Valentine Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting and Glaze Recipe

Introduction

This Valentine Sugar Cookie recipe is perfect for celebrating love with a sweet, tender treat. Soft and flavorful cookies are beautifully decorated with either creamy buttercream frosting or a glossy glaze, making them ideal for sharing or gifting.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup butter (salted, cold & cut into chunks, 2 sticks)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 cup butter (softened, 1 stick) for buttercream frosting
• 4 cups powdered sugar for buttercream frosting
• 1 tsp vanilla extract for buttercream frosting
• 2 tbsp milk (or more as needed) for buttercream frosting
• 2 cups powdered sugar for glaze
• 3 tbsp milk for glaze
• 1/2 tsp vanilla for glaze
• 1-2 drops liquid food coloring (red) for glaze
• Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder; set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, cream the cold butter chunks with granulated sugar until fluffy. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
5. Step 5: On a floured surface, roll the dough out to just over 1/4 inch thick. Use heart, X, and O cookie cutters to cut shapes, then place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Freeze the shaped cookies for 5 to 7 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking.
7. Step 7: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
8. Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
9. Step 9: If using buttercream frosting: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
10. Step 10: Mix on low to start, then slowly add milk tablespoon by tablespoon until the frosting is creamy and spreads easily but holds its shape.
11. Step 11: Once smooth and creamy, frost the cooled cookies as desired.
12. Step 12: If using glaze: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth and runny.
13. Step 13: Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, then place on a cooling rack to let excess drip down.
14. Step 14: Immediately add Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles on top before the glaze sets.
15. Step 15: Allow the glaze to dry for 1 to 2 hours before serving or packaging.

Tips & Variations

• For perfectly shaped cookies, chill the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to handle.
• Use almond extract sparingly to enhance flavor without overpowering the vanilla.
• Try different food coloring or sprinkles to suit other occasions or themes.
• Buttercream frosting can be tinted with food coloring for more colorful decorations.
• If glaze is too thick, add a little more milk a few drops at a time for the right consistency.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If decorated with glaze, allow it to fully harden before stacking to avoid sticking. Buttercream-frosted cookies are best eaten within 2-3 days or can be refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving. Both types freeze well for up to 3 months—thaw in a sealed container.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, salted butter can be used, but omit adding extra salt to the recipe to avoid over-seasoning.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chilling the dough before cutting and baking helps cookies keep their shape. Also, make sure the butter is cold but not melted before mixing.

Valentine Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting and Glaze Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 53 reviews

This Valentine Sugar Cookie Recipe features tender, buttery heart-shaped cookies perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day. The recipe includes options for decorating with either a smooth, creamy buttercream frosting or a sweet, tinted glaze topped with festive sprinkles, making these cookies both beautiful and delicious.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup butter (salted, cold, cut into chunks, 2 sticks)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract

Buttercream Frosting (Optional)

• 1/2 cup butter (softened, 1 stick)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk (or more as needed)

Glaze (Optional)

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 drops red liquid food coloring
• Sprinkles (Valentine’s Day themed)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and baking powder, then set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the cold, chunked butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
4. Combine Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until a dough forms.
5. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough out to just over 1/4 inch thick. Cut shapes using heart-shaped or X and O cookie cutters.
6. Freeze Dough: Place the cut cookies onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, then freeze for 5-7 minutes to help them hold their shape while baking.
7. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven until the edges are lightly golden.
8. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
9. Make Buttercream Frosting (Optional): Measure softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla into a large bowl or stand mixer bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, cream butter into the powdered sugar.
10. Add Milk to Frosting: With the mixer running, slowly add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is creamy and holds its shape but is spreadable. This usually takes 2-3 tablespoons of milk.
11. Frost Cookies: Use a butter knife or rubber scraper to spread the buttercream frosting onto cooled cookies as desired.
12. Make Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until smooth and runny.
13. Glaze Cookies: Dip each cooled cookie into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then place on a cooling rack.
14. Decorate Cookies: Immediately top glazed cookies with Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles before glaze sets.
15. Dry Glaze: Allow the glazed cookies to dry for 1-2 hours until the glaze is firm.

Notes

• Freezing the dough before baking helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading.
• The recipe offers two decorating options: a rich buttercream frosting or a sweet glaze. Choose one or try both for variety.
• If the buttercream frosting is too stiff, add milk a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
• Cookies should be completely cool before frosting or glazing to prevent melting.
• Use unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture and flavor.
• Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: valentine sugar cookies, heart-shaped cookies, buttercream frosting, sugar cookie glaze, valentine’s day desserts, sugar cookies recipe