Description
Delight in these classic Valentine Sugar Cookies, perfect for celebrating love with their tender texture and sweet vanilla flavor. Soft, buttery, and shaped into charming hearts, they make an ideal treat for decorating and sharing on Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined to help the cookies rise and maintain texture.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which incorporates air for tender cookies. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just blended to avoid overworking the dough which can cause tough cookies.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Shape them into hearts or leave as rounds according to your preference for a festive Valentine’s theme.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked but still soft inside.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating to ensure the decorations set perfectly.
Notes
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar once cookies have cooled completely.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For more festive flair, add a drop of red or pink food coloring to the dough before baking.
