Simple Valentine’s Day Cookies With Royal Icing Recipe

There's nothing quite like the charm of homemade Valentine’s Day cookies to show your love. These soft, buttery cookies topped with smooth royal icing are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for gifting or indulging with your favorite cup of tea, they’re a delightful way to celebrate the season of love.

this Recipe

I first started making these cookies when I wanted a sweet but simple project to share with my kids. Decorating them became an instant favorite activity, and the result? A batch of edible love notes that never fail to impress. Let’s dive into how you can make these festive treats yourself.

Why You’ll Love These Simple Valentine’s Day Cookies With Royal Icing

Get ready to fall head over heels for these Valentine’s Day cookies! They’re more than just a dessert; they’re a creative and tasty way to show someone you care.

First, they’re incredibly easy to make, even if you’re not an experienced baker. The dough is straightforward, and the royal icing requires just a few pantry staples to create its glossy, professional-looking finish.

Next, these cookies are highly customizable. You can use heart-shaped cookie cutters, playful sprinkles, or even personalize them with messages using icing. The possibilities are endless!

What’s more, this recipe is perfect for any schedule. You can prepare the dough ahead of time, bake the cookies in a flash, and let your artistic side shine as you decorate at your own pace.

Lastly, these cookies are an excellent gift idea. Pack them in decorative boxes or wrap them in clear cellophane with ribbons for a thoughtful and homemade Valentine’s Day surprise.

Ingredients Notes

The magic of these Valentine’s Day cookies lies in their simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

All-purpose flour forms the base of the dough. Be sure to measure it accurately for the perfect cookie texture—too much can make them dense, while too little can make the dough sticky.

Unsalted butter is key for creating that soft, buttery flavor. Let it come to room temperature before mixing for a smooth and creamy dough.

Granulated sugar provides just the right amount of sweetness to the cookies without overpowering the subtle vanilla flavor.

Vanilla extract enhances the cookies with a warm, aromatic touch. For a special twist, try substituting almond extract or adding a splash of lemon zest.

For the royal icing, powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water come together to create a smooth, pipeable consistency. Meringue powder is a lifesaver, eliminating the need for raw egg whites while delivering a glossy finish.

You’ll also need basic baking tools like a rolling pin, cookie cutters, and piping bags for decorating.

How To Make These Simple Valentine’s Day Cookies With Royal Icing

Creating these cookies is as much fun as enjoying them. Let’s break it down into manageable steps.

Start by making the cookie dough. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process helps incorporate air, giving the cookies their tender texture. Add in the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Gradually add the flour to the mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, refrigerate it for about 15 minutes.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your designs, placing them on a lined baking sheet.

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

To make the royal icing, whisk together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and a small amount of water until smooth. For a thinner consistency, add a few more drops of water. Divide and color the icing as desired using gel food coloring.

Pipe and flood the cookies with icing, working in sections. Allow the icing to set for 4-6 hours before adding additional decorations or packaging.

Storage Options

These cookies store beautifully, making them a fantastic make-ahead treat.

Keep undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you’ve decorated them with royal icing, store them in a single layer or between sheets of parchment paper to prevent smudging.

For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies (without icing) for up to three months. When ready to use, simply thaw them at room temperature before decorating.

Refrigeration is not recommended, as it can affect the texture of the icing and cookies.

Variations and Substitutions

These Valentine’s Day cookies are a blank canvas, perfect for experimenting with different flavors and designs.

• Flavor twists: Add a touch of cocoa powder to the dough for chocolate cookies or swap vanilla for almond extract for a nutty flavor.
• Colorful icing: Use gel food coloring to create a palette of pinks, reds, and purples that suit the Valentine’s Day theme.
• Sprinkles and edible glitter: Elevate your designs with fun and sparkly decorations.
• Shape options: While hearts are a classic, you can use any cookie cutter shape to make these cookies suitable for other occasions.
• Dairy-free adaptation: Replace butter with plant-based alternatives for a vegan-friendly version.

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—have fun experimenting and make it your own!

With these cookies, your Valentine’s Day is bound to be sweeter, whether you’re gifting them to loved ones or enjoying them yourself. Happy baking!

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