Who doesn’t love celebrating the day of love with sweetly decorated and even better-tastingValentine’s Day sugar cookiesthat aremoist and decadentfor all the loved ones who fill your life?!

stack of valentines day sugar cookies with piped pink and red or lips or even X&O's made of frosting.

Looking for the perfectsweet treatfor your Valentine, whether that’s your spouse, kiddos, besties, or even just a teacher or neighbor in your life? No matter who you’recelebrating the day of lovewith this year, these cookiesNEEDto be made in your kitchen! They are so darn adorable, plus they’re simply thebest sugar cookie texture and flavor ever: moist yet firm, sweet with hints of vanilla and almond, and perfect to top withfestive frostingand sprinkles.

I would know because I sort of have a thing for incrediblesugar 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 doesadd something specialto 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 of times a year balances out in the end.

stack of iced valentine's sugar cookie cutouts on round white plates.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe Image

This recipe issuper basicand tends to use lots of things you’ll already have.
The best part aboutsugar cookieswill always be thatthey are made to decorate!Whether you’re adding colorful icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter, the decorating possibilities are endless.
They’re easy to transport and share, making them a popular choice for parties, bake sales, and gifts.Perfect for all holidays!

Recipe Ingredients

Shortening —(I use butter flavored)
Sugar
Eggs
Sour cream
Vanilla
Almond extract
Baking soda
Baking powder
Flour
Store-bought or homemade frosting —(this is my favorite sugar cookie frosting)

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Valentine’s Sugar Cookies

sugar cookie ingredients in a metal mixing bowl.

Step 1:Cream together the shortening and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.

Step 2:Beat in eggs one at a time. Add the sour cream and vanilla.

sugar cookie dough in a metal mixing bowl.

Step 3:Add the baking soda, baking powder, flour, salt, and nutmeg if using, and mix.

Step 4:Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.

cursing out hearts and X's for Valentines day sugar cookies.

Step 5:Roll 1/4 of dough at a time out on a lightly floured surface to ¼- to ½-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to make shapes, and transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet.

Step 6:Decorate cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles; the messier the better!

Recipe FAQs

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 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 so 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, 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 are 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 the tops of cookies don’t stick to the bottoms of others. They’ll keep for up to a week stored in the fridge.

woman holding iced sugar cookie cutout with pink rose icing.

Expert Tips

When baking the sugar cookies, they are best when they’re just set around the edges and still soft in the center.They’ll continue to firm up a bit as they cool on the baking sheet.
Royal icingis great for detailed decorationsand hardens to a smooth finish, while glaze icing is simpler and dries to a glossy finish. Both can be colored and flavored to suit your needs.
Allow the cookies to cool fully before storing them.They’ll stay fresher longer and won’t become soggy!