Valentine’s Day… it just screams “bake something adorable,” right? For me, it always brings back memories of being in the kitchen with my mom and sisters, flour everywhere, trying to make the perfect heart-shaped treats. We didn’t always succeed (burnt edges, anyone?), but it was always fun. And that’s really what it’s all about!
This year, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for Love Heart Sugar Cookies. Seriously, these are so easy to make, even if you’re not a baking whiz. Plus, they’re super shareable – perfect for gifting to your sweetheart, your kids’ classmates, or just keeping all to yourself (no judgment here!). They’re festive, they’re fun, and they’re guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face. Trust me, you’ll be popping these Love Heart Sugar Cookies out so fast, you’ll have plenty to share!
Why You’ll Love These Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Okay, seriously, you HAVE to make these! Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you:
- They’re crazy easy – even if you think you can’t bake, you CAN bake these!
- Hello, they’re festive! I mean, heart-shaped cookies for Valentine’s Day? Cuteness overload!
- Super shareable! Make a big batch and spread the love (literally!).
- Delicious, obviously! Sweet, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good.
- Totally customizable! Change up the icing, the sprinkles, whatever your heart desires.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day
These Love Heart Sugar Cookies just scream Valentine’s Day, don’t they? They’re the perfect homemade gift, a sweet treat to share with your family, or just a fun way to celebrate the day of love. Nothing says “I care” like a batch of freshly baked cookies!
Simple Love Heart Sugar Cookies Recipe
Don’t be intimidated by baking! This Love Heart Sugar Cookies recipe is seriously straightforward. I’ve broken it down into easy-to-follow steps so even beginner bakers can whip up a batch with confidence. If I can do it, you totally can too!
Customizable Love Heart Sugar Cookies
My favorite part about these cookies is how easy they are to customize! Want pink icing? Go for it! Red sprinkles? Absolutely! Get creative with your decorating and make these Love Heart Sugar Cookies your own. The possibilities are truly endless!
Ingredients for Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! You’ll need: 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (softened, please!), 2 cups granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, 5 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling!), 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, sugar cookie icing (pink or red, of course!), and Valentine’s Day sprinkles. So cute!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Okay, so a few notes here! That butter? It *has* to be softened – trust me, it makes a difference. For a dairy-free option, you can try a vegan butter substitute, but the texture might be a little different. If you’re gluten-free, use a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. And hey, if you’re watching your sugar, you *could* experiment with a sugar alternative, but I haven’t tried it myself, so let me know how it goes! The flour is super important for the structure, and the baking powder helps them puff up just a bit. Don’t skip the salt – it balances the sweetness!
How to Make Love Heart Sugar Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get baking! Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step. Just follow along, and you’ll have a batch of adorable Love Heart Sugar Cookies in no time!
Preparing the Love Heart Sugar Cookie Dough
First, cream together that softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is where a mixer comes in handy, but you can totally do it by hand if you’re feeling ambitious! Next, mix in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – that’ll make your cookies tough!
Chilling and Rolling Out Your Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Okay, this part is crucial: chilling the dough! Divide the dough into four pieces, shape them into discs, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Pop them in the fridge for at least 2 hours – or even overnight. This helps the dough firm up and prevents the cookies from spreading too much when baking. When you’re ready to roll, preheat your oven to 400°F. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-¼ inch thickness. Not too thin, not too thick!
Baking Your Love Heart Sugar Cookies to Perfection
Now for the fun part! Cut out your heart shapes with cookie cutters (obviously!) and transfer them to an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes, but keep a close eye on them – they can burn quickly! You want them to be lightly golden around the edges. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating. Trust me, they’ll be too fragile to move while they’re still warm!
Decorating Your Festive Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Once your Love Heart Sugar Cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate! Frost them with your favorite sugar cookie icing (pink or red, naturally!) and add a generous sprinkle of Valentine’s Day sprinkles. Get creative! You can pipe on different designs, use different colors of icing, or even add edible glitter. Let the icing set completely before stacking or storing the cookies. And that’s it – you’re done! Enjoy your beautiful (and delicious) Love Heart Sugar Cookies!
Tips for the Best Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Want to make sure your Love Heart Sugar Cookies turn out absolutely perfect? Of course, you do! Here are a few of my top tips:
- Room temperature butter is key! Seriously, don’t skip this step. It creams so much better, and that makes for a tender cookie.
- Don’t overbake! I can’t stress this enough. These cookies bake quickly, so keep a close eye on them. You want them to be just lightly golden around the edges.
- Let them cool completely before decorating. I know, it’s tempting to start frosting right away, but trust me, you’ll end up with a melty mess. Patience, my friend!
Follow these tips, and you’ll be a Love Heart Sugar Cookie pro in no time!
FAQ About Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Got questions about these Love Heart Sugar Cookies? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me:
Can I make Love Heart Sugar Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These Love Heart Sugar Cookies are great for making in advance. You can bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Or, you can freeze the unbaked dough for up to a month. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking! So convenient!
How do I prevent my Love Heart Sugar Cookies from spreading?
Spreading is the enemy! To avoid flat, sad cookies, make sure your butter is properly softened (but not melted!), chill the dough thoroughly, and don’t skip the baking powder. Also, a hot oven is key! If your oven runs cool, crank it up a bit. That should help keep those Love Heart Sugar Cookies nice and shapely.
What’s the best icing for Love Heart Sugar Cookies?
Ooh, good question! I usually go for a classic sugar cookie icing – it’s easy to make and tastes delicious. But you could also use royal icing for a more detailed look, or even just a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk. It really depends on your preference and how fancy you’re feeling! Have fun with it!
Storing Your Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Okay, so you’ve made these gorgeous Love Heart Sugar Cookies…now what? Well, if you have any leftovers (doubtful!), you’ll want to store them properly. The best way is in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 days…if they last that long! You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just make sure they’re completely cooled and well-wrapped. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature. Easy peasy!
Nutritional Information for Love Heart Sugar Cookies
Okay, let’s talk numbers! Now, keep in mind that this is just an estimate, but each Love Heart Sugar Cookie clocks in at around 200 calories, 10g of fat, 2g of protein, and 25g of carbs. Hey, it’s a treat! Enjoy it, and don’t sweat the small stuff too much!
Share Your Love Heart Sugar Cookies Creations!
I seriously can’t wait to see what you create! Once you’ve made your Love Heart Sugar Cookies, snap a pic and share it on social media! Don’t forget to tag me! And be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. Did you change anything up? What were your favorite sprinkles? I want to hear all about it!
Print
Easy Love Heart Sugar Cookies: A Foolproof Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 38 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make festive Love Heart Sugar Cookies for Valentine’s Day. These delightful treats are perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Sugar cookie icing, dyed pink or red
- Valentine’s Day sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and extract.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture in batches, stirring until combined.
- Divide dough into four pieces, shape into discs, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Roll dough out on a floured surface until ⅛”-¼” thick.
- Cut with heart cookie cutters and transfer to an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, watching closely. Remove cookies immediately from the baking sheet and let cool.
- Repeat with remaining dough, ensuring pans are cool.
- Decorate with icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.
- Ensure baking sheets are cool before adding more cookie dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
