Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show someone you care than with homemade cookies? These Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies are sweet, soft, and decorated with a beautiful, creamy frosting. They’re not just delicious; they’re a fun way to get into the spirit of the holiday, and trust me, they’ll impress anyone who gets a bite. Whether you’re baking for a loved one or bringing treats to a party, these cookies are sure to spread the love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
These sugar cookies are everything you want in a cookie—soft, chewy, and bursting with sweetness. The addition of butter and vanilla extract makes them extra flavorful, and the creamy frosting takes them to the next level. The best part? You can customize them for Valentine’s Day with heart shapes and pink or red icing. They’re the perfect combination of festive and delicious!
Now, let’s get to the ingredients and steps to make these irresistible cookies.
Ingredients
(Full list below in the recipe card)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Sour cream (or buttermilk, for tanginess)
- Powdered sugar (for frosting)
- Milk
- Food coloring (for decorating)
Directions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure your cookies bake evenly and get that lovely golden edge you’re looking for.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the dough. You’ll notice that the dough will be slightly soft, which is exactly what you want for a soft cookie.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape while baking and ensures they’re not too spread out.
Step 4: Roll and Cut the Dough
Once your dough is chilled, lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter (or any shape you prefer) to cut out your cookies. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Don’t overbake! You want them soft and chewy, so keep an eye on them. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
Step 6: Make the Frosting
While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar with a little milk until smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk to get a spreadable consistency. If you want to add color, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each.
Step 7: Frost the Cookies
Once your cookies have cooled completely, it’s time to frost them! Spread the frosting on each cookie, and get creative with your decorating. You can use different colors, sprinkles, or even little heart-shaped candies to give them that extra Valentine’s touch.
Step 8: Let the Frosting Set
After decorating, let the frosting set for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This will help it firm up and make the cookies easier to stack if you’re storing them or packaging them up as gifts.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much during baking.
- Rolling Tip: If the dough is too sticky to roll, lightly dust your rolling pin and work surface with flour.
- Soft Cookies: For the softest cookies, avoid overbaking. Keep an eye on the edges and take them out as soon as they start turning golden.
- Customize the Frosting: You can also add a teaspoon of almond extract or lemon zest to the frosting for an extra flavor boost.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free. Just make sure the blend has xanthan gum or guar gum to help the dough hold together.
- Flavor Twist: Try adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the cookie dough for a unique flavor or to enhance the vanilla flavor.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan butter, an egg substitute (like flaxseed or chia seeds), and non-dairy milk for a dairy-free version of these cookies.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies are perfect on their own, but they also make a great addition to a dessert table or gift basket. Pair them with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or even a sweet strawberry milkshake for the ultimate treat.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store your frosted sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep the frosting intact, layer the cookies with parchment paper or wax paper. If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the cookies before frosting them. Just freeze the cooled cookies on a baking sheet and then transfer them to an airtight container for up to 3 months. Frost them when you’re ready to enjoy!
4 FAQs
- Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough a day or two ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to roll it out and bake. - What if I don’t have a heart-shaped cutter?
You can use any cookie cutter shape you like or simply cut the dough into squares or circles with a knife. - Can I use store-bought frosting?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, store-bought frosting works just as well. Just add a little food coloring to make it festive. - Can I freeze frosted cookies?
It’s best to freeze the cookies before frosting them. Frosted cookies can be frozen, but the frosting may lose its texture. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze, and then transfer to an airtight container.
Conclusion
These Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season of love. They’re soft, sweet, and easy to make, and they look beautiful when decorated with colorful frosting. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing with friends, or enjoying them with your family, they’re sure to be a hit. So, grab your cookie cutters and get baking—you won’t be disappointed!
Print
The Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft and chewy Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat to share with loved ones. With a light and buttery texture, topped with a sweet and colorful frosting, these cookies are a festive way to celebrate the occasion. Perfect for gifting, parties, or enjoying with family, these cookies will melt in your mouth!
Ingredients
-
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup sour cream or buttermilk
-
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional, for pink or red colors)
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
-
Make the Sugar Cookie Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add the sour cream or buttermilk and mix until the dough comes together.
-
Shape and Bake the Cookies:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls.
- Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Gently flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass or your hand.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
-
Prepare the Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Gradually add the milk and vanilla extract and beat until fluffy and smooth.
- If you want colored frosting, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each.
- Stir until the color is evenly distributed.
-
Frost the Cookies:
- Once the cookies have completely cooled, spread the frosting on top using a butter knife or offset spatula.
- Decorate with sprinkles or other fun toppings for an extra festive touch.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Enjoy your sweet and soft Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies with loved ones!
Notes
- Make sure your cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- If you prefer a crispier cookie, bake them a little longer. For a softer, chewy texture, remove them from the oven when the edges are just golden.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg