Valentine sugar cookies strawberry icing (Print Version)

Buttery sugar treats shaped with care, adorned with smooth strawberry icing perfect for sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sugar Cookies

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Strawberry Icing

08 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
09 - 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh strawberry purée
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
11 - Pinch of salt
12 - Pink or red gel food coloring, optional

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture; beat until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing on low speed just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into heart shapes or desired shapes using cookie cutters.
08 - Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until edges are just golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
09 - Blend fresh strawberries into a smooth purée. In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons strawberry purée, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Adjust consistency with additional purée for thinner icing or powdered sugar for thicker. Tint with food coloring if desired.
10 - Decorate completely cooled cookies with strawberry icing using a piping bag or offset spatula. Allow icing to set completely before serving or storing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough is genuinely forgiving and actually tastes like real butter, not that synthetic vanilla overdose.
  • Fresh strawberry icing hits different than food coloring alone—you can taste the actual fruit.
  • They're impressive enough to gift but easy enough that you won't stress while making them.
02 -
  • Don't skip chilling the dough—room temperature dough spreads too much and your hearts become blobs, which I learned the hard way.
  • Strawberry seeds in the icing are fine and add character, but if you want it perfectly smooth, strain the purée through fine mesh before using.
03 -
  • If you want richer flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the dough—it's subtle but sophisticated.
  • A piping bag with a small round tip gives you the cleanest icing lines, but an offset spatula works beautifully too if you want a more rustic look.
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