There’s something magical about baking a batch of heart-shaped sugar cookies. The aroma of buttery vanilla fills the kitchen, and the sight of perfectly decorated treats instantly brings a smile. These cookies are crisp on the edges, soft in the center, and just the right amount of sweet.

I started making these cookies years ago for Valentine’s Day, and now they’ve become a tradition in our home. Whether you’re making them for a loved one, a classroom party, or just to treat yourself, these heart-shaped sugar cookies are sure to spread joy.
Why You’ll Love These Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Get ready to fall in love with the perfect Valentine’s treat. These sugar cookies are more than just pretty—they're irresistibly delicious and incredibly fun to make.
First, they have the ideal texture. They hold their shape beautifully when baked, staying crisp on the edges while remaining soft and chewy in the center. No more worrying about cookies spreading too much!
They’re also easy to customize. Whether you prefer classic royal icing, buttercream frosting, or a simple sprinkle of sugar, you can decorate them however you like. The possibilities are endless!
Not to mention, these cookies are a great activity for all ages. Kids love cutting out the heart shapes and decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles. It’s the perfect family-friendly baking project.
Best of all, this recipe uses simple pantry staples. You probably already have everything you need to whip up a batch right now. Let’s dive into the ingredients!
Ingredients Notes

The beauty of these heart-shaped sugar cookies lies in their simplicity. A few basic ingredients come together to create a cookie that’s both delicious and sturdy enough for decorating.
Unsalted butter is key to achieving that rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt in the recipe.
Granulated sugar provides the perfect sweetness while helping to create that crisp edge and soft center. Don’t substitute brown sugar, as it will alter the texture.
Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the cookies. For an extra touch of elegance, add a splash of almond extract—it gives them a subtle, bakery-style flavor.
All-purpose flour is the foundation of the dough. Be sure to measure correctly by spooning the flour into your measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly from the bag. This prevents a dry, crumbly dough.
Egg acts as a binder and adds structure. Use a large egg at room temperature for the best results.
If you plan to decorate, you’ll need powdered sugar, food coloring, and sprinkles for icing. A simple royal icing or a vanilla glaze works beautifully on these cookies.
How To Make These Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies

Making these sugar cookies is a fun and rewarding process. Follow these steps to ensure perfect results every time.
Start by creaming together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a soft, tender cookie.
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. If you’re using almond extract, this is the time to add it. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix—stop as soon as the flour is fully incorporated.
Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies, then transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Now comes the fun part—decorating! Prepare your icing, color it with food coloring, and pipe designs onto your cookies. Let the icing set before serving or storing.
Storage Options
These heart-shaped sugar cookies store beautifully, so you can make them ahead of time.
For short-term storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
If you want to freeze the cookies, you have two options:
- Freeze the dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling out and baking.
- Freeze baked cookies: Once completely cooled, store undecorated cookies in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Let them come to room temperature before decorating.
To reheat or refresh cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This revives their texture without overbaking.
Variations and Substitutions
This sugar cookie recipe is wonderfully adaptable, so feel free to get creative!
For a chocolate twist, replace ¼ cup of the flour with cocoa powder to create a rich, chocolatey cookie base.
Want a gluten-free version? Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum for structure.
For a lemon-flavored cookie, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough and replace half of the vanilla extract with fresh lemon juice. It gives the cookies a bright, citrusy touch.
If you love spiced cookies, try adding ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dough. It’s a warm, cozy twist, perfect for winter.
You can also experiment with different cookie cutter shapes—stars, circles, or even initials make these cookies perfect for other occasions.
No matter how you customize them, these heart-shaped sugar cookies are guaranteed to bring joy. Happy baking!
PrintHeart-shaped Sugar Cookies: A Valentine’s Delight Recipe
These heart-shaped sugar cookies are a Valentine’s Day classic! With a buttery texture and a hint of vanilla, they’re perfect for decorating with royal icing or sprinkles. Easy to make and fun for all ages, these cookies are a sweet way to celebrate love.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on a wire rack before decorating as desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
- Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar for a festive touch.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
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