While mass-produced Valentine’s Day treats can be easily found in stores, there’s something special about creating your own sweet gestures of love. These easy-to-make sugar cookies with their luscious cream cheese dip will surely impress and warm the hearts of those around you. Don’t worry if you’re new to baking; these heart-shaped treats are designed to be approachable, even for beginners. The best part? Each one is made with love, making it a thoughtful gift or delightful addition to your Valentine’s Day celebration.
The beauty of these little cookies lies in their simplicity and the way they can bring people together. Paired with their creamy dip, they’re the perfect treat to show someone you care. And if you enjoy baking for Valentine’s Day, consider branching out with some adorable mini cone cupcakes or indulging in peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes and fudgy chocolate brownies.
Of course, sometimes it’s not just about what we eat, but also the thoughtful gestures we give. Consider pairing your baked goods with a non-edible Valentine’s Day gift, like a pom pom bookmark, to show you’re thinking of someone special.
What Kind of Sprinkles to Use
When it comes to adding a pop of color to your easy Valentine cookies, the choice of sprinkles is entirely up to you. If you’re looking for a classic Valentine’s Day look, red and pink hues are a great option. Wilton’s cute pink heart sprinkles are a personal favorite, offering a sweet touch to your treats. Feel free to stick with a single color scheme or mix and match different shades to create a unique look. And why stop at heart-shaped sprinkles? You could try something entirely new to add an extra layer of excitement to your Valentine cookies.
How to Make Heart Valentine Cookies
To begin, combine flour, salt, and baking powder in one bowl. In another, whisk together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, beating until a cohesive Valentine’s cookie dough forms.Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a short time to prevent excessive spreading during baking. This step ensures your heart-shaped cookies retain their adorable shape.Next, roll out the chilled dough and use a set of 5 heart-shaped cookie cutters to create the desired Valentine’s treats. Once cut, place the cookies on prepared baking sheets lined with wax paper and bake in a preheated oven until golden at the edges.Allow the cookies to cool on wire racks before moving on to the icing. For the icing, simply cream together the ingredients, adjusting the consistency as needed by adding more powdered sugar or milk. If desired, incorporate sprinkles and food coloring into the mixture. Serve the cookies alongside a dollop of cream cheese sprinkle dip for an added touch.
Do You Need a Mixer to Cream Butter and Sugar?
While using an electric mixer might be faster and more efficient, it’s not necessary to whip up a classic creamed butter and sugar mixture. In fact, this traditional method has been around for centuries, long before the invention of electric appliances. To achieve the desired smooth consistency, you’ll need to put in some manual effort. Simply grab a fork and continue mixing until any remaining streaks of butter have disappeared, indicating that your mixture is ready.
Heart Valentine Cookies and Cream Cheese Sprinkle Dip Recipe
Heart Valentine Cookies and Cream Cheese Sprinkle Dip
Bella Bucchiotti brings you a delightful treat to share with loved ones on Valentine’s Day. These heart-shaped sugar cookies are infused with love and can be prepared in just under an hour and a half, including baking time. With only 25 minutes of prep work required, these sweet treats won’t take long to make. Once baked, let them chill for an hour before serving – the perfect amount of time to get ready for your Valentine’s Day celebration! Each batch yields 24 dozen cookies, making it easy to share with friends and family.
Instructions
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda until well combined. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until a dough forms. Wrap the dough in Saran wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use a cookie cutter to cut out desired shapes, repeating with any remaining dough. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each one. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the icing by creaming together all ingredients. If the icing is too thick, add small amounts of milk at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar and stir until combined. If desired, add food coloring or sprinkles to the icing and mix well. Serve the icing alongside the cooled cookies.