixing Bowls and Electric Mixer: Makes mixing and creaming ingredients easier.

FAQ Section

1. Can I make the dough in advance?
   Yes! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days before rolling and baking.
2. Can I make these cookies without icing?
   Absolutely! They taste great plain or with just a dusting of powdered sugar.
3. Can I use different shapes?
   Of course! While heart shapes are great for Valentine’s, you can use any cookie cutter you like.
4. Can I use store-bought frosting?
   Yes, store-bought icing works fine if you’re short on time.
5. Can I add food coloring to the dough?
   Yes! Add a few drops of gel food coloring to create colorful cookies.

Print

Conclusion

Heart Sugar Cookies are the perfect balance of soft, buttery, and sweet, making them a delightful treat for any occasion. Whether enjoyed plain, decorated with icing, or sprinkled with sugar, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat.

With their classic shape and customizable designs, Heart Sugar Cookies are a charming addition to celebrations like Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or simply as a sweet gesture for someone special. The dough is easy to work with, allowing you to create beautifully shaped cookies with crisp edges and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

This recipe is simple to prepare, making it perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers. Whether you choose to frost them with royal icing, drizzle them with chocolate, or keep them classic with a dusting of sugar, these cookies are guaranteed to spread joy.

I’d love to see your Heart Sugar Cookie creations! Snap a photo, share it on social media, and tag me so I can admire your beautifully decorated cookies. Happy baking!