I originally published this recipe in 2017 and have since added new photos and more helpful decorating tips. Not to toot my own horn, but… I have absolutely zero talent when it comes to piping writing on cookies and cakes. Zero zip zilch. LOL. Pen and paper, great! Piping frosting on cupcakes and flooding icing on cookies, totally manageable! But combine writing + piping, and I completely lose control of my hand. Recently, my talented assistant Stephanie came to my rescue, and helped me write on these conversation heart-inspired cookies. Because we just can’t make Valentine’s Day cookies without the fun little sayings on top!
Conversation Heart Candies
If you aren’t familiar with conversation heart candies, they are a Valentine’s Day staple here in the U.S. They’re like little edible love notes! Pastel-colored, a little chalky-tasting, and totally iconic, conversation hearts have been around for over a century. Did you know the company that produces them comes up with a new theme each year, and creates new sayings to go along with that theme? The sayings are usually sweet or funny, but can even be sassy or sarcastic! But you don’t need to buy a bag of conversation hearts to make today’s recipe. You just need a rolling pin, a heart-shaped cookie cutter, and a little inspiration for what to write on top (I provide some suggestions below).
So Much to Love About These Valentine’s Day Cookies
These lookalike (but tasteabetter) heart-shaped treats start with my trusty recipe for sugar cookies. The cookies are soft and buttery with crisp edges. The dough holds its shape wonderfully in the oven. Sharp and precise; no misshapen hearts!
Soft, thick centers with slightly crisp edges Irresistible buttery vanilla flavor Made from simple ingredients Leave plain or flavor with extracts Hold shape while baking Freeze beautifully Easy-to-follow dessert recipe used by beginner and expert bakers alike
We’re using royal icing for today’s Valentine’s Day sugar cookie decoration, but you can absolutely skip the writing and top them with buttercream like we do for these St. Patrick’s Day cookies, or use this easy glaze cookie icing instead. Another reader, Layla, commented: “These cookies are delightfully crisp, light, and soft, and I would eat them every day if I could… Thanks for the recipe! ★★★★★”
Overview: How to Make Valentine’s Day Cookies
The Trick Is the Order of Steps
Notice how I roll out the dough BEFORE chilling it in the refrigerator? That’s my signature sugar cookie trick! Let me explain why I do this. Just like when you’re making chocolate chip cookies, to prevent the cookies from over-spreading, the cookie dough must chill in the refrigerator. Roll out the dough right after you prepare it, then chill the rolled-out dough. (At this point the dough is too soft to cut into shapes.) Don’t chill the cookie dough and then try to roll it out because it will be too cold and difficult to work with. I divide the dough in half before rolling it out and highly recommend you do the same. Smaller sections of dough are simply more manageable. Here’s another trick! Roll out the cookie dough directly on silicone baking mats or parchment paper sheets so you can easily transfer it to the refrigerator. Pick the whole thing up, set it on a baking sheet, and place it in the refrigerator. If you don’t have enough room for 2 baking sheets in your refrigerator, you can stack the pieces of rolled-out dough on top of each other (with parchment or baking mat in between).
Royal Icing Is Best for Writing on Cookies
This royal icing is my preferred sugar cookie icing because it’s easy to use, dries in a couple hours, and doesn’t have a texture comparable to hardened cement. (It’s actually on the softer side!) I use it for most of my sugar cookie recipes, including watermelon sugar cookies. I make the royal icing with meringue powder. Meringue powder takes the place of liquid raw egg whites, which is found in traditional royal icing recipes. It eliminates the need for fresh eggs, but still provides the same consistency. You can find meringue powder in some baking aisles, most craft stores with a baking section, or shop for meringue powder online. The trickiest part is landing on the perfect royal icing consistency. My royal icing video is included in the written recipe below, so use that to help guide you.
Tools You Need for Decorating These Heart Sugar Cookies
For even more recommendations, see this full list of my favorite cookie decorating supplies. I stuck with the shortest possible sayings and words because, well… you know my struggle. Some short conversation heart text inspiration:
BFF Love Kiss Hug XOXO Sweet Wink Kind Me & U Cute
Have fun with it, and don’t worry about making them look perfect. You can even skip the writing for plain pastel Valentine’s Day cookies. Your Valentine will appreciate your efforts no matter what. 😉 And all that practice will get you ready for decorating football cookies, Easter cookies, fireworks cookies! For even more inspiration, here is my video tutorial for how to decorate sugar cookies.
More Valentine’s Day Desserts
Valentine’s Day Cupcakes Sparkle Sweetheart Cookies Red Velvet Cake Lava Cakes Homemade Chocolate Truffles Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies
See even more Valentine’s Day dessert recipes.
