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Valentine Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting and Glaze Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/valentine-sugar-cookies-with-buttercream-frosting-and-glaze-recipe/