Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (2024)

Welcome to our second installment in our four days Valentine’s Day Series. Today, I’m sharing Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (1)

I know I mentioned this project is one of a series of four Valentine’s Day Projects.

Sunday’s Post – Valentine’s Day Wreath Tutorial

Tuesday’s Post – Valentine’s Day Cookie Packaging

Wednesday’s Post – Valentine’s Day Card

Do you love the iced sugar cookies but feel intimidated by the whole process? Well, today we are going to tackle how to make and decorate ice cookies.

Well, a good royal icing recipe is probably key to your success. Also, I might mention a good sugar cookie recipe that keeps its shape is just as important. So, I’m sharing my favorite recipes in this blog post. I feel you can’t have one without the other.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (2)

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating

BAKING COOKIES

I always wanted my sugar cookies to look like store-bought ones. I was always frustrated when the cookies spread while baking, and sadly I ended up with a bloated shaped cookie.

A couple of years ago, I finally cracked the case on how to make a perfectly shaped sugar cookie. And I’m sharing my tips with you today. I promise that you’ll have the prettiest shaped cookies if you follow the sugar cookie recipe directions.

Ok, here is the first part of your tasks, baking your sugar cookies.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (3)

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Sugar Cookie

This is the best recipe for cut out sugar cookies. They won't spread and they keep their shapes.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time8 minutes mins

refrigerate1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 18 minutes mins

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cookie, Cookie recipe, Sugar Cookie

Servings: 30 medium size cookies

Calories: 165kcal

Author: Janine Waite

Ingredients

  • 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs large
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This takes about one minute on low speed.

  • Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.

  • Mix flour and salt in a separate bowl.

  • With your mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add flour mixture to the butter. Mix for 30 seconds until the dough is thoroughly incorporated.

  • Divide dough into two parts. Place each between two pieces of parchment paper.

  • Roll out each set of dough. I rolled mine out to a 6 mm thickness, but it is whatever thickness you prefer.

  • Transport each cookie dough to a cookie sheet.

  • Refrigerate the cookie doughs for 1 hour.

  • Preheat oven to 350°

  • Take chilled cookie dough and cut out cookie shapes and place the cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

  • Place cut out cookies back in the fridge for about 10 minutes.

  • Reroll extra dough and place cut out cookies back in the fridge for 10 minutes.

  • Remove chilled cookies from fridge and bake for 8-10 minutes.

  • With the extra dough reroll and chill for 10 minutes. The colder the cookies the better they keep their shape when baking. I hope this makes sense.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookies | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 394IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (4)

LET’S TALK ABOUT ICING

For years, I didn’t attempt icing sugar cookies since they intimidated me.

Finally, I took the plunge.

I learned a few things along the way about making pretty iced sugar cookies. First, a good icing recipe is key, and secondly, the right cake decorating tools. I finally broke down and invested in some good pastry bags and tips.

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Let’s chat about how to frost your sugar cookies.

When it comes to icing, you’ll want a consistency that is similar to marshmallow fluff. If you aren’t familiar with fluff, then look for a frosting that is a bit on the runny side. If you watch my icing video, you’ll see the consistency.

Here is another easy tip: The10 Second Rule. To check the consistency, drag the tip of a knife through the surface of theicing, letting the knife go approximately an inch deep, and slowly count to10. If the surface of theicingsmoothes over in approximately10 seconds,then youricingis the correct consistency and is now ready to use.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (6)

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Royal Icing Recipe

This is a wonderful icing will make your sugar cookies perfect when decorating them.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Course: Cookies, Dessert, Royal Icing

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookie icing, cookies, decorating cookies, Dessert, royal icing

Servings: 30 cookies

Calories: 62kcal

Author: Janine Waite

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces warm water
  • tbsp merinque powder
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Using your mixer bowl add warm water and meringue together.

  • Whisk by hand until frothy.

  • Place mixing bowl on mixer, now add the powdered sugar all at once.

  • Attach the paddle to the mixer and mix the icing on the lowest speed for 10 minutes.

  • You are looking for a slightly runny frosting. If it is too thick, add small amounts of water to get the right consitency.

  • Place icing in bowls and add desired colors.

  • Cover extra icing with plastic wrap. I place the plastic straight onto the icing preventing air from drying it out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servings | Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 16g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!

The following post contains affiliate links

BAKING SUPPLIES

Food Writer Markers

Decorating Tips

Pastry Bags

Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter

Kitchen Aid Mixer

Rubber Spatula

Metal Spatulas

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Now that you made the icing and are ready to decorate your cookie, here are the steps:

Step 1: Place the Coupler and Tip on the Bag

Place the coupler and round tip (size #1-5) on the pastry bag and place in a tall glass. Take the ends of the bag and fold it down the sides of the glass.

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Step 2 – Fill The Pastry Bag

Carefully fill your pastry bag with the icing.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (9)

Step 3 – Start Piping

Outline your cookie with a single line of icing.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (10)

Step 4 – Flood the Icing

By going back and forth with your icing, fill in lines of icing. Don’t worry if you have a few empty spots. Now take your cookie and hold it on the sides and jiggle it back and forth. This will spread the icing and create a smooth surface. I did shake one of my cookies too much and it seeped out of the outline. So, I took my finger and cleaned up the outline. 🙂

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Step 5 – Write Your Valentine Sayings

Allow the icing to fully dry, this may take an hour or more. Once you have a hard surface, use your Food Writer Marker on your cookie.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (12)

I hope this project isn’t too overwhelming. Once you make these cookies you’ll be on your way to making pretty cookies for every holiday. It is the basic recipe that you’ll enjoy forever.

I’m super excited to share my friend’s

Gorgeous Valentine’s Day Cookies!

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (13)

Finding Lovely | Lovely Frosted Sugar Cookies

These sweet scalloped cookies are decorated with delicate hearts for the perfect Valentine’s Day treat.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (14)

My 100 Year Old Home | Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies

These Valentine’s Day sugar cookies are so much fun to make. I love that everyone can learn how to decorate these cookies.

Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (15)

Modern Glam | Shortbread Cutout Cookies With Raspberry Glaze

Make these delicious heart-shaped shortbread cookies with raspberry glaze for your valentine!

I hope you enjoyed this Valentine Sugar Cookies post. I can’t wait to share tomorrow’s post, Ok, I’ll see you on Tuesday!

Happy Baking,

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Janine Waite

I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!

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Valentine Sugar Cookies Decorating Ideas (2024)

FAQs

How to easily decorate sugar cookies? ›

Start by outlining the cookie with piping-consistency icing in any color you choose. Then, use flooding-consistency icing to fill the outlined area, starting by flooding around the edges and working your way towards the center. If the flooding is inconsistent in thickness, redistribute the wet icing with a toothpick.

How far in advance can you make decorated sugar cookies? ›

Although I've tested them for longer and the batches I've tried seem fine for up to 4 weeks, my general rule of thumb is up to 2 weeks.

How to dress up sugar cookies? ›

Take plain sugar cookies up a notch with exciting mix-ins like chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, toasted chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit or M&M's. Add these after blending your butter and egg into the sugar cookie mix.

What items do you need to decorate sugar cookies? ›

Necessary Supplies
  1. Disposable Piping Bags/Ziploc Bags (1) Disposable piping bags make clean up a breeze and if you would like to re-use them, you can simply wash them and leave them to dry. ...
  2. Gel Food Coloring (2) ...
  3. Scissors (3) ...
  4. Bowls (small) (4) ...
  5. Toothpicks (5) ...
  6. Silicone Spatulas (6) ...
  7. Couplers (7) ...
  8. Icing Tips (8)
Oct 31, 2019

How do you decorate sugar cookies without piping? ›

I am here to tell you that it's entirely possible and perfectly legit to decorate cookies with a simple icing of powdered sugar and milk using squeeze bottles in place of piping bags. I find that squeeze bottles work just as well for decorating and are easier for us non-pro bakers to work with.

How do you keep sugar cookies soft when decorated? ›

Some folks swear that placing a slice of white bread (or a flour tortilla) in the container with the cookies will keep cookies softer for longer.

Should you refrigerate sugar cookies before decorating? ›

If you refrigerate undecorated sugar cookies, they might last longer, but they can also get dry and crumbly. If you refrigerate decorated cookies, the frosting will likely soften.

How do you display sugar cookies at a party? ›

You can never go wrong with layering your cookies on a simple plate or board! Most of the time, especially when I just bake up one batch of cookies, I will display the cookies on a serving plate, raised stand, or a domed serving plate. One of the new trends floating around on social media is a cookie board!

How do you box up decorated sugar cookies? ›

How To Package and Ship Cookies
  1. Step 1: Wait for the Icing to Dry. Before you package your cookies, make sure the royal icing has fully dried. ...
  2. Step 2: Bag Cookies Individually. Bag your cookies in individual clear bags as normal. ...
  3. Step 3: Wrap Your Cookies. ...
  4. Step 4: What's in the Box(es)? ...
  5. Step 5: Mailing Your Package.

What do professionals use to decorate cookies? ›

With these in your arsenal, all you'll need to bring to the pastry kitchen is a little artistic sensibility.
  • Rolling pin with thickness rings. ...
  • Piping tips and couplers. ...
  • Piping bags. ...
  • Piping bag ties. ...
  • Scribe tool. ...
  • Gel food coloring. ...
  • Edible paint pens.
Aug 27, 2019

How do you stick decorations to cookies? ›

Attach decorations

You can use icing as glue to attach sprinkles to your cookies. After an area of icing has dried, pipe a little dot of icing with a stiff consistency and then press a sprinkle onto it. As the dot of icing dries, it will secure the sprinkle in place.

What are the best kinds of cookies to decorate? ›

Elegant, light gold butter cookies are a classic choice, as is dark and spicy gingerbread. Light spice cookies hover somewhere between those extremes, with oatmeal decorating cookies offering a whole-grain option. And finally, two varieties of gluten-free cookie guarantee everyone in the crowd will be happy.

Do you decorate sugar cookies after baking? ›

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. I like to decorate cookies directly on baking sheets so I can stick the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator to help set the icing. So place the cooled cookies back on baking sheets.

Do you decorate sugar cookies with sprinkles before or after baking? ›

You can do either or both! Add sprinkles to the dough only, dip the cookies in sprinkles before baking, or add sprinkles to the dough and then dip the cookies in sprinkles before baking. It's really up to you!

How do you spruce up boxed sugar cookies? ›

Add different flavors.

You could use peppermint, lemon, or almond extract instead of vanilla, dump in plenty of rainbow sprinkles, or even mix in chopped nuts or dried fruit! Let your kids be involved in the planning and let them experiment with different ingredients.

References

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