Valentine Sugar Cookies: Easy Step-by-Step + Irish Dessert Twist

valentine sugar cookies, the little hearts of February, have always held a special place in my memories. I remember making these with my grandmother every year, her hands dusted with flour, her laughter echoing through the kitchen. Those cookies weren’t just desserts; they were tiny vessels filled with love, tradition, and a whole lot of sugar. Get ready to create your own sweet memories with this fantastic recipe for valentine sugar cookies!

Why You Will Love This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

This recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a shortcut to a heartwarming experience. It’s easy enough for even beginner bakers to tackle, yet still boasts bakery quality results. The aroma that fills your kitchen while these bake is pure magic, and the taste? Oh, the taste! Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, our valentine sugar cookies are guaranteed to become a family favorite. But don’t just take my word for it. Try some similar holiday cookies!

Ingredients Needed for This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to bake up a batch of unforgettable valentine sugar cookies. Remember to measure carefully for the best results!

For the Cookies:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 6 8 tablespoons water
• Gel food coloring for decorating

How to Make This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

Time to get baking! Follow these simple step by step instructions and you’ll be enjoying homemade valentine sugar cookies in no time.

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling is key for preventing spreading.
6. Preheat Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
7. Cut Out Shapes: Use Valentine’s Day themed cookie cutters (hearts, cupids, etc.) to cut out cookies. Reroll scraps as needed.
8. Bake: Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Make Royal Icing: In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a smooth consistency. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
11. 11. Decorate: Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing. Let the icing dry completely before storing. Follow us on Pinterest for more yummy baking ideas!

How to Serve This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

These valentine sugar cookies are perfect on their own as a sweet treat, or they can be part of a larger dessert platter. Consider serving them with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

For an extra touch, you could even package them up in small cellophane bags and give them as gifts to your loved ones.

How to Store This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

Proper storage is key to keeping your valentine sugar cookies fresh and delicious.

• Refrigeration: While not necessary, you can store iced cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This can help retain moisture, especially in warmer climates.
• Freezing: You can freeze undecorated sugar cookies for up to 3 months. Store them in a single layer in a freezer safe container to prevent freezer burn. Iced cookies can also be frozen, but the icing may crack slightly upon thawing.
• Reheating: No reheating is needed, simply thaw at room temperature.
• Shelf Life: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Tips to Make This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

Want to bake the absolute best valentine sugar cookies? Here are a few helpful tips:

• Ingredient Swaps: For a dairy free version, use a plant based butter substitute.
• Success Tips: Chilling the dough is crucial! It prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Common Mistakes to Avoid: Overmixing the dough can result in tough cookies. Be sure to mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
• Pro Tips for Best Results: Use a quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.

Helpful Notes for This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

A few extra details to ensure your valentine sugar cookies are perfect:

• Meringue Powder: Meringue powder stabilizes the royal icing, helping it to harden properly. You can find it at most craft stores or online.
• Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is preferred over liquid food coloring because it provides more vibrant colors without thinning the icing.
• Cookie Cutters: Have fun experimenting with different cookie cutter shapes for a festive look!

Variation of This valentine sugar cookies Recipe

Looking to mix things up? Here are a few fun variations to try:

• Seasonal Twists: For St. Patrick’s Day, try adding a touch of green food coloring to the dough and use shamrock cutters for some fun Irish themed desserts, or try using a mint extract in place of vanilla.
• Optional Versions: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Creative Modifications: Sandwich the cookies with a layer of jam or Nutella for an extra special treat.

Conclusion

These valentine sugar cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a symbol of love, care, and sweet memories. Gather your loved ones, bake a batch, and share the joy. Create memories that will last a lifetime! Try these delightful valentine sugar cookies today!

Valentine Sugar Cookies: Easy Step-by-Step + Irish Dessert Twist

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• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 36 cookies 1x

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Description

Soft and buttery Valentine’s Day sugar cookies, perfect for decorating with royal icing and sharing with loved ones.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• **For the Royal Icing:**
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 6 8 tablespoons water
• Gel food coloring for decorating

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Instructions

1. 1. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. 2. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
3. 3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. 4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. 5. Divide dough, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
6. 6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.
7. 7. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
8. 8. Bake for 8 10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
9. 9. Cool on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
10. 10. Whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add water until smooth. Divide and color icing.
11. 11. Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing. Let dry completely.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 30mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: sugar cookies, valentine's day, baking, royal icing