These Valentine's Day Cookies Are Almost Too Pretty to Eat

There's no better way to show your loved ones your appreciation for them than some homemade treats. Bring these beauties to a Valentine's Day party, hand them out to co-workers, or indulge in a huge batch of cookies with your significant other this year. These sugar cookies can be as simple or as elaborate as you want them to be, and will be a hit no matter what.

Valentine's Day Cookies

• Prep Time:20 mins
• Cook Time:8 mins
• Total Time:28 mins
• Servings:2
• Easy

Ingredients

• Cookies:
• 1.5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2.5 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cream tarter
• Royal Icing:
• 3 oz pasteurized egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar

• Step 1

  For the cookies: Preheat oven to 375°F and gather all ingredients.

  

• Step 2

  In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar with an electric mixer or stand mixer. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and mix until combined.

  

• Step 3

  In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar with a whisk. Slowly mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until well combined.

  

• Step 4

  Take a chunk of the dough out of the bowl and roll out dough onto a floured surface with a rolling pin. Roll the dough so it is about 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes with heart and/or arrow cookie cutters.

  

• Step 5

  Place cookies on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 6-8 minutes or until cookies are slightly brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wired wrack.

  

• Step 6

  For the royal icing: After the cookies have completely cooled, begin making the icing by combining the egg whites and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat until frothy.

  

• Step 7

  Gradually mix in confectioners' sugar on low speed until it is incorporated. After the ingredients are combined, beat on high speed for 5-7 minutes until the mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks.

  

• Step 8

  Add red and pink food coloring if desired and decorate cookies with edible pearls, sprinkles, etc.