Delicate, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these Valentine Butter Cookies are the perfect sweet treat to show your love! Shaped into hearts and decorated with pink and red icing, these cookies are as beautiful as they are tasty. Whether you’re baking them for someone special or enjoying them with friends, they’re guaranteed to spread joy with every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Valentine Butter Cookies
- Buttery Perfection: They’re soft, rich, and crumbly in all the right ways.
- Fun to Decorate: Make it a family activity or get creative with romantic designs.
- Perfect for Gifting: Pack them up in a cute box or jar for a sweet Valentine’s gift.
- Easy to Make: The dough is simple and forgiving, making it ideal for bakers of all levels.
Ingredients for Valentine Butter Cookies
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract for a nutty twist)
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Decoration:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (or more for desired consistency)
- Red and pink food coloring
- Sprinkles, edible glitter, or heart-shaped decorations
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rolling pin
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Piping bags or a spoon for decorating
How to Make Valentine Butter Cookies
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this helps the cookies hold their shape).
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Prepare the Icing
- In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar with milk until smooth and pourable.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and add red or pink food coloring as desired.
Step 6: Decorate
- Use a piping bag or spoon to drizzle or spread the icing on the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles or decorations while the icing is still wet.
- Let the icing set for about 30 minutes before serving or packaging.
Serving Suggestions
- Sweet Pairing: Enjoy with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate for the perfect afternoon treat.
- Gift Idea: Wrap the cookies in festive boxes or jars tied with ribbons for a thoughtful Valentine’s gift.
- Party Platter: Arrange them on a tray for a Valentine’s party dessert spread.
Tips for the Best Valentine Butter Cookies
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough ensures the cookies don’t spread too much in the oven.
- Use High-Quality Butter: Since the flavor is buttery-rich, good-quality butter makes a difference.
- Customize the Icing: Add a drop of lemon juice or almond extract for extra flavor.
- Perfect Consistency: If the icing is too thick, add a little more milk. If it’s too runny, mix in more powdered sugar.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw and decorate when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for 1 month.
Q2: What if I don’t have heart-shaped cookie cutters?
A: You can use any shape you like, or even cut the dough into squares or circles with a knife or glass.
Q3: Can I use royal icing instead of powdered sugar icing?
A: Absolutely! Royal icing will give you a firmer, glossy finish if that’s your preference.
Conclusion: A Sweet Valentine’s Treat
These Valentine Butter Cookies are the perfect way to show someone you care. Their buttery texture and sweet, festive decorations make them a hit for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re baking for your sweetheart or treating yourself, these cookies are sure to spread the love!
Did you make this recipe? Share your photos with us, and let us know how they turned out!
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Nutritional Information (per cookie)
Calories: 150
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 0g
Bake, decorate, and share the love!
Print
Valentine Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Description
Delicate, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these Valentine Butter Cookies are the perfect sweet treat to show your love! Shaped into hearts and decorated with pink and red icing, these cookies are as beautiful as they are tasty. Whether you’re baking them for someone special or enjoying them with friends, they’re guaranteed to spread joy with every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract for a nutty twist)
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Decoration:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (or more for desired consistency)
- Red and pink food coloring
- Sprinkles, edible glitter, or heart-shaped decorations
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this helps the cookies hold their shape).
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Prepare the Icing
- In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar with milk until smooth and pourable.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and add red or pink food coloring as desired.
Step 6: Decorate
- Use a piping bag or spoon to drizzle or spread the icing on the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles or decorations while the icing is still wet.
- Let the icing set for about 30 minutes before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough ensures the cookies don’t spread too much in the oven.
- Use High-Quality Butter: Since the flavor is buttery-rich, good-quality butter makes a difference.
- Customize the Icing: Add a drop of lemon juice or almond extract for extra flavor.
- Perfect Consistency: If the icing is too thick, add a little more milk. If it’s too runny, mix in more powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chilling Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Cuisine: American
