Simple Valentine’s Day Cookies With Royal Icing Recipe

There's nothing sweeter than a homemade treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and these simple Valentine’s Day cookies are the perfect way to show your love. With buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies topped with a smooth and glossy royal icing, they’re as delicious as they are beautiful.

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I remember making these cookies with my grandmother, carefully piping designs onto heart-shaped cookies while she told stories about her favorite Valentine’s Days. Now, this recipe has become a tradition in my own home, and it’s a joy to share it with family and friends. Let’s dive into why these cookies are a must-make for February 14th!

Why You'll Love These Simple Valentine’s Day Cookies With Royal Icing

Get ready to fall head over heels for these Valentine’s Day cookies. They’re not just festive and fun—they’re a delightful combination of flavor, texture, and creativity.

First off, they’re incredibly easy to make. You don’t need fancy equipment or professional baking skills to create cookies that look and taste amazing. With a simple sugar cookie base and an easy royal icing recipe, anyone can master this treat.

These cookies are perfect for decorating with kids or friends. Whether you go for classic hearts, Xs and Os, or get creative with your own designs, they’re a great way to bring people together. Plus, decorating them is half the fun!

You’ll also love how versatile this recipe is. You can change up the shapes, colors, and even flavors to match your preferences or the occasion.

Finally, these cookies are ideal for gifting. Wrapped in a cute box or bag, they make a thoughtful and delicious Valentine’s Day present for loved ones, coworkers, or teachers.

So, let’s gather our ingredients and get started!

Ingredients Notes

The magic of these Valentine’s Day cookies lies in their simplicity and the balance of flavors. Each ingredient plays a role in making these treats shine.

The cookie base is a classic sugar cookie dough. Made with basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, it’s a foolproof recipe that yields soft yet sturdy cookies perfect for decorating. For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract.

The royal icing is what takes these cookies to the next level. Made with powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water, it dries to a beautiful glossy finish that’s easy to pipe and decorate with. If you prefer a softer texture, you can substitute meringue powder with pasteurized egg whites.

For the coloring, gel food colors are your best friend. They’re more concentrated than liquid colors, which means you can achieve vibrant shades without altering the icing’s consistency.

If you want to add some sparkle, edible glitter or sanding sugar is a great choice. It’s a simple way to make your cookies even more festive.

You’ll need a rolling pin, cookie cutters, and piping bags or zip-top bags for decorating. A scribe tool or toothpick is also helpful for fine details and swirling designs.

How To Make These Simple Valentine’s Day Cookies With Royal Icing

Creating these adorable cookies is easier than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make them perfectly.

Start by making the sugar cookie dough. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, then gradually add the dry ingredients until the dough comes together. Chill the dough for at least an hour to make it easier to roll out.

Once the dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use heart-shaped or other Valentine’s-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

To make the royal icing, whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl. Slowly add water until you reach the desired consistency. For outlining, you’ll want a thicker consistency, while flooding requires a thinner icing. Divide the icing into bowls and color as desired.

Transfer the icing to piping bags and start decorating! Outline the cookies first, then flood the centers with icing. Use a toothpick or scribe tool to smooth the icing and create intricate designs. Let the icing set for several hours or overnight to harden completely.

In just a few simple steps, you’ll have beautifully decorated Valentine’s Day cookies ready to share.

Storage Options

These cookies store wonderfully, so you can make them ahead of time or save leftovers for later.

For short-term storage, keep the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent the icing from smudging.

If you want to prepare in advance, store undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.

Royal icing-covered cookies can also be frozen once fully set. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature without unwrapping them to avoid condensation.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is endlessly adaptable, making it easy to put your own spin on it.

For a flavor twist, try adding a hint of lemon zest or swapping vanilla extract for almond extract in the dough.

Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes for other occasions, like stars for anniversaries or circles for monograms.

If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought sugar cookie dough or pre-made royal icing. They won’t taste quite as homemade, but they’ll still look and taste great.

For those avoiding eggs, substitute the royal icing with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.

Finally, if you’re feeling extra creative, try using edible markers to draw on designs after the icing has dried. It’s a fun way to personalize your cookies!

With so many possibilities, these Valentine’s Day cookies are sure to become a favorite treat for any special occasion. Enjoy experimenting and sharing the love!

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