Introduction

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these delightful sugar cookies shaped like hearts, X’s, and O’s. They’re soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with either creamy buttercream frosting or a sweet glaze. Whether for a festive treat or a fun baking activity, these cookies are sure to spread love and sweetness.

Valentine's Day Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting and Red 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 food coloring (red) – for glaze
Sprinkles (Valentine’s Day themed)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: In a small bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, cream the cold butter chunks and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Step 4: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Roll the dough out on a floured surface to just over 1/4 inch thick. Use heart, X, and O shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place the cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 6: Freeze the shaped dough on the baking sheet for 5-7 minutes to help them keep their shape.
Step 7: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden.
Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
Step 9 (Buttercream frosting): In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy.
Step 10 (Buttercream frosting): With the mixer running, slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and holds its shape but spreads easily.
Step 11 (Glaze): In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and red food coloring until smooth and runny.
Step 12 (Glaze): Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, letting excess drip off. Place on a cooling rack and immediately add sprinkles.
Step 13 (Glaze): Allow glaze to dry for 1-2 hours before handling or stacking.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try substituting almond extract with lemon or orange extract.
If you prefer firmer cookies, bake them a minute or two longer but watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to keep the glaze from thinning too much.
Decorate with edible glitter or colored sugars for more festive looks.

Storage

Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If frosted, keep them separated with wax paper to prevent sticking. Glazed cookies should be fully dry before storing. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies wrapped tightly for up to 3 months and thaw before decorating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month before rolling and cutting.

What’s the best way to get clean edges on my cookies?

Chilling the dough once cut and before baking helps cookies hold their shape and results in cleaner edges. Also, roll dough evenly to a consistent thickness.

Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting and Red Glaze Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 80 reviews

This Valentine Sugar Cookie Recipe features soft, buttery heart-shaped cookies perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day. The dough is lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, baked to a tender finish, and decorated with delicious buttercream frosting or a sweet glaze topped with festive sprinkles. These charming, festive treats are ideal for sharing with loved ones or gifting during the holiday.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: About 24 medium-sized cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

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 (optional)

1/2 cup butter (softened, 1 stick)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 tbsp milk (adjust as needed)

Glaze (optional)

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

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C) to prepare the baking environment for the cookies.
Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set this mixture aside.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the cold, chunked butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer.
Add egg and extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract thoroughly until combined.
Combine dry ingredients into wet: Gradually stir the flour and baking powder mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form the cookie dough.
Roll out dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough out to just over 1/4 inch thick.
Cut out cookies: Using heart-shaped or X and O cookie cutters, cut the dough into desired shapes and place the cut-outs onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
Freeze dough: Place the baking sheet with cut cookies into the freezer for 5 to 7 minutes to firm the dough for even baking.
Bake cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden.
Cool cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer them to wire 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. Beat on medium speed until well blended.
Add milk gradually: With the mixer running, slowly pour in milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting becomes creamy, smooth, and spreadable, typically after 2 to 3 tablespoons. Adjust for desired consistency.
Frost cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread the buttercream frosting on top using a butter knife or spatula.
Prepare glaze (optional): In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth and runny.
Glaze cookies: Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze and place them on a cooling rack to let excess glaze drip off.
Add sprinkles: Immediately decorate the glazed cookies with Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles while glaze is still wet.
Dry glaze: Allow the glazed cookies to dry for 1 to 2 hours until the glaze is set.

Notes

Chilling the dough after cutting helps maintain the cookie shapes during baking.
Make sure cookies cool completely before frosting or glazing to avoid melting toppings.
Milk quantity in frosting and glaze can be adjusted for preferred thickness.
Use unbleached flour for better texture and flavor.
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan alternative and use plant-based milk.

Keywords: Valentine’s Day cookies, sugar cookies, heart-shaped cookies, buttercream frosting, glaze, holiday baking, homemade cookies