Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies
Key Ingredients for Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies :
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- Food coloring (pink, red, white, etc.)
For Decorating:
- Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles (hearts, edible glitter, nonpareils, etc.)
## How to Make Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies :
These Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies are incredibly easy to whip up, making them the perfect treat to share or enjoy with loved ones. Their delightful sweetness, charming appearance, and satisfying texture are guaranteed to impress. With a preparation time of just 45 minutes, you can create a batch of these festive cookies quickly and enjoy their delicious homemade goodness.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
For the Sugar Cookies:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough will be soft.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days) until firm. This chilling step is crucial for easy handling and clean cuts.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Using your favorite Valentine’s Day cookie cutters (hearts, X’s, O’s, cupid’s arrows), cut out shapes and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as this will make them crisp rather than soft and chewy.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set up properly before decorating.
For the Royal Icing:
- In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk or water, and vanilla or almond extract.
- Whisk until smooth and the mixture reaches a thick but pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add more liquid a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to achieve your desired shades for Valentine’s Day.
For Decorating:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spoon or pipe the royal icing onto the cookies. You can flood the entire cookie or create decorative patterns.
- While the icing is still wet, sprinkle generously with Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles or edible glitter.
- Allow the icing to dry completely, which can take several hours, depending on humidity.
## Why You’ll Love This Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies :
You’ll adore these Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies for their incredibly tender, buttery crumb and sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s far superior to any store-bought option. The simple elegance of the creamy, sweet frosting, customizable with vibrant Valentine’s Day colors, elevates these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary, making them a showstopper for any celebration. Imagine the joy of biting into a perfectly baked cookie, each one a little piece of edible art.
Beyond their delightful taste and appearance, these Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies offer a wonderfully budget-friendly way to express your love. Making them at home significantly cuts down on costs compared to purchasing pre-made or custom-decorated cookies, allowing you to spread the sweet cheer without breaking the bank. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is a reward in itself! So, why wait? Gather your loved ones, put on some festive music, and whip up a batch of these charming cookies for a truly memorable Valentine’s Day.
## Storing and Reheating Tips :
- Storing Baked Cookies (Unfrosted): Once completely cooled, unfrosted sugar cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Placing parchment paper between layers will prevent them from sticking.
- Storing Baked Cookies (Frosted): Ensure the royal icing is completely dry before storing frosted cookies. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Avoid stacking them tightly, as the frosting can smudge.
- Freezing Unfrosted Cookies: You can freeze unfrosted sugar cookie dough shapes before baking or baked and cooled unfrosted cookies. Wrap individual dough shapes or cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Freezing Frosted Cookies: It is generally not recommended to freeze frosted sugar cookies with royal icing, as the texture of the icing can change upon thawing.
- Reheating: These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature and do not require reheating. If they have become slightly stale, a very brief warming in a low oven (around 200°F/95°C) for a minute or two can sometimes refresh them, but do so with extreme caution to avoid burning or drying them out too much.
## Final Thoughts :
These Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies are a delightful classic, perfect for adding a sweet touch to your celebrations. Give them a try this Valentine’s Day; your homemade creations are sure to be a hit!
Best Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.1 cup unsalted butter, 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix. The dough will be soft.2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon salt
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days) until firm. This chilling step is crucial for easy handling and clean cuts.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness.2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- Using your favorite Valentine’s Day cookie cutters (hearts, X’s, O’s, cupid’s arrows), cut out shapes and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as this will make them crisp rather than soft and chewy.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set up properly before decorating.
- In a medium bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk or water, and vanilla or almond extract.4 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk or water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- Whisk until smooth and the mixture reaches a thick but pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add more liquid a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.4 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk or water
- Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to achieve your desired shades for Valentine’s Day.food coloring
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spoon or pipe the royal icing onto the cookies. You can flood the entire cookie or create decorative patterns.
- While the icing is still wet, sprinkle generously with Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles or edible glitter.Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles
- Allow the icing to dry completely, which can take several hours, depending on humidity.