Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to bake something special, and these Valentine Heart Envelope Cookies are just the thing! These delightful sugar cookies are shaped like hearts and designed to resemble tiny love note envelopes. Decorated with smooth pink and white icing, delicate borders, and tiny heart accents, they’re as charming as they are delicious. Whether you’re gifting them to a loved one, serving them at a Valentine’s party, or enjoying them with a warm cup of tea, these cookies are sure to bring smiles all around.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract (optional)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp meringue powder
5-6 tbsp warm water
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pink and white food coloring
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing well.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Cut and Bake the Cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and transfer them to the baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are just lightly golden.
Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
Step 3: Prepare the Royal Icing
In a mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder.
Gradually add warm water, mixing until the icing reaches a thick but pipeable consistency.
Divide the icing into bowls and color with pink and white food coloring.
Transfer the icing into piping bags with small round tips.
Step 4: Decorate the Cookies
Outline and flood the heart-shaped cookies with pink or white icing.
Allow the base icing layer to dry before piping tiny heart decorations and envelope-like details.
For an extra touch, use red icing to create a “wax seal” heart in the center.
Let the cookies dry completely before serving or packaging.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Decorating Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Baking Pro Tips
Chill the dough – This prevents spreading and helps maintain the heart shape.
Use gel food coloring – It provides vibrant color without altering icing consistency.
Let each icing layer dry – This helps avoid smudging and makes the details pop.
Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating the cookies.
Store in an airtight container – This keeps the cookies fresh for up to a week.
These Valentine Heart Envelope Cookies are the perfect way to express love and appreciation through baking. With their adorable envelope-inspired design and sweet vanilla-almond flavor, they are both a visual delight and a treat for the taste buds. Share them with loved ones, package them as heartfelt gifts, or enjoy them with a warm drink. Whatever the occasion, these cookies will make Valentine’s Day even sweeter!