51 Valentine’s Day Cookies for Our Sweethearts

Valentine’s Cookies

11 Reviews

Total Time:1 hour

Servings:about 2 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

From the Recipe Creator: Start a new Valentine’s Day tradition with these pretty, whimsical cookies. The sweet strawberry flavor is a perfect complement to the chocolate glaze. —Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa

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Also, treat your sweetie to one of these decadent Valentine’s Day desserts and you’ll capture their heart forever.

Dipped Cherry Cookies

32 Reviews

Contest Winner

Total Time:40 min

Servings:about 4 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

From the Recipe Creator: Our seven children and four grandkids voted this festive, flavorful Valentine’s Day cookie a keeper. We gave a batch to our mail carrier, in thanks for trudging through so much snow, and she asked for the recipe. —Ruth Anne Dale, Titusville, Pennsylvania

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Valentine’s Day Cookies FAQ

How do you decorate cookies for Valentine’s Day?

There are many ways to decorate cookies for Valentine’s Day, including with seasonal cutouts, brightly colored frostings and cute sprinkles. Once your cookies have baked and cooled, cover them with a healthy helping of homemade frosting in hues of red, pink, white and purple. There are many types of food coloring, but I recommend using liquid food coloring for lighter shades and gel paste for when you want bright, vibrant colors. You can slather your cookies in an even layer of frosting if you plan on adding sprinkles or other toppings. Otherwise, you can pipe the frosting into roses, hydrangeas or little pom poms for a three-dimensional effect.

Those who prefer to flex their artistic side can skip the frosting and use royal icing to create intricate patterns and designs, and even create a cookie flower bouquet.

When it comes to toppings, there are almost endless options. Fun sprinkles in the shapes of hearts or kisses are to be expected, but that’s definitely not your only option. For a more sophisticated look, you can adorn cookies with sugar pearls and pearl dust. On the other hand, if you’re decorating cookies with your kids, you can offer them a few colors of sanding sugar or nonpareils to mix and match to their hearts’ content.

Can I make Valentine’s Day cookies ahead of time?

You can absolutely make cookies for Valentine’s Day ahead of time! In fact, I recommend it so you can spend more time with your sweetie on the 14th (or, if you’re a parent, so you’re not stuck baking before a school celebration!). You just need to know how long cookies last. Cookies without toppings, like chocolate chip cookies, meringues and blossoms, can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about five days.

Frosted and decorated cookies can also be made ahead of time, but be sure to store them in a single layer to avoid smudging your hard work. If the frosting or topping contains dairy (as with a cream cheese frosting or a glaze made with milk), the Valentine’s Day treats should be stored in the fridge for up to three days. If there aren’t any perishables in the topping (as with a royal icing or baked-in jam), the cookies can be kept at room temperature and enjoyed within three days.

How do you package Valentine’s Day cookies as gifts?

The easiest way to package Valentine’s Day treats to gift is in a clear treat bag with a twist-tie. These baggies are inexpensive and can be plain, or buy treat bags with a festive pattern, like hearts and kisses.

Some other low-effort cookie packaging options include a small bakery box, a cookie tin or a clear drink cup with a lid if you have bite-sized cookies. If you prefer to use up items already in your house, you can wrap cookies in parchment and secure it with a piece of tape, or fill a no-longer-used Mason jar or tin. Or, upcycle a foil box by removing the teeth, painting or covering the box with wrapping paper, and filling it with cookies. If you’re looking to ship romantic cookie recipes to your sweetheart, though, you might be better off with one of these Valentine’s Day cookie delivery gifts.