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Hearts & Bows Cookies are a super cute way to show someone you love them! These easy-to-make sugar cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Heart cookies closeup to show texture.

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I’m not a big celebrator of Valentine’s Day. I usually get Brian a card and a small gift – and we have a nice dinner alone. The dinner alone is a huge treat for us because it rarely happens. Sometimes (read many times), we don’t even have our Valentine’s Dinner on Valentine’s Day because life works that way.

Ingredients to make heart cookies.

I also usually get all of my kiddos a token or gift too … a small box of chocolates, a personal pan pizza for lunch – or a batch of these “heart-shaped” cookies.

I copied this recipe from a book my mom had years ago and it’s been a favorite ever since. It’s fun to change this recipe up for different holidays – pumpkins for fall, trees or snowflakes for winter, baby shoes for a baby shower.

Let me show you how easy they are to make …

Showing the steps to make cookies.

Valentine Cookies Recipe

  • butter
  • granulated sugar
  • large eggs
  • pure vanilla extract
  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • buttermilk
  • coarse or colored sugar, optional
Making cookie dough batter.

How to make Valentine Cookies

Time needed: 2 hours

How to make Valentine Cookies

  1. Prepare cookie batter.

    Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

  2. Combine and add dry ingredients.

    In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or until the dough is easy to handle.

  3. Preheat oven.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

  4. Roll-out and cut out cookie shapes.

    On a heavily floured surface, roll out the cookie dough to ¼-inch thickness. With a floured heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Place 1-inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with coarse or colored sugar, if desired.

  5. Bake.

    Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned. Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, poke two holes into each cookie with a straw. Carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

  6. Add ribbons.

    When the cookies are completely cooled, thread ribbons through the holes and tie them into bows, trim ends if necessary.

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Cutting out cookies on a cookie sheet.

Valentine Cookies: FAQs

➡️ Can cookie dough be frozen?

Yes! Wrap the cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then roll out, cut into shapes, and bake according to the recipe’s instructions. Be sure to use any frozen cookie dough within 3 months.

➡️ Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Yes! After baking, allow the cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag. Be sure to use them within 1 month.

➡️ Can I frost these cookies?

Sure! Use your favorite frosting if you would like to frost your cookies, taking care not to cover the ribbons’ holes if you will be using the ribbon.

Heart cookies on a cooling rack.

How did you like this Heart & Bows Cookies recipe

If you gave this recipe a try, I would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment down below letting me know how these cookies turned out for you! If you changed anything up, I would love to know that, too!

cookies on a small cake stand

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Cookies with ribbon around them on a cake stand.
close up of valentine cookie
5 from 1 vote
Servings: 48 cookies

Hearts & Bows Cookies

By Jamie Sherman
Hearts & Bows Cookies are a super cute way to show someone you love them! These easy-to-make sugar cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Total: 2 hours

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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup butter, softened, 2 sticks
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 7 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Coarse or colored sugar, optional
  • Heart-shaped cookie cutter
  • Straw, for poking holes
  • Ribbon

Instructions 

  • Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or until the dough is easy to handle.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
  • On a heavily floured surface, roll out the cookie dough to ¼-inch thickness. With a floured heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Place 1-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse or colored sugar, if desired.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, poke two holes into each cookie with a straw. Carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • When the cookies are completely cooled, thread ribbons through the holes and tie them into bows, trim ends if necessary.

Notes

To freeze the cookie dough

Wrap the cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then roll out, cut into shapes, and bake according to the recipe’s instructions. Be sure to use any frozen cookie dough within 3 months.

To freeze baked cookies

After baking, allow the cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag. Be sure to use them within 1 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 51mg, Potassium: 34mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 144IU, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Originally published on January 16, 2014. Updated on February 9, 2021.

Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

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23 Comments

  1. Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above says:

    Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above

  2. Debbie@Debbie-Dabble and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas says:

    OMG!! So Sweet!
    I am co hosting Fluster's Creative Muster Link Party!! Thanks so much for linking up!

    Hugs,
    Deb