Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to bake cookies for the people you care about. Cookies are easy to make, fun to decorate, and simple to share with friends, family, or that special someone.
Whether you prefer classic flavors or want to try something new, homemade cookies show thoughtfulness and effort.
This collection includes nine different cookie recipes that range from simple butter cookies to chocolate-covered treats and fruit-filled options. You’ll find recipes for traditional heart-shaped designs, rich chocolate flavors, and sweet frosted varieties.
Each recipe offers a different way to celebrate the holiday through baking.
Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Heart-shaped sugar cookies are a classic Valentine’s Day treat that never goes out of style. These cookies combine a soft, buttery texture with crisp edges that hold their shape well when baked.
You can decorate them with royal icing, buttercream frosting, or simply dust them with colored sugar.
Ingredients
You’ll need all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and eggs to form the base of your dough. Add vanilla extract for flavor and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
Baking powder helps the cookies maintain their shape without spreading too much. For decorating, gather powdered sugar, milk, and food coloring to make royal icing.
You can also use buttercream frosting if you prefer a softer topping. Keep sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar on hand for added decoration.
Cooking Instructions
Start by beating softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add your eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix until a dough forms, being careful not to overwork it. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your shapes.
Place the cutouts on a lined baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
The centers should look slightly underbaked. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Wait until the cookies are completely cool before decorating. Mix your icing to the desired consistency and apply it with a piping bag or knife.
Add sprinkles or other decorations while the icing is still wet.
Serving Suggestion
Arrange your decorated cookies on a serving platter for a festive display. You can package individual cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for gift-giving.
These cookies pair well with hot chocolate, coffee, or a glass of cold milk. Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
If you’ve used royal icing, wait 24 hours for it to fully harden before stacking the cookies. You can freeze undecorated cookies for up to three months.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Red velvet crinkle cookies bring the taste of red velvet cake into a simple cookie format. The bright red color and white powdered sugar coating make them look nice on any Valentine’s Day cookie plate.
These cookies have a light cocoa flavor and a soft, chewy texture. The powdered sugar creates cracks on the surface as they bake, which is where the “crinkle” name comes from.
Ingredients
You will need one box of red velvet cake mix as your base. Add 2 eggs and 1/3 cup of softened butter to help bind everything together.
Keep 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in a separate bowl for rolling the cookies before baking. This creates the white coating that cracks during baking.
Cooking Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix the cake mix, eggs, and softened butter in a bowl until a dough forms.
Scoop about one tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball with your hands. Roll each ball in the powdered sugar until completely coated.
Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these cookies on a Valentine’s Day dessert platter alongside other holiday treats. They pair well with milk, coffee, or hot chocolate.
You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Stack them with parchment paper between layers to keep the powdered sugar coating from rubbing off.
Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies bring a simple buttery flavor that pairs well with chocolate. These cookies need just a few basic ingredients and work great for Valentine’s Day.
The recipe makes about 24 cookies that you can share with family or friends. The dipping process adds a nice touch without making the cookies too complicated.
You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate based on what you like. Some people prefer to dip half the cookie while others coat the whole thing.
Ingredients
You need 1 cup of softened butter for the cookie base. Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to keep the texture light.
Mix in 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. For the chocolate coating, get 8 ounces of your chosen chocolate.
You can also grab some sprinkles or crushed candy for decoration if you want.
Cooking Instructions
Beat the butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture looks smooth. Add the flour and salt, then mix until a dough forms.
The dough should come together without being sticky. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
Use heart-shaped cookie cutters or any Valentine’s shape you have. Place the cut cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 325°F for 12 to 15 minutes. The edges should turn light golden brown.
Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before you move them. Melt your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals.
Stir between each interval until the chocolate is smooth. Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the melted chocolate.
Place the dipped cookies back on the parchment paper. Add sprinkles or decorations while the chocolate is still wet.
Let the chocolate harden at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Serving Suggestion
These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to one week. You can stack them with parchment paper between layers to protect the chocolate.
They work well on a dessert plate with other Valentine’s treats. Pack them in a decorative box or tin to give as gifts.
The cookies also pair nicely with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Peanut butter blossom cookies are soft, chewy treats that combine peanut butter and chocolate in every bite. For Valentine’s Day, you can top them with heart-shaped chocolates instead of the traditional chocolate kisses.
The cookies have a slightly crisp edge and a tender center. These cookies work well for Valentine’s Day parties or as gifts.
You can make them ahead of time since they stay fresh for several days when stored properly.
Ingredients
You will need 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, and 1/4 cup softened butter. Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to your ingredient list.
For the dry ingredients, measure out 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. You also need 1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling and about 24 heart-shaped chocolates for topping.
Cooking Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or leave them ungreased.
Mix the butter, peanut butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
Stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add these dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture and mix until a dough forms.
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until coated.
Place the balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a chocolate heart into the center of each cookie. The cookies will crack slightly around the edges, which is normal.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This waiting time helps the chocolate hearts set properly.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these cookies at room temperature so the chocolate stays firm. You can arrange them on a decorative plate or package them in clear bags tied with red or pink ribbon.
These cookies pair well with cold milk or hot chocolate. They also work as part of a dessert platter with other Valentine’s Day treats.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent the cookies from sticking together.
Classic Butter Cookies with Creamy Frosting
These tender butter cookies are a timeless choice for Valentine’s Day. They have a light texture and rich flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet frosting.
You can cut them into heart shapes or any design you prefer. The recipe uses basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
The cookies bake quickly and hold their shape well. This makes them ideal for decorating with buttercream.
Ingredients
For the cookies, you need 1 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 egg. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Mix in 2 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour gradually until the dough comes together. For the buttercream frosting, combine 1/2 cup of softened butter with 2 cups of powdered sugar.
Add 2 tablespoons of milk or cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can add pink or red food coloring if you want festive colors for Valentine’s Day.
Cooking Instructions
Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This takes about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until combined. Slowly add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients.
Mix until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix or your cookies will be tough.
Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
The edges should be lightly golden, but the centers will still look soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cookies cool, make your frosting. Beat the butter until smooth, then add the powdered sugar one cup at a time.
Add the milk and vanilla, beating until the frosting is creamy and spreadable. Add more milk if the frosting is too thick or more powdered sugar if it’s too thin.
Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies. Let the frosting set for about 30 minutes before serving or packaging.
Serving Suggestion
Arrange these cookies on a decorative plate or package them in clear bags tied with ribbon. They taste best within 3 days of baking when stored in an airtight container.
You can serve them with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
Fruity and Chocolaty Valentine’s Cookies
Combining fruit and chocolate creates a classic flavor pairing that works perfectly for Valentine’s Day cookies. You can capture this combination in several ways that will impress anyone you’re baking for.
Chocolate covered strawberry cookies bring together two beloved treats in one bite. These cookies typically feature a strawberry-flavored base with chocolate chips or a chocolate drizzle on top.
You can add freeze-dried strawberries to the dough for extra fruit flavor. Chocolate cherry cookies offer another winning combination for your Valentine’s Day baking.
The tartness of cherries balances the richness of chocolate. You’ll want to use dried or fresh cherries mixed into a chocolate cookie base.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
Mix the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, then beat until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
Fold in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries and chocolate chips. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into balls and place them on a lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these cookies with a glass of cold milk or hot chocolate. You can also package them in clear bags tied with red ribbon to give as Valentine’s Day gifts.
Arrange them on a heart-shaped platter for a festive presentation at your Valentine’s celebration.
Frosted Heart Sugar Cookies
Frosted heart sugar cookies are a classic Valentine’s Day treat that combines buttery cookie dough with sweet frosting. You can make these cookies in one afternoon and have them ready to share with family, friends, or classmates.
The cookie base starts with standard sugar cookie ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla extract. You’ll need a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create the traditional Valentine’s shape.
The dough requires chilling before you roll it out, which helps the cookies keep their shape while baking. These cookies have soft, tender centers with slightly crisp edges.
The tops stay flat, which makes them perfect for decorating. You don’t need advanced baking skills to get good results.
Ingredients
You’ll need 2¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon baking powder for the dry ingredients. For the wet ingredients, gather 1 cup softened butter, 1½ cups white sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
The frosting requires ½ cup softened butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons milk. You can add pink or red food coloring if you want traditional Valentine’s colors.
Sprinkles are optional for decorating.
Cooking Instructions
Mix the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl and set aside. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. The dough should come together without being sticky.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Roll the chilled dough out on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut out heart shapes with your cookie cutter and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges.
Let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Make the frosting by beating the butter until creamy, then gradually adding the powdered sugar.
Add vanilla and milk, beating until smooth and spreadable. Add more milk if the frosting is too thick.
Wait until the cookies are completely cool before frosting them. Spread the frosting on each cookie with a knife or offset spatula.
Add sprinkles while the frosting is still wet so they stick.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these cookies on a decorative plate for Valentine’s Day gatherings or package them in clear bags tied with ribbon for gifts. They pair well with milk, coffee, or hot chocolate.
Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Spiced Cinnamon Roll Cookies
These cookies bring together the warm flavors of cinnamon rolls with the simple convenience of drop cookies. You get the sweet, spiced taste without waiting for dough to rise.
The soft centers and slightly crisp edges create a satisfying texture in every bite. Each cookie features a spiral pattern that mimics the classic cinnamon roll look.
Ingredients
You’ll need 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt for the base. Add 1/2 cup softened butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar for the cookie dough.
Mix in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. For the filling, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons melted butter.
You’ll also need 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk for the glaze.
Cooking Instructions
Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
Roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Spread the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.
Roll the dough tightly from one long side to the other. Slice the log into 1-inch rounds and place them on a lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes until the edges turn golden. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.
Mix the powdered sugar and milk to create the glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled cookies.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these cookies with hot coffee or cold milk. They work well for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
You can arrange them on a heart-shaped platter for Valentine’s Day. Pack them in a decorative box to give as a gift to someone special.
Strawberry Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies
Strawberry jam-filled thumbprint cookies combine buttery shortbread with sweet fruit filling. These simple cookies work well for Valentine’s Day because of their red jam centers and tender texture.
The base is a basic shortbread dough that requires just a few ingredients. You’ll need butter, flour, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
Some recipes use only four ingredients total. The dough comes together quickly without any special equipment.
You shape the cookies into balls, press your thumb into the center, and fill the indentation with strawberry jam before baking.
Ingredients
You’ll need 1 cup of softened butter and 2/3 cup of powdered sugar for the cookie base. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to complete the dough.
Keep about 1/2 cup of strawberry jam ready for filling the cookies.
Cooking Instructions
Mix the softened butter and powdered sugar until they blend together smoothly. Stir in the vanilla extract, then add the flour and mix until a dough forms.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a lined baking sheet. Press your thumb into the center of each ball to create an indentation.
Fill each indentation with about 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden.
The centers should stay pale. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these cookies at room temperature on a simple plate or tiered stand. They pair well with coffee, tea, or milk.
You can arrange them on Valentine’s Day dessert trays alongside other pink and red treats for a festive look.
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I’m Nina, and I’m very passionate about spirituality. Exploring the depths of the soul and connecting with the divine has always been my source of inspiration. Join me on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace through my writing.