Description
Delight in these charming Frosted Heart Sugar Cookies, perfect for Valentine's Day or any special occasion. These tender, buttery cookies are topped with smooth royal icing and festive sprinkles, combining classic flavors with a fun and festive presentation.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks or 16 tablespoons)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar or flour (for rolling)
Decoration
- Store-bought icing (red, white and pink - or white icing and food coloring to make desired colors)
- Valentine's Day themed sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes creamy and light, creating a fluffy base for the cookies.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Incorporate the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Note that the dough may be somewhat crumbly at this stage.
- Roll Out Dough: Turn the dough onto a surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar or flour. Gather the dough into a ball and then roll it out evenly to about ¼ inch thickness for uniform baking.
- Cut Shapes: Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes. Carefully transfer each cookie onto the prepared baking sheet using a flat spatula to help maintain their shape.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes, ensuring they do not brown. This will keep the texture tender and delicate.
- Cool Cookies: Once baked, allow the cookies to cool for at least 20 minutes on the baking sheet before gently moving them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Icing: Warm store-bought white icing in a medium microwave-safe bowl by heating it for 30 seconds. Stir well and heat in additional 15 second increments if necessary until the icing thins out. Allow it to cool slightly before use.
- Decorate Cookies: When cookies are fully cooled, frost the tops with the prepared royal icing and immediately add Valentine's Day themed sprinkles so they stick before the icing dries.
- Dry and Store: Let the decorated cookies dry thoroughly before storing them in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve decoration.
Notes
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should not brown to maintain soft texture.
- Using a flat spatula when transferring cut cookies helps maintain their shape.
- If desired, you can color the white icing with food coloring to customize decoration colors.
- Allow the icing to fully dry before stacking the cookies to avoid smudging.
- Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to keep them fresh.
