Why make this recipe
Valentine’s Day is a special occasion for showing love and appreciation. What better way to do this than by baking sweet, heart-shaped cookies? These Valentine cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones or decorating for a festive touch. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat!
How to make Valentine Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Royal icing for decorating (store-bought or homemade)
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles and edible decorations (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
- Roll out the cookie dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are light golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Use royal icing and decorate them as desired with food coloring and sprinkles.
How to serve Valentine Cookies
Serve these Valentine cookies on a festive plate or in a cute gift box. They make great treats for a Valentine’s Day party or a thoughtful gift for friends and family. You can also arrange them in a cookie jar for a lovely centerpiece.
How to store Valentine Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to separate layers with wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
Tips to make Valentine Cookies
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it out to prevent sticking.
- Experiment with different flavors by adding lemon or orange zest.
- Make sure the cookies are completely cool before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
Variation
Try adding cocoa powder to the dough for chocolate Valentine cookies. You can also use different cookie shapes like circles or stars to mix things up!
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of icing?
Yes, you can use buttercream or fondant if you prefer. Just pick one that suits your decorating style.
2. What if I don’t have food coloring?
You can leave the icing white or use natural colorings like beet juice or matcha for color.
3. Are these cookies gluten-free?
You can make them gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free mix, just ensure it contains a binder.
Valentine Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- none Royal icing for decorating store-bought or homemade
- none Food coloring (optional)
- none Sprinkles and edible decorations (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
- Roll out the cookie dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet.
Baking
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are light golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Decorating
- Use royal icing and decorate them as desired with food coloring and sprinkles.