I recently created my version of a Valentine Sugar Cookie Recipe using classic ingredients like all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and a beaten egg with hints of vanilla and almond extracts. A few drops of red food coloring add a playful vibe to these charming, heart-inspired treats.

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I first tried these sugar cookies and instantly fell in love with them. The blend of 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt and ½ teaspoon of baking powder mixed with soft unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and an egg created a dough that was just too good to pass up.

Then adding a bit of vanilla extract and almond extract really took these cookies to the next level. I even threw in a few drops of red food coloring to celebrate the Valentine vibe that they bring.

It’s crazy how such simple ingredients can turn into something impressively delicious and visually appealing, perfect for those heart shaped cookies or other fun shapes that remind us of conversation hearts. If you’re looking for a charming treat to add to your Valentine desserts, this recipe might be just what you need.

Enjoy making them and sharing a sweet moment.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I dig how the butter and sugar mix together to make this super creamy base that just melts in your mouth. Second, adding that extra pop of red or pink food coloring gives me major Valentine vibes and makes the cookies look fun and festive. Third, I get a kick out of rolling out the dough and cutting it into cute shapes – even if it gets a bit messy sometimes, it’s totally worth it. Lastly, sprinkling extra sugar on top before baking gives the cookies a little crunch that makes every bite even more awesome.

Ingredients

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Flour supplies carbs for structure, a base for our tasty cookie creation.
Butter provides richness and moisture, creating a soft texture and sweet flavour.
Sugar adds classic sweetness and browns during baking but isn’t healthy if overdone.
Egg binds ingredients and adds protein, helping cookies rise and taste full.
Vanilla extract boosts flavor instantly, even though it has no carbs or protein.
Almond extract imparts a distinct, nutty aroma, perfect for a Valentine treat.
Red or pink food coloring gives cookies a romantic look without affecting taste.
Salt enhances flavors by balancing sweetness, crucial even in these sugar cookies.

Ingredient Quantities

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

Optional: a few drops of red or pink food coloring to get that Valentine vibe

Optional: extra granulated sugar for sprinkling on top before baking

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt.

3. In a large bowl, beat the 1 cup of unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar until it’s nice and creamy.

4. Add in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of almond extract; if you want that extra Valentine vibe, mix in a few drops of red or pink food coloring now.

5. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture until a soft dough forms.

6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for about an hour if it’s too sticky to roll out.

7. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.

8. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and if you like, sprinkle a bit of extra granulated sugar on top before baking.

9. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just lightly golden. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven set to 350°F and a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
2. Medium bowl for mixing the flour, baking powder and salt
3. Large bowl for beating together the butter and sugar
4. Hand mixer or whisk to help beat the butter-sugar mixture
5. Measuring cups and spoons for all the dry and liquid ingredients
6. Spatula or wooden spoon to stir in the dry ingredients
7. Plastic wrap to cover the dough while it chills in the fridge
8. Refrigerator to chill the dough
9. Clean work surface that you can lightly flour for rolling out the dough
10. Rolling pin to roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness
11. Cookie cutters for cutting out your desired shapes
12. Wire cooling rack for letting the cookies cool after baking

FAQ

Q: Can I substitute salted butter for unsalted butter?

A: Yes, you can but use less salt in the recipe since salted butter already has salt in it.

Q: Do I really need to use both vanilla and almond extracts?

A: They both add extra flavor, but if you're not a fan of almond, you can use just vanilla even though it might be a bit simpler.

Q: How do i get that perfect Valentine vibe with the colors?

A: Just add a few drops of red or pink food coloring till you get the tone u like. Careful though – too much can affect the taste.

Q: Is it necessary to sprinkle extra sugar on top before baking?

A: It's totally optional, but sprinkling a little sugar on top can add a nice crunch and extra sweetness.

Q: What if i don't have a cooled butter, can i still use it?

A: The recipe calls for softened butter, so if u let it sit at room temperature for a while, it should work fine without being completely melted.

The Best Valentine Sugar Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

All-purpose flour: If you need a gluten free twist, try a 1:1 gluten free all-purpose blend. Just be sure to check if it already has xanthan gum mixed in.
Unsalted butter: You can substitute with dairy-free butter or a good quality margarine. It might change the flavor a bit, but it works great in a pinch.
Granulated sugar: Instead of regular sugar, you could use coconut sugar or even a bit of brown sugar. This might make your cookies chewier so it’s worth a try.
Egg: If you’re looking to go vegan or just out of eggs, whisk 1 tablespoon of flax meal with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. Works pretty well as a substitute.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter is really soft and at room temperature before you start mixing so the sugar creams in properly, it makes for better texture.
2. If you find the dough too sticky to roll out, try chilling it a bit longer or add just a tiny extra pinch of flour on your work surface to help it along.
3. When you roll out the dough, don’t worry about making it perfect each time, a bit of irregularity adds character to your cookies.
4. Keep an eye on the cookies in the oven since every oven bakes a little differently; taking them out just when the edges start to turn lightly golden avoids overbaking.
5. Let the cookies cool a little on the tray before moving them to a rack, it’s tempting to try and eat them right away but letting them set helps them firm up properly.

The Best Valentine Sugar Cookies Recipe

Recipe by Tina Bueller

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

124

kcal

Equipment: 1. Preheated oven set to 350°F and a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
2. Medium bowl for mixing the flour, baking powder and salt
3. Large bowl for beating together the butter and sugar
4. Hand mixer or whisk to help beat the butter-sugar mixture
5. Measuring cups and spoons for all the dry and liquid ingredients
6. Spatula or wooden spoon to stir in the dry ingredients
7. Plastic wrap to cover the dough while it chills in the fridge
8. Refrigerator to chill the dough
9. Clean work surface that you can lightly flour for rolling out the dough
10. Rolling pin to roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness
11. Cookie cutters for cutting out your desired shapes
12. Wire cooling rack for letting the cookies cool after baking

Ingredients

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
Optional: a few drops of red or pink food coloring to get that Valentine vibe
Optional: extra granulated sugar for sprinkling on top before baking

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix together the 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
In a large bowl, beat the 1 cup of unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar until it's nice and creamy.
Add in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of almond extract; if you want that extra Valentine vibe, mix in a few drops of red or pink food coloring now.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture until a soft dough forms.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for about an hour if it's too sticky to roll out.
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and if you like, sprinkle a bit of extra granulated sugar on top before baking.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just lightly golden. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.