Heart Cookies – Easy Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies

Whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around, I always find myself reaching for a simple but charming bake, and heart cookies never disappoint.

They’re classic, buttery, and instantly festive, whether you decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or keep them beautifully plain.

These cookies are perfect for gifting, sharing, or serving at parties, and they’re just as fun to make as they are to eat.

This heart cookie recipe creates soft, lightly crisp sugar cookies that hold their shape beautifully when baked.

Inspired by classic cut-out sugar cookies, these are easy to roll, easy to decorate, and ideal for any Valentine’s dessert table.

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Recipe Highlights

Heart cookies are a timeless Valentine’s treat that combines simplicity with endless decorating possibilities.

The dough rolls smoothly, cuts cleanly, and bakes evenly, making it a reliable recipe even for beginner bakers.

What I love most about these cookies is their versatility. You can frost them, dip them in chocolate, drizzle them with icing, or dust them lightly with sugar for a more understated look.

They work just as well for kids’ parties as they do for elegant dessert spreads.

Because they’re sturdy and store well, heart cookies are also excellent for making ahead, gifting, or packaging in treat bags for holidays and special occasions.

• Classic Valentine’s dessert
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• Holds a heart shape perfectly when baked
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• Easy to decorate or enjoy plain
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• Great for gifting and parties
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• Kid-friendly and beginner-friendly recipe

Ingredient Notes

Each ingredient helps create a soft, buttery cookie with just the right amount of sweetness and structure.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and stability so the cookies hold their shape.
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• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and classic sugar cookie flavor.
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• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies without overpowering the buttery taste.
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• Large egg: Binds the dough and adds tenderness.
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• Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor and adds warmth.
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• Baking powder: Gives the cookies a soft, light texture.
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• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.

How to Make My Heart Cookies

1. Cream butter and sugar: Beat until light and fluffy.
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2. Add egg and vanilla: Mix until fully combined.
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3. Combine dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
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4. Form the dough: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
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5. Chill the dough: Refrigerate until firm enough to roll.
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6. Roll and cut: Roll the dough and cut into heart shapes.
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7. Bake: Bake until edges are lightly golden.
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8. Cool and decorate: Allow cookies to cool before decorating.

Serving Suggestions

• Valentine’s Day dessert boards
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• Cookie gift boxes
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• After-dinner dessert plates
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• Paired with hot chocolate or coffee
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• Party dessert tables

Variations & Substitutions

Heart cookies are wonderfully adaptable, making them easy to customize for different tastes, themes, or dietary needs.

If you want a chocolate version, you can replace about one-quarter cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder.

This creates rich chocolate heart cookies that pair beautifully with vanilla, strawberry, or raspberry icing.

For flavor variations, try swapping vanilla extract with almond extract, lemon extract, or a combination of vanilla and almond for a classic bakery-style taste.

You can also add finely grated citrus zest to the dough for a subtle brightness that works especially well for Valentine’s Day.

If you need a dairy-free option, plant-based butter substitutes work well in this recipe, as long as they are firm and not whipped.

Gluten-free all-purpose flour blends can also be used with good results, though chilling the dough a bit longer helps maintain clean heart shapes.

Can I Make This Ahead?

Yes, heart cookies are ideal for making ahead, which makes them perfect for holidays and special occasions.

The dough can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.

This actually helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut clean shapes.

Baked cookies can also be made several days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

For best results, decorate the cookies closer to serving so the icing stays vibrant and fresh.

If you want to prepare even further in advance, undecorated baked cookies freeze very well.

Simply thaw them at room temperature, then decorate once fully defrosted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes is skipping the chilling step. Warm dough spreads more in the oven, causing the cookies to lose their crisp heart shape.

Even a short chill makes a noticeable difference in how the cookies bake.

Overworking the dough can also lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined—overmixing develops gluten, which affects texture.

Another frequent issue is rolling the dough too thin. Thin dough can cause cookies to overbake quickly and lose their softness.

Aim for an even thickness so the cookies bake evenly and stay tender.

Tips for the Best Heart Cookies

Chilling the dough is essential for clean cuts and cookies that hold their shape. Even a short chill helps prevent spreading during baking and makes the dough easier to handle.

Roll the dough evenly to ensure consistent baking. Uneven thickness can cause some cookies to brown faster than others.

Always allow cookies to cool completely before decorating. Warm cookies can cause icing to melt or slide off, affecting both appearance and texture.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature
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• Keeps fresh for up to one week
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• Dough can be refrigerated for up to two days
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• Baked cookies freeze well without icing

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to flour my cookie cutters?

Lightly flouring the cutters helps prevent sticking and ensures clean edges, especially when working with detailed heart shapes.

How do I keep cookies from browning too much on the bottom?

Bake on parchment-lined baking sheets and use the middle oven rack. Removing cookies as soon as the edges are set also helps prevent over-browning.

Can I decorate these cookies with royal icing?

Yes, royal icing works beautifully and sets firmly for stacking or gifting.

Do I need a special cookie cutter?

A heart-shaped cutter works best, but you can also use a stencil and knife.

Can kids help make these cookies?

Absolutely. This recipe is great for baking with kids, especially during cutting and decorating.