Description
These heart-shaped sugar cookies are the perfect sweet treat for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any special occasion. Soft, buttery, and easy to decorate, they combine classic sugar cookie flavors with a festive shape, making them a delightful centerpiece for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Decoration (Optional)
- Royal icing or colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes, using an electric mixer or by hand to create a smooth, airy base.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Incorporate the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until fully combined to infuse the dough with flavor and moisture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough forms a cohesive texture without overworking it to keep cookies tender.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to firm up the dough for easier cutting and better cookie shape.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll and Cut Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough disc to about ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies, then place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the edges become just lightly golden, ensuring the centers remain soft and chewy.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to avoid sogginess.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing, glaze, or colored sprinkles as desired to enhance their festive appeal.
Notes
- Chilling the dough before baking helps the cookies retain their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- These heart-shaped sugar cookies are perfect for occasions like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any celebration that calls for a sweet touch.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
