Easy Valentine Sugar Cookies

Looking to whip up Valentine Sugar Cookies in a flash? You’re in the right place! Follow along with our super simple Valentine’s Day sugar cookie recipe, and don’t miss our handy tips to make sure they come out perfect every time. Plus, if gluten is a concern, we’ve got you covered with options for both classic flour and gluten-free blends.

How to Make Beautiful Valentine Sugar Cookies… in a Hurry!

Short on time and need a lifeline?

Trust me, I know the feeling. Life gets busy, and those sweet requests from your kiddo to bake Valentine sugar cookies for the class party? They can catch you off guard! Your first thought might be to swing by the bakery and grab a box, then pretend they were homemade. I totally get it. But when your little one’s eyes light up at the idea of baking together, it’s hard to say no.

So, you dive into Pinterest, hoping for a fast, doable recipe. Then reality kicks in—you realize that you absolutely don’t have time to chill dough overnight or spend hours fussing over fancy royal icing. Plus, let’s be honest, who keeps meringue powder on hand? It’s Thursday night, party’s tomorrow, and you need a shortcut that still delivers big on flavor and fun.

How To Make Easy Valentine Cookies

It’s shortcut time, friends! And I promise, these Valentine sugar cookies will be just as tasty without the fuss of multiple layers of royal icing.

(Don’t get me wrong—I love a beautifully decorated cookie as much as the next person. But sometimes, the real goal is quick, simple, and kid-approved.)

Color Them Quick

Valentine’s Day calls for pretty, festive cookies—and you want a fun pop of pink or red without complicated decorating.

The easiest way? Add a few quick drops of pink or red food coloring directly into your cookie dough.

Just knead the color right into your dough before rolling it out and cutting those cute hearts. If you’re sensitive about artificial food dyes, no worries—natural food coloring is a great swap. It’s pricier, but definitely worth it if you want to keep things extra clean.

Another quick trick: roll and cut your dough right on parchment paper. That way, you can peel away any scraps easily and keep your cookies right there on the paper to bake. Easy cleanup = happy mom!

Cool Them Down Fast

If chilling dough for hours isn’t in your schedule, don’t stress. These Valentine’s sugar cookies will still turn out lovely and delicious.

Here’s a pro tip: after you roll your dough and cut out your first batch of hearts on parchment, slide that right onto a cookie sheet and pop it in the fridge while you preheat your oven and keep rolling. Using parchment or a silicone baking mat (like a Silpat) helps keep the dough from sticking, so it’s worth it.

If your rolling pin picks up too much flour, try rolling your dough between two layers of parchment or wax paper. This keeps things smooth and mess-free.

Also, instead of flouring your cookie cutter, lightly grease it with butter or oil if it seems sticky. (Though honestly, my dough often doesn’t stick at all—especially when using a baking mat.)

I usually just use my fingers to gently pick up the cookie shapes and move them to the lined cookie sheet—no fuss, no flours everywhere.

Once the first tray is in the oven, chill the next sheet of cookies in the fridge while you bake. Always keep a close eye on these babies—they bake super quickly.

Valentine sugar cookies take only 6-9 minutes at 350°F, depending on their size.

Pull them out as soon as the edges show a hint of golden brown and the centers feel set. They may seem soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool on the sheet. The longer you bake them, the crisper they get, so decide if you prefer soft or crunchy cookies.

Powder Them Up

If you’re pressed for time or if bedtime sneaks up before your cookies are done, no worries. Decorating couldn’t be easier and faster than dusting with powdered sugar.

Let your cookies cool on the parchment-lined sheet for a few minutes, then slide the whole sheet onto a cooling rack to finish chilling. If sliding isn’t an option, just use a thin spatula to transfer them carefully.

Once cool, grab a fine-mesh strainer or even a small sieve, fill it with powdered sugar, and give your cookies a quick dusting. Instantly adorable, festive, and ready to wrap up or enjoy!

No waiting for royal icing to dry, and best of all, they’re not over the top sweet like some decorated sugar cookies. Trust me, that’s my excuse when I sneak (okay, maybe more than sneak) a few while packing them up.

Fast and Easy Valentine’s Sugar Cookies — and Gluten-Free if You Choose

This recipe works beautifully whether you use traditional wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend. I often opt for gluten-free, using Better Batter Flour for these cookies, and they turned out delish! I’ve also mixed up my own blend of almond, coconut, rice, and tapioca flours with great results.

The secret to successful gluten-free baking is all in the flour blend. Using just rice flour can make things sticky and disappointing. You can buy quality blends or whip up your own custom mix at home. After lots of testing, I’ve created a favorite gluten-free flour blend that delivers perfect texture every time.

Whether you keep it classic or gluten-free, this simple sugar cookie recipe will quickly become a go-to for Valentine’s Day or anytime you need a fast, tasty treat.