Easy Valentine Cookies: The Perfect Recipe for Sugar Cookie Lovers

If you’re looking for an absolutely delicious sweet treat to bake for Valentine’s Day, or anytime you’re craving a simple, classic sugar cookie, these easy Valentine cookies are a perfect choice. This sugar cookie recipe has been in our family for decades, and I find myself coming back to it year after year.

What I love most is how uncomplicated it is. Just mix the dough, refrigerate it, roll it out, cut your shapes, bake, and enjoy. No fancy techniques, no fuss. Just a soft, tender sugar cookie that tastes as good as it looks.

And while you can decorate these cookies with icing and sprinkles, they’re just as lovely kept simple. A little colored sugar, a good cookie cutter, and the flavor of the cookie itself really gets to shine. That’s my style – simple, joyful, and delicious.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Valentine Cookies

• Soft with lightly crisp edges
• Holds its shape beautifully for cookie cutters
• Easy to decorate or enjoy plain
• Perfect for gifting, sharing, or a cozy afternoon treat
• A family-tested recipe that works every time

These cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day baking, but honestly, they’re so good you may find yourself making them all year long.

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Tools You’ll Need

.Mixer

.Rolling Pin

.Cookie Cutters (I used cookie cutters that have been passed down in our family)

Bonus Tip: If you love keeping your favorite recipes beautifully organized, my vintage spring recipe cards (available in my Etsy shop) are perfect for jotting down family favorites, including this sugar cookie recipe, or for gifting along with a batch of cookies.

Ingredient Notes & Helpful Substitutions

• Shortening: Helps cookies keep their shape while baking. I have not tried butter with this recipe as it may cause cookies to slightly spread.
• Buttermilk: Adds tenderness. No buttermilk? Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

How to Make Easy Valentine Sugar Cookies

1. Cream the shortening in a large bowl.
2. Add the sugar and eggs, mixing until combined.
3. Mix the baking soda into the buttermilk.
4. Add the buttermilk mixture to the shortening, sugar, and eggs.
5. Mix in the remaining ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
6. Refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.
7. On a floured surface, roll out dough to about ¼-inch thick and sprinkle lightly with sugar.
8. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet.
9. Bake at 375°F for 8 minutes, just until the edges are set. Don’t overbake!
10. Let cool briefly before transferring to a cooling rack.
11. Decorate as desired using icing, colored sugar, sprinkles, or simply enjoy them plain.

While these cookies are perfect for a sweet treat, another family favorite I love baking is Simple Apple Cake Recipe: 6 Easy Steps To Delicacy. It’s just as simple and comforting.

Make Ahead, Freezing & Storage Tips

These cookies freeze beautifully, making them perfect for baking ahead. Layer cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between each layer. When you’re ready to enjoy, take out a cookie or two and let them thaw at room temperature. I love having a few tucked away for a little self-care treat!

And if you enjoy keeping track of your favorite recipes for future baking, my vintage spring recipe cards (available on Etsy) are a lovely way to jot them down and save them for years to come. They’re also a charming touch if you plan to gift cookies to friends or family.

No matter how you choose to decorate them, these easy Valentine cookies are a joy to bake and share whether they’re for your sweetie, family, friends, or just yourself. And, if you’re gifting them to someone special, don’t forget to save a few for yourself.

I’d love to know, do you enjoy going all out with fancy cookie decorating, or are you more of a no-nonsense baker like me? Either way, there’s no right or wrong answer, just be sure you choose joy along the way.

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Other Family Favorite Recipes You May Enjoy:

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