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Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show someone you care, and what better way to do that than with a batch of freshly baked, homemade sugar cookies? These Easy Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and just the right amount of sweetness. They come together in no time, making them a quick and simple treat for any celebration. Decorated with vibrant sprinkles or a light glaze, they are sure to make your Valentine’s Day extra special.

These cookies are not only delicious but also fun to make, whether you’re baking with kids or preparing a batch to share with friends and loved ones. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a batch of beautifully soft sugar cookies that are perfect for any occasion that calls for a little extra sweetness. Add some heart-shaped sprinkles or icing to give them that festive, Valentine’s Day touch. Let’s dive into the recipe and get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Quick and Easy to Make

This sugar cookie recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for last-minute treats or a fun baking activity with friends and family.

2. Soft and Buttery Texture

These sugar cookies are incredibly soft, with a melt-in-your-mouth buttery flavor that everyone will love. The perfect combination of sweetness and texture.

3. Customizable Decorations

You can decorate these cookies however you like—use sprinkles, icing, or colored sugar to make them as festive as you want for Valentine’s Day or any occasion.

4. No Chilling Required

Unlike many sugar cookie recipes, this one doesn’t require chilling the dough, so you can skip the waiting time and get right to baking.

5. Perfect for Gifting

These sugar cookies make an adorable and thoughtful gift for friends, family, or your special someone. Package them up in a cute box or bag for a sweet homemade treat.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
Colored sugar or sprinkles (optional, for decorating)

Variations

Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Add cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate version of these sugar cookies.
Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a fresh, citrusy twist.
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free while still keeping the same soft texture.
Iced Sugar Cookies: Top the cookies with a simple glaze or royal icing to add an extra layer of sweetness and decoration.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This step helps create a tender texture in your cookies.

Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until fully combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.

Step 6: Shape the Dough

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. If you like, roll the dough balls in colored sugar or sprinkles to add a festive touch.

Step 7: Flatten and Bake

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass or your hand to about 1/4 inch thick. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden.

Step 8: Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Decorate and Serve

Once the cookies are fully cooled, feel free to decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Recipe

Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for the best texture in the dough.
Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the cookies as they bake. They should be just lightly golden around the edges. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies.
Roll the Dough Balls Evenly: Try to make the dough balls as uniform in size as possible for even baking.
Chill the Dough for Better Shape: If the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before shaping the cookies.

How to Serve

These Easy Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies are perfect for gifting, serving at a party, or simply enjoying with a glass of milk. They can be arranged in a festive cookie jar or packaged in a cute gift bag to share with friends and family. Pair them with hot chocolate, coffee, or a cup of tea for a lovely treat during the winter months.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’ve decorated them with icing, be sure to let the icing set before stacking the cookies.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough if you want to make the cookies ahead of time. Roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To reheat the cookies, place them in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 3–5 minutes to warm them up. If they’ve been iced, let them cool completely before reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Yes, a hand mixer will work just fine for creaming the butter and sugar together.

2. How can I make these cookies dairy-free?

Substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative and use a dairy-free egg substitute to make these cookies dairy-free.

3. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure to chill the dough if it’s too soft, and don’t flatten the dough balls too much before baking.

4. Can I use a different sugar for rolling the dough?

Yes, you can use colored sugar, sprinkles, or even granulated sugar to roll the dough before baking.

5. How can I make the cookies extra festive?

You can drizzle the cookies with icing, add sprinkles, or use food coloring in the dough for a fun, colorful twist.

6. How long do these cookies last?

These cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days if stored properly in an airtight container.

7. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days before baking. If you’re freezing the dough, you can store it for up to 2 months.

8. How do I decorate the cookies?

You can decorate them with royal icing, glaze, or simple sprinkles. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent the decorations from melting.

9. Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Self-rising flour already contains baking powder, so if you substitute it, you’ll need to omit the baking soda and adjust the amount of sugar.

10. Can I make these cookies with cookie cutters?

Yes, you can roll the dough out and use heart-shaped or any cookie cutter to make shaped sugar cookies. Just make sure to adjust the baking time for the size of the cookies.

Conclusion

Easy Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies are the perfect way to show someone you care while indulging in a sweet treat. With their soft texture, buttery flavor, and festive decorations, these cookies are sure to make your Valentine’s Day extra special. Simple to make and easy to customize, this recipe is a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday. Whether you’re gifting them or enjoying them yourself, these sugar cookies will be a hit with everyone who takes a bite!