Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
These Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, topped with smooth, glossy icing that’s made for decorating. Each bite melts in your mouth, while the festive designs make them as beautiful as they are delicious. Ideal for gifting, parties, or a fun baking project, these cookies are a classic Valentine’s treat everyone loves. 💗🍪
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Substitutions & Notes:
- You can swap vanilla for almond extract for a bakery-style flavor. For gluten-free cookies use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
Royal Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5 –6 tablespoons warm water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Coloring Options:
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant Valentine’s shades without thinning the icing.
Instructions
1. Make the Cookie Dough
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
2. Chill the Dough
- Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step is key for clean edges.
3. Roll & Cut
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into heart shapes and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
4. Bake
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–11 minutes, just until set. Do not brown. Cool completely before decorating.
5. Make the Royal Icing
- Beat powdered sugar, meringue powder, water, and extract until glossy. Adjust water to reach desired consistency.
6. Decorate
- Outline cookies with thicker icing, then flood with slightly thinner icing. Add sprinkles while wet.
7. Set
- Let cookies dry at room temperature for 6–8 hours or overnight until icing is fully set.
Video
Notes
📝 Notes
- Chill the cookie dough before rolling to help cookies hold their shape.
- Roll dough evenly for consistent baking and smooth icing surfaces.
- Do not overbake; cookies should stay pale and soft in the center.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant royal icing colors.
- Allow base icing to dry before adding decorative details.
- Keep unused royal icing covered to prevent it from drying out.
- Store decorated cookies in a single layer once icing is fully set.
🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 180 kcal,Carbohydrates: 26 g,
Fiber: 0.8 g,
Sugars: 15 g,
Protein: 2 g,
Fat: 7 g,
Saturated Fat: 4 g,
Cholesterol: 30 mg,
Sodium: 95 mg,
Potassium: 55 mg,
Calcium: 35 mg,
Iron: 0.9 mg