Description
These delightful Conversation Heart Cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion that calls for sweet, decorated treats. Soft, buttery sugar cookies are cut into heart shapes, baked to perfection, and adorned with pastel-colored icing and sweet messages. With a tender crumb and charming designs, these cookies make a fun and festive way to share love and friendship.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk, plus more as needed
- Gel food coloring in assorted pastel colors
- Edible food marker or pink gel icing for writing
Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure they are evenly combined and aerated.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), fully incorporating them into the butter and sugar mixture to form a smooth batter.
- Combine dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined, creating a soft dough that is neither too dry nor sticky.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a flat disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up and make rolling easier.
- Preheat oven and prepare pans: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Roll out dough and cut shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll each disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes, and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cut-out hearts in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but not browned, ensuring a soft, tender cookie.
- Cool cookies: Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks to ensure the icing adheres properly.
- Prepare icing: In a bowl, mix powdered sugar and milk until you achieve a thick but pipeable consistency. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint each with different pastel gel food coloring.
- Decorate cookies: Spread or pipe the colored icing onto the cooled cookies and allow it to set completely until dry to the touch.
- Add messages: Use an edible food marker or pink gel icing to write classic conversation heart phrases like “Be Mine” or “XOXO” on each cookie for a charming finish.
Notes
- For best results, let the iced cookies dry completely before stacking or storing to prevent smudging.
- Classic conversation heart phrases work best with simple lettering to keep the cookies visually appealing and readable.
- You can substitute almond extract with an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract if preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
