Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly soft, sweet sugar cookie that not only melts in your mouth but also captures the essence of love and romance! These Valentine Heart Sugar Cookies are more than just a dessert - they're a delightful culinary expression of affection that will make hearts flutter and taste buds dance. Whether you're planning a special surprise for your sweetheart or looking to spread some love with homemade treats, these adorable heart-shaped cookies are guaranteed to create magical moments in your kitchen.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons of milk
- 1/4 cup colored sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and white sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until well combined and smooth.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. If the dough seems too dry, add milk one tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll out to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookie shapes. Carefully transfer the cut cookies to the prepared baking sheets.
- Sprinkle the colored sugar over the cookie tops before baking for additional decoration.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Once cooled, decorate with royal icing or additional colored sugar as desired.
Tips
- Ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture.
- Don't overmix the dough - this can lead to tough cookies.
- Use a light touch when rolling out the dough to keep cookies tender.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before cutting if it feels too soft.
- Use fresh, high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Invest in good heart-shaped cookie cutters for precise shapes.
- Watch cookies carefully while baking - they can quickly go from perfect to overdone.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
- For extra romance, consider using pink or red colored sugar for decoration.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 150kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 20mg
