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Hearts & Bows Cookies

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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.

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.
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close up of valentine cookie

Hearts & Bows Cookies

Yield: 48 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours

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!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 7-1/2 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

  1. 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. 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 to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 48 Serving Size: 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 78Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 1g

Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary greatly between brands. Always be sure to read labels.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you try this recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and tag @lovebakesgoodcakes on Instagram with the hashtag #lovebakesgoodcakes so I can see what you made!

© Jamie Sherman
Cuisine: American / Category: Dessert

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

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Graham Blackall

    I love Valentine's Day! I mean, hey I might be perpetually single, but every year me and a few friends go out to dinner and revel in our loneliness. I also make sugar cookies galore!

    These look delicious!

    xx Graham @ glazedandconfused.us

    Reply

  11. Adelina Priddis

    Those cookies are so cute! My husband buys our girls a single rose on Valentines. I think it's sweet he thinks of them. As for the rest of the day. we stick to just trying to have a nice dinner as well.

    Reply

  15. Miz Helen

    Hi Jamie,
    Your Valentine Cookies are just perfect for the big day! Thank you so much for helping us celebrate Three Years at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  18. Michelle Meche

    So sweet! I'm not a big Valentine person either, but I try to make a special dessert or something similar for my guys. I think these would be cute for Christmas too. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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Love Bakes Good Cakes delivers delicious and simple family-friendly meals. Find everything from healthier recipes to over the top desserts!