Valentine Shortbread Cookies

Valentine Shortbread Cookies are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate love and friendship. Buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth, these cookies are simple to make yet feel extra special with their heart shapes and festive decorations. With just a few basic ingredients—flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla—you can create a batch that’s perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a cup of tea.

Decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or chocolate for a personalized touch. Ideal for Valentine’s Day or any moment when you want to spread love, these shortbread cookies are as joyful to bake as they are to eat.

Ingredients for Valentine Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread Cookie Dough

• 2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Cookie Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food Coloring: Pink, Yellow, Lime Green, and Turquoise

Toppings 

• Sprinkles (Optional)

Equipment:

• Rolling Pin
• Cookie Cutters
• Baking Sheet
• Wire Rack

How to Make Valentine Shortbread Cookies

Cookie Dough

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Step 2: Whip the butter and sugar in a bowl using a paddle attachment until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix together.

Step 3: Add the flour gradually and mix until the dough. Plastic wrap the dough and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 4: Roll out dough to ⅜ inch thickness and into small, medium, and large heart shapes.

Step 5: Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until lightly browned about the edges. Allow the cookies to cool entirely before glazing.

Glaze the cookies

Step 6: To prepare the glaze, put the milk, vanilla essence, and powdered sugar into a bowl and whisk until it’s smooth.

Step 7: Add food color to them and stir well. Dip the tops of the cookies in glaze and let the excess drip off. Set on rack to dry. Serve and enjoy.

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store your shortbread cookies in an airtight container or in a plastic Ziploc bag refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Cookies with Glazes: To be optimally consumed, the glazed cookies must be eaten within three days.

Leftover Cookies: After the glaze has dried, even if you have leftover cookies, you should be able to store them in an airtight container!

Pro Tips  for the Valentine Shortbread Cookies

1. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to keep shapes crisp.
2. Use room-temperature butter for a tender, flaky texture.
3. Roll the dough evenly so all cookies bake uniformly.
4. Lightly flour the work surface and cookie cutters, or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
5. Add a hint of almond or lemon extract for subtle flavor.
6. Let cookies cool completely before glazing or decorating to avoid smudges.

Nutrition

• Calories: 130 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Calcium: 4mg 
• Fiber: 1g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Sodium: 45mg
• Sugar: 5g 
• Protein: 1g
• Potassium: 10mg
• Iron: 1mg 

More Cookies Dessert To Try

• Italian Cannoli Cookies Recipe
• Italian Christmas Cookies
• Red Velvet Crumble Cookies
• Gluten-Free Rainbow Cookies
• Chocolate Heart Cookies

FAQs

1. How long do they keep?

A: Shortbread cookies will last for 3-4 days when stored in a tightly closed container. Once glazing is completed, I would consume the cookies within 3 days to avoid the glaze from drying up and hardening.

2. Can I use salted butter for making cookies?

A: If you use salted butter, omit the pinch of salt included in the recipe.

3. Are cookies possibly gluten-free?

A: Yes, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. 

Conclusion 

It is simple and gratifying to make Valentine shortbread cookies as a way of sharing your love, or share the love. With minimal ingredients and some time, you can create a tasty and lovely treat that will definitely be gobbled up. So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to bake some Valentine shortbread cookies this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy baking but even more sharing the sweetness with the ones you love!