Save Pin These tender, buttery sugar cookies are shaped like hearts, creating a perfect treat for sharing with loved ones. Flavored with vanilla and lightly sweetened, the dough is chilled to maintain shape and baked until edges turn golden. A smooth glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla is spread atop, then decorated with colorful sprinkles to add festive cheer. Ideal for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, these cookies combine simple ingredients for a delightful and charming treat.
The smell of butter and vanilla wafting through the apartment always stops me in my tracks. I started making these heart cookies during college when my roommate and I needed something to do on snowed-in February weekends. Now they are my go-to whenever I want to make someone feel special without saying a word.
Last year I made three batches for my daughters class party and watched the kids carefully choose their favorite colors before taking that first bite. Something about heart shaped cookies makes people slow down and actually savor them instead of grabbing handfuls.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: The backbone that gives these cookies structure while keeping them tender
- Baking powder: Just a touch helps them puff slightly so they are not flat or dense
- Salt: Essential for balancing all that sugar and letting the vanilla shine through
- Unsalted butter: Softening it properly is the key to easy mixing and uniform texture
- Granulated sugar: Creates that classic sugar cookie sweetness and helps with crisp edges
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness for a more satisfying cookie
- Pure vanilla extract: Do not skimp here because real vanilla makes all the difference in flavor
- Powdered sugar: Creates the smoothest silkiest glaze that hardens just right
- Milk: Start with less and add more until you reach the perfect drizzling consistency
- Food coloring and sprinkles: Totally optional but they make these cookies feel extra festive and fun
Instructions
- Whisk the dry ingredients together:
- Combine flour baking powder and salt in a medium bowl so everything is evenly distributed before you start mixing
- Cream the butter and sugar:
- Beat them for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy which helps create the best texture
- Add the egg and vanilla:
- Mix until everything is incorporated and the dough looks smooth and glossy
- Combine the mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients on low speed until a smooth dough forms and no streaks of flour remain
- Chill the dough:
- Divide in half flatten into discs wrap well and refrigerate for at least an hour so the cookies hold their shape
- Prep your workspace:
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup
- Roll and cut:
- Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut heart shapes then transfer carefully to the prepared sheets
- Bake to perfection:
- Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until edges just start turning golden then let them cool briefly before moving
- Make the glaze:
- Whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until smooth then tint with food coloring if you want
- Decorate and set:
- Wait until cookies are completely cool before glazing then add sprinkles and let them set before serving
Save Pin My grandmother always said the best cookies are the ones you make while thinking of someone special. These little hearts have become my way of sending love through food whether for Valentines Day or just a random Tuesday.
Getting The Perfect Thickness
Thickness matters more than you might expect with sugar cookies. Too thin and they become brittle and too thick and the centers stay doughy. I use two chopsticks placed on either side of my dough as a rolling guide for consistent 1/4 inch thickness every single time.
Glaze Consistency Secrets
The perfect glaze should flow off your spoon but hold its shape on the cookie without running off the edges. Start with less milk than the recipe calls for because you can always add more. Thick glaze gives you that pretty opaque look while thin glaze creates delicate drizzles that look almost professional.
Storage And Sharing
These cookies actually taste better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld and the glaze has fully set. Layer them between wax paper in an airtight container and they will stay fresh for a full week at room temperature.
- Freeze unbaked dough discs for up to three months so you can bake fresh cookies anytime
- Stack cooled cookies carefully once the glaze is completely hard to prevent smudging
- Package them in clear bags tied with ribbon for the sweetest homemade gift
Save Pin There is something so satisfying about pulling a tray of perfectly shaped hearts from the oven and watching them disappear one by one.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I keep the cookies tender?
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Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain the cookie’s shape and tenderness. Using softened butter and not overmixing the dough also ensures a tender texture.
- → Can I use different shapes instead of hearts?
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Absolutely! Feel free to use any cookie cutter shape that suits your occasion or preference.
- → What’s the best way to add color to the glaze?
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Add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze mixture and stir gently until you reach the desired shade.
- → How long should the cookies cool before glazing?
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Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack so the glaze spreads smoothly without melting.
- → Can these cookies be stored for later?
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and texture.
