There’s something magical about baking cookies that look like little love notes from Cupid himself. These Kiss Sugar Cookies have been my Valentine’s Day tradition ever since my niece declared them “the most romantic cookies ever” when she was five. The simple heart-shaped sprinkles and rosy tint make them irresistible, but the real secret is in that perfect sugar cookie texture, crisp edges with just the right chewiness in the center.
I love how these cookies bring people together. Whether you’re surprising your sweetheart, hosting a Galentine’s party, or just treating yourself (because self-love counts!), they’re guaranteed to make anyone feel special. The almond extract adds this delicate flavor that makes them taste fancier than they really are, don’t tell anyone it only takes about half an hour from start to finish!
Every year when February rolls around, my kitchen fills with the sweet scent of vanilla and almond as I bake batch after batch. These cookies have sealed first dates, mended broken hearts, and celebrated lifelong loves in my family. Now I’m sharing all my little tricks so you can create your own sweet memories with these adorable Kiss Sugar Cookies.
Why You’ll Love These Kiss Sugar Cookies
Listen, I know Valentine’s Day baking can feel overwhelming, but these cookies? They’re the sweetest little shortcut to holiday magic. Trust me, you’ll fall head over heels for them because:
- They come together in under 30 minutes, perfect for last-minute romance!
- The almond-vanilla combo creates bakery-worthy flavor with pantry staples
- That rosy tint and sprinkles make them Instagram-pretty without any fuss
- The texture strikes that dreamy balance between crisp and chewy
- Kids can help decorate (though warning: you may lose some sprinkles to tiny fingers)
I’ve seen these cookies make stone-cold hearts melt, they’re that good. The best part? You probably have everything you need already waiting in your kitchen! If you’re looking for more Valentine’s inspiration, check out some great ideas over at familytastes.com.
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“25-Minute Kiss Sugar Cookies – Irresistibly Sweet”
Delicious Valentine’s Day sugar cookies shaped like kisses, perfect for sharing love through homemade sweets.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Pink or red food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
- If desired, add food coloring and mix until evenly distributed.
- Roll dough into small balls and place on baking sheets. Flatten slightly with your hand.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter while still warm.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough.
- Use heart-shaped sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Ingredients for Kiss Sugar Cookies
Gather these simple ingredients, I bet most are already in your pantry! The magic happens when they all come together:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, please, no packing!)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (the secret lift for perfect cookies)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (balances the sweetness beautifully)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes, trust me on this)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (for that classic sugar cookie sweetness)
- 1 large egg (room temperature blends better)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the good stuff makes a difference)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (my not-so-secret weapon)
- Pink or red food coloring (optional, but so festive!)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (because everything’s better with sparkles)
See? Nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned ingredients ready to work their Valentine’s Day magic! If you enjoy simple, classic baking, you might also like my recipe for heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink icing.
Equipment You’ll Need
No fancy gadgets required here! Just grab these kitchen essentials:
- Large mixing bowl (for all that sweet, buttery goodness)
- Electric mixer (a wooden spoon works if you’re feeling nostalgic)
- Baking sheets (two is perfect for rotating batches)
- Parchment paper (your cookie-saving grace for easy cleanup)
- Measuring cups and spoons (accuracy matters with these beauties)
- Wire cooling rack (so your kisses don’t get soggy bottoms)
That’s it! Now let’s make some magic happen.
How to Make Kiss Sugar Cookies
Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Making these adorable cookies is easier than you think, I’ll walk you through each step so you end up with perfect little edible kisses every time.
Preparing the Dough
First, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, this prevents lumps later. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy and dreamy (about 2 minutes). Add the egg, vanilla, and that magical almond extract, mixing until fluffy. Now gradually add the dry ingredients, I do it in three batches to avoid flour explosions! Want that pretty pink color? Add food coloring drop by drop until you get the perfect Valentine’s shade.
Shaping and Baking
Roll tablespoon-sized dough balls between your palms, no need to be perfect, rustic is charming! Place them 2 inches apart on parchment-lined sheets, then gently flatten each with your palm or a glass. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start turning golden. They’ll look soft but firm up as they cool, transfer to racks after 5 minutes.
Decorating Your Cookies
Here’s where the magic happens! While the cookies are still slightly warm, shower them with sprinkles or edible glitter, the warmth helps them stick. I keep different colored sugars in small bowls so my nieces can “paint” the cookies with their fingers. Pro tip: work over a baking sheet to catch runaway sprinkles, your floor will thank you!
Tips for Perfect Kiss Sugar Cookies
After years of baking these Valentine treats (and a few hilarious cookie disasters), I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference:
- If your dough feels sticky, chill it for 20 minutes – cold dough holds its shape better
- Parchment paper is non-negotiable unless you enjoy scraping cookies off pans
- Rotate baking sheets halfway through for even browning (my oven has a hot spot that creates lopsided hearts!)
- Store cooled cookies in layers separated by parchment – they’ll stay fresh for days
- For extra sparkle, brush warm cookies with corn syrup before adding sprinkles
Remember – imperfect cookies still taste amazing! The best ones always have extra love baked in. For another fun, festive cookie, try these red velvet crinkle cookies.
Variations for Kiss Sugar Cookies
Oh, the possibilities! These cookies are like a blank canvas for your creativity. My sister adds a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for a warm, cozy twist, perfect for winter weddings. Lemon or orange zest makes them wonderfully bright for spring celebrations. For non-traditionalists, swap pink food coloring for purple and use star sprinkles, instant galaxy cookies! I’ve even rolled the edges in crushed freeze-dried strawberries for a fruity surprise. The best part? Every variation still delivers that signature Kiss magic. If you like fruit flavors, you might enjoy these strawberry cheesecake cookies.
Serving and Storing Kiss Sugar Cookies
These sweet little kisses stay fresh for days if you store them right! I always use an airtight container with parchment between layers, they’ll keep their perfect texture for up to 5 days this way. Want to recapture that just-baked magic? Pop them in a 300°F oven for 2 minutes to revive the crisp edges.
For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in a single layer before transferring to freezer bags. They’ll keep for 3 months (though let’s be honest, they never last that long in my house!). Thaw at room temperature when Cupid calls.
Nutritional Information
Each of these sweet little Kiss Sugar Cookies has about 120 calories, not bad for such a romantic treat! They contain 8g sugar, 5g fat (3g saturated), and 17g carbs per cookie. Remember, these are estimates, exact values can vary based on your specific ingredients and how generous you are with those sprinkles!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the dough for later?
Absolutely! Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, it rolls perfectly once it comes to cool room temperature. This trick saved me when I needed last-minute Valentine’s treats!
How do I make the cookies softer?
The secret’s in the bake time, pull them out at 10 minutes for ultra-soft cookies (they’ll firm up slightly as they cool). Adding 1 tablespoon of corn syrup to the dough also keeps them wonderfully chewy for days.
Can I skip the almond extract?
Of course, but you’ll miss that special something! If you must, use all vanilla, but try 1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract instead for a lovely citrus twist. My neighbor swears this version makes the cookies taste like pink lemonade cheesecake squares!
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Usually means your butter was too soft or the dough wasn’t chilled enough. I’ve learned the hard way, if your kitchen’s warm, always give the shaped cookies a quick 15-minute fridge rest before baking. Works like magic!