This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
This post is all about Valentines Dessert.
These heart-shaped sugar cookies are a delightful treat for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Soft, sweet and perfectly shaped they are ideal for sharing with loved ones or decorating for a festive occasion.
The cookies are topped with a smooth royal icing that can be customized with various colors and designs making them not only delicious but also visually appealing.
Delicious Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Heart-shaped sugar cookies make for a delightful treat, especially during Valentine’s Day celebrations.
These cookies are soft, sweet, and perfectly shaped, making them ideal for sharing with loved ones or decorating for a festive occasion.
This recipe yields about 24 heart-shaped cookies, perfect for gifting or enjoying at home.
With a preparation time of approximately 1 hour, plus chilling time for the dough, these cookies are a wonderful addition to any celebration.
Ingredients for Sweet Success
To create these charming cookies, gather essential ingredients that contribute to their delightful flavor and texture.
You’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, an egg, and extracts of vanilla and almond.
For the royal icing, powdered sugar and meringue powder are key, along with water to achieve the desired consistency.
Food coloring can be added to create vibrant hues, enhancing the visual appeal of your cookies.
Preparing the Dough
The first step in crafting these cookies involves preparing the dough.
Begin by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Next, incorporate the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts into the mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients until everything is well combined.
This creates a smooth and cohesive dough that will form the base of your cookies.
Chilling and Shaping the Cookies
Once the dough is prepared, it’s essential to chill it for the best results.
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies, placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Baking and Cooling
Now it’s time to bake the cookies!
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack, ensuring they are completely cool before decorating.
Creating and Decorating with Royal Icing
The finishing touch for these cookies is the royal icing, which adds both flavor and visual appeal.
In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water, beating until the icing is smooth and glossy. Adjust the consistency with more water if necessary.
Divide the icing into bowls and color as desired.
Using piping bags, decorate the cooled cookies with intricate designs, including swirls and dots. Allow the icing to dry completely before storing your beautifully decorated treats.
Delicious Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
This recipe yields about 24 heart-shaped cookies, perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. The cookies take approximately 1 hour to prepare and decorate, plus chilling time for the dough.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for royal icing)
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- Water as needed for icing consistency
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack.
- Make Royal Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat until the icing is smooth and glossy. Adjust consistency with more water if needed.
- Decorate: Divide the icing into bowls and color as desired. Use piping bags to decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing. Allow the icing to dry completely before storing.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
