These pretty-in-pink heart cut-out cookies are a delightful treat. Bake a batch for Valentine’s Day or any time you want to show someone you care. The cookies are delicious and the recipe is simple to follow.
They’re fun to make with kids and make charming gifts for teachers, neighbors, or co-workers.
We bake these every Valentine’s Day for my husband. Decorating together and making a special dinner has become one of our family traditions.
Even though my daughter Tori no longer lives at home, she tries to come back around Valentine’s Day so we can celebrate together. When she was younger she loved giving these cookies to her teachers in clear goodie bags tied with ribbon—such a sweet way to show appreciation.
My son Josh carried on the tradition when he was in grade school. He’s 14 now and thinks he’s too old to hand out cookies at school, but we still plan to share a few with neighbors and the ladies at my husband’s office.
These cookies aren’t just for Valentine’s Day—they work for Christmas, Easter, and any occasion. Simply switch the shape of the cookie cutter and change the icing color to match the holiday.
The recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and is easy to prepare. Have fun baking—these cookies are as tasty as they are beautiful.
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Heart Cut-Out Cookies
Yields: 12–18 cookies, depending on cutter size.
What you’ll need to make a batch of these beautiful heart cookies
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large or extra-large egg, room temperature if possible
Icing Ingredients:
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tsp cold water or milk (add more if needed)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt or kosher salt
- Pink food coloring gel or colored food drops (use a little at a time to reach desired shade)
- White sugar pearls, optional
How these cookies are prepared
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line rimmed cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until fluffy. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until fully incorporated. The dough will be stiff. Do not refrigerate.
- Shape the dough into a ball, place it on a nonstick surface or parchment, and roll out to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cutter (or any shape you prefer) to cut cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting.
- Bake for 7–10 minutes, until the tops show only slight browning. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet on a wire rack until firm enough to transfer, then cool completely on the rack.
- To make the icing, whisk powdered sugar with the water or milk, then add vanilla and salt. Whisk until smooth, adding more liquid if necessary to reach spreading consistency. Add pink coloring a little at a time until you reach the desired shade.
- Spread the icing on cooled cookies with a small offset spatula, butter knife, or small rubber spatula. Alternatively, pipe the icing from a small zip-top bag with the corner snipped. If desired, add sugar pearls while the icing is still wet. Let the icing set before stacking or packaging.
Enjoy the pink deliciousness!
More cookie recipes to enjoy
Cake Mix Red Velvet Cookies
Sprinkle Pudding Cookies
Lemon Glazed Cookies
White Chocolate Pudding Cookies
Dainty Tea Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature if possible
Icing Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp cold water or milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt or kosher salt
- Pink food coloring gel or colored food drops
- White sugar pearls, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
- Cream butter until fluffy, then add sugar, egg, and vanilla; mix until combined.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to wet ingredients and mix until a stiff dough forms.
- Roll dough to 1/4–1/2 inch thickness, cut shapes, and place on prepared sheets. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Bake 7–10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.
- Whisk powdered sugar with water or milk, add vanilla and salt, and mix until smooth. Add coloring a little at a time.
- Spread or pipe icing on cooled cookies and add sugar pearls while icing is wet. Let set before serving.
So yummy!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy these pretty and delicious cookies.
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