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Tender Sugar Cookie Hearts Recipe Perfect for Easy Sweet Icing Decorating

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These tender sugar cookie hearts are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with sweet icing. Ideal for any occasion, they offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture and are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Food coloring gels or natural colorings (optional)

Instructions

  1. Take the butter and egg out of the fridge to reach room temperature—about 30 minutes before you start.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. If dough is too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
  6. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  8. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
  9. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer to baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  10. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden but centers remain soft.
  11. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  12. In a small bowl, mix 2 cups powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk or water and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Adjust liquid for pipeable consistency.
  13. Divide icing into smaller bowls if using colors, add food coloring gels as desired.
  14. Fill piping bags or zip-top bags with icing, snip a small corner, and decorate cooled cookies.
  15. Let icing set at room temperature for at least 1 hour before stacking or packaging.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and keep cookies soft. Use gel food coloring for best icing consistency. If dough feels too warm while rolling, chill again for 10 minutes. For a glossy icing finish, add a drop of corn syrup. Store decorated cookies in airtight container for up to 3 days; undecorated cookies freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, heart-shaped cookies, sweet icing, easy cookie recipe, tender cookies, holiday cookies, Valentine's Day cookies

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