Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies

There’s something timeless about a classic sugar cookie — soft yet slightly crisp, sweet but not cloying, and endlessly customizable with shapes, colors, and decorations. A sugar cookie is a simple cookie made primarily from sugar, flour, butter, eggs and vanilla — and it’s beloved across the United States and beyond for its versatility and nostalgic comfort. The heart-shaped version takes that beloved treat and turns it into a heart-shaped celebration perfect for Valentine’s Day, making it one of the best sugar cookie recipes you’ll reach for whenever you want something tasty, customizable, and festive.

Whether you’re baking for kids’ classroom exchanges, a romantic dessert table, or cozy family baking around the holidays, these sugar cookies deliver crowd-pleasing results. With a vanilla-almond dough that holds its shape beautifully and a vibrant royal-style icing you can dye pink and red, this is an easy sugar cookie recipe that feels special, yet is totally approachable even for beginner bakers. The dough comes together in about 30 minutes before chill time, and the decorating step — with stiff, fluffy icing whipped to pure white before adding color — is as much fun as eating the finished cookies.

What makes these sugar cookies stand out is how adaptable they are: from simple powdered-sugar hearts lightly frosted, to intricately decorated conversation-heart-style designs, you can tailor the look to match your celebration. With just a few pantry staples — butter, sugar, flour, extracts, powdered sugar, egg whites and a splash of lemon — you get cookies that are tender, lightly sweet, and perfect for sharing with loved ones (or savoring yourself).

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Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies

Recipe Details

Yield: 15 cookies
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours

Sugar Cookie Ingredients

For the cookies

• 1/2 cup unbleached sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the icing

• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 5 pasteurized egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• Water, as needed
• 1 or 2 natural red/pink food dye packets

How to Make Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies

1. Make the cookies: Place butter and sugar in bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat for 6 to 8 minutes until creamy and pale.
2. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; beat for 2 to 3 minutes to combine.
3. Add flour and beat until the mixture comes together to form a dough.
4. Roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper to a 1/4-inch thickness. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until firm.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
6. Cut cookies out using heart-shaped cookie cutters. Bake 7 to 9 minutes until edges start to become golden. Allow to cool.
7. Make the icing: Place powdered sugar, egg whites, cream of tartar, and lemon extract in a stand mixer bowl and whip on high for 7 minutes until fluffy and stiff.
8. Divide icing into bowls and color with dye to create different shades of pink.
9. Decorate: Pipe around the edges of the cookies with stiff icing. Thin the remaining icing with water (one tablespoon at a time) to “flood” or fill in the centers. Let dry completely.

Sugar Cookie Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per cookie (recipe yields 15 cookies). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size	1 cookie
Calories	≈ 360 kcal
Protein	≈ 3 g
Carbs	≈ 72 g
Sugar	≈ 65 g
Fiber	≈ 1 g
Fat	≈ 8 g

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Sugar Cookie Variations & Tips

• Make them vegan: For a vegan twist, substitute vegan butter and a flax “egg” in the dough, and use aquafaba (chickpea liquid) instead of egg whites in the icing while whipping with cream of tartar to get stiff peaks.
• Go gluten-free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend — this classic sugar cookie dough adapts well with minimal texture change.
• Flavor variations: Add a teaspoon of citrus zest (lemon or orange) to the dough for a bright, fruity note, or swap almond extract for a touch of lavender or cardamom for a subtle twist.
• Color control: Use natural food dyes or powdered beet or turmeric for pastel shades without artificial colors, or divide icing into tiny bowls and mix shades for gradient effects.
• Shape swaps: While hearts are classic for Valentine’s Day, feel free to use any cookie cutter shape — stars, letters, initials, or even cute animals.
• Decorating technique: Pipe outlines first and let them set before filling in with thinner icing — this “flooding” method gives crisp lines and polished cookie art.
• Storage tip: Once the icing is fully dry, store cookies in an airtight container layered between parchment paper; they’ll stay fresh for several days and make lovely gifts.

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Best Sugar Cookie Pairings

• Hot cocoa or vegan hot chocolate: The classic pairing — rich, warm chocolate tastes delightful alongside sweet decorated sugar cookies.
• Latte or chai tea: A lightly spiced latte or chai tea balances the sweetness and adds aromatic warmth to your cookie-eating experience.
• Fresh fruit platter: Bright berries, kiwi, or citrus slices add refreshing contrast and make your dessert spread feel light and balanced.
• Sparkling cider or rosé: For adult celebrations, bubbles — whether non-alcoholic cider or a dry rosé — elevate the moment alongside cookies and conversation.
• Dairy-free vanilla ice cream: Serve a scoop of plant-based vanilla ice cream with crumbled sugar cookies on top for a simple yet indulgent dessert mash-up.
• Herbal tea or mint tea: Calming teas help cleanse the palate between bites and make cookie breaks feel like self-care moments.

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When to Make Heart Shaped Sugar Cookie

• Valentine’s Day celebrations: These heart-shaped sugar cookies are ideal for school parties, romantic dessert spreads, or baking with kids.
• Baking parties or classes: Host a decorating party where everyone can frost and personalize cookies with sprinkles and colors.
• Gift boxes or cookie swaps: Pack them in decorative boxes or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for gifting friends, neighbors, or party favors.
• Family tradition: Make this cookie recipe part of your Valentine’s or holiday baking tradition for memories as sweet as the treats themselves.
• Office treats or potlucks: Bring a platter to work or group gatherings — heart cookies always communicate warmth and care.
• Just Because Sunday: Bake a batch on a cozy weekend and use decorating time as a creative break — no holiday needed when sugar cookies are this fun.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont