Name: Heart-shaped Sugar Cookies: A Valentine’s Delight Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional); Royal icing or sprinkles for decoration

Heart-shaped sugar cookies are the perfect way to spread love on Valentine’s Day! These buttery, soft, and sweet cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly fun to decorate. Whether you're making them for a special someone, your kids, or just to treat yourself, they are sure to bring smiles all around.

I first made these cookies for a Valentine’s party years ago, and they quickly became a tradition. With their crisp edges, soft centers, and hint of vanilla, they taste just as good as they look. Plus, the decorating possibilities are endless—frost them with royal icing, add sprinkles, or keep them simple with a dusting of sugar.

Why You’ll Love These Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies

Get ready to fall in love with this sugar cookie recipe! It’s the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for something sweet and special.

First, these cookies hold their shape beautifully. Unlike some sugar cookie recipes that spread too much, this dough keeps its crisp heart-shaped edges intact, making them perfect for decorating.

They also have the perfect balance of texture—slightly crisp on the edges but soft and chewy in the center. The secret? A touch of cornstarch in the dough keeps them tender while helping maintain their structure.

If you love to decorate, this recipe is for you! The cookies provide the perfect canvas for icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Whether you prefer royal icing, buttercream, or a simple glaze, these cookies pair well with any topping.

Best of all, they’re incredibly easy to make. With just a handful of pantry staples and a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch in no time. They’re a great baking project for kids and adults alike!

Ingredients Notes

The beauty of these heart-shaped sugar cookies lies in their simple yet high-quality ingredients. Each one plays a key role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture.

Unsalted Butter – This gives the cookies their rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it's at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt slightly.

Granulated Sugar – The right amount of sugar adds sweetness without making the cookies too crisp. It also helps create that classic sugar cookie texture.

Egg – Essential for structure and moisture, the egg helps bind everything together while keeping the cookies tender.

Vanilla Extract – A must-have for flavor! Pure vanilla extract enhances the sweetness and gives the cookies that classic sugar cookie taste.

All-Purpose Flour – The base of the cookies. Be sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to avoid a dense dough.

Cornstarch – This might seem like an unusual ingredient, but it helps keep the cookies soft while preventing too much spread.

Salt – A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.

Baking Powder – Just a small amount provides a little lift, giving the cookies a light, delicate texture.

If you plan to decorate, you’ll also need royal icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar for the finishing touches!

How to Make These Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies

Making these sugar cookies is easier than you think! With a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of delicious, beautifully shaped treats ready to be decorated.

Start by creaming the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect cookie texture, so don’t rush it—mix for at least 2-3 minutes.

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as there are no visible streaks of flour.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it for at least 1 hour. This step is key to keeping the cookies from spreading in the oven, so don’t skip it!

Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your cookies, then transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Now comes the fun part—decorating! You can keep things simple with a dusting of sugar or go all out with royal icing, sprinkles, and food coloring. Let your creativity shine!

Storage Options

These heart-shaped sugar cookies store beautifully, making them perfect for preparing ahead of time.

For short-term storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you’ve decorated them with icing, make sure it has fully set before stacking them to prevent smudging.

To freeze the baked cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating or serving.

You can also freeze the cookie dough! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then roll, cut, and bake as usual.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can easily switch things up to match different tastes and occasions!

Lemon or Almond Flavor – Swap out half the vanilla extract for lemon extract or almond extract for a different but delicious twist.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies – Replace ¼ cup of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder to create a rich, chocolatey version of these cookies.

Gluten-Free Option – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Just make sure the blend contains xanthan gum to help with structure.

Dairy-Free Version – Substitute vegan butter for regular butter. Keep in mind that different brands may have slightly different textures, so chilling the dough is even more important.

Fun Shapes for Other Holidays – While hearts are perfect for Valentine’s Day, you can use different cookie cutters for other occasions—pumpkins for Halloween, stars for Christmas, or bunnies for Easter!

No matter how you customize these heart-shaped sugar cookies, they’re bound to be a hit. So grab your rolling pin, your favorite decorations, and start baking! Happy Valentine’s Day!