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Who doesn't love celebrating the day of love with sweetly decorated and even better tasting Valentine's Day sugar cookies that are moist and decadent for all the loved ones who fill your life?!
They are totally easy and totally fun to make with (or for) all the folks who fill your world with sunshine, warmth, and love on Valentine's Day or any day of the year!
Festive and Fun Valentine's Sugar Cookies
Looking for the perfect sweet treat for your Valentine, whether that's your spouse, kiddos, besties, or even just a teacher or neighbor in your life? No matter who you're celebrating the day of love with this year, these cookies NEED to be made in your kitchen! They are so darn adorable, plus they're simply the best sugar cookie texture and flavor ever: moist yet firm, sweet with hints of vanilla and almond, and perfect to top with festive frosting and sprinkles.
I would know because I sort of have a thing for incredible sugar cookies. I tested and played with recipes for years before perfecting this one, and do you want to know the secret? Using butter flavored shortening. I know, it's not something we'd like to bake with all the time -- and I don't -- but it really does add something special to these cookies and helps them hold their shape to perfection. You can't skip it, and my philosophy is that eating something like shortening just a couple times a year balances out in the end. Happy baking and happy Valentine's Day!
How do you decorate sugar cookies?
Decorating sugar cookies is one of the best parts! I whip up a batch of this sugar cookie frosting (super simple) and color some of it red and some of it pink with food coloring, while leaving some of it white. Using a piping bag or a butter knife, add the frosting to the cooled sugar cookies however you see fit! I always say the messier the better. Add colored sprinkles soon after applying the frosting to that they stick.
How long do you chill sugar cookie dough?
Chill the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. If you're planning ahead, you can leave it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days... Just don't forget about it in there!
Why is my sugar cookie dough crumbling?
Over-mixing cookie dough can result in dry, crumbly, hard cookies. Make sure you just mix it enough to incorporate everything together.
Why do my sugar cookies taste like flour?
If your sugar cookies end up tasting dry, chalky, and too much like flour, it's often because of measurements being off and using too much flour. This can happen when making the dough or when rolling out the cookie dough on a floured surface -- use just enough so they don't stick, but not too much.
How do you store decorated sugar cookies?
You can store decorated sugar cookies in airtight containers, separating levels with parchment paper so tops of cookies don't stick to bottoms of others. They'll keep for up to a week stored in the fridge.
How to make Valentine's sugar cookies:
- Cream together the shortening and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Add the sour cream and vanilla.
- Add the baking soda, baking powder, flour, salt, and nutmeg if using, and mix all together.
- Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll ¼ of dough at a time out on a well-floured surface to ¼- to ½-inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters to make shapes, and transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Repeat with remaining dough, gathering and re-rolling the scrap dough as you go along.
- Decorate cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles; the messier the better.
- This ismy favorite frosting for sugar cookies if you need a recipe to go with this one.
Valentine's Sugar Cookies
- Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 4 dozen medium cookies 1x
Description
Who doesn't love celebrating the day of love with sweetly decorated and even better tasting Valentine's Day sugar cookies that are moist and decadent for all the loved ones who fill your life?!
- 1 cupshortening (I use butter flavored)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2eggs
- 1 cupsour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoonbaking soda
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 ½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoonsalt
- Festive cookie cutters (you can use hearts, X's and O's, and lips shapes)
- Store-bought or homemade frosting (this is my favorite sugar cookie frosting)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Add the sour cream and vanilla.
- Next, add the baking soda, baking powder, flour, salt, and nutmeg if using, and mix all together. The dough should be tacky without being sticky; adjust the flour as needed until you have a workable dough.
- Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes (and up to 2 days).
- Working with ¼ of the dough at a time, roll it out on a well-floured surface to ¼- to ½-inch thick. Be generous with your flour on the rolling surface since the dough is very tender; it will stick easily.
- Use cookie cutters to make shapes, and transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Repeat with remaining dough, gathering and re-rolling the scrap dough as you go along.
- Decorate cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles; the messier the better.
- This ismy favorite frosting for sugar cookies if you need a recipe to go with this one.
Notes
- I don’t use shortening for a lot of recipes (this andMy Favorite Pie Crust Recipeare about the only ones that I use it in), but it helps the cookies keep their shape and the end result is so much nicer. I figure if you’re just eating stuff like that a few times a year, it’ll balance itself out.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 7 min
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sugar cookie recipe, sugar cookie recipe with sour cream, valentine cookies, valentine's day cookies, valentine sugar cookies
Find More Valentine's Day Inspiration with These Great Ideas
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
- Queen of Hearts Chexmix
- Chocolate Covered Banana Hearts
- Felt Heart Garland
- Chocolate Molten Lava Cake
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
- 7 Healthy Valentine's Day Ideas
Valentine's Day sugar cookies are the most perfect, simple, and fun sweet treat to celebrate this lovey-dovey holiday with all those you hold close!
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Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...
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