Valentine’s Day calls for something special — why not fill your kitchen with the aroma of homemade cookies? This collection features heart-shaped classics, fruity shortcuts using cake mixes, rich red velvet delights, and indulgent chocolate-peanut butter bites. Most are beginner-friendly with minimal chill time, and they stay soft for days.
1. Heart Cookies (Classic Soft Vanilla Heart Sugar Cookies)
These buttery, tender cut-out cookies are shaped into perfect hearts and topped with sprinkles or icing — the ultimate romantic treat.
Ingredients (makes about 24–30 cookies):
- 2 cups cake flour
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup + 1 Tbsp salted butter, softened
- 1 egg white
- ¼ cup butter-flavored shortening
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Pink food coloring (optional)
- Valentine sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Cream butter, shortening, and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes). Add egg white and vanilla; beat well.
- Whisk flours, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Gradually mix into wet ingredients. Add pink coloring if desired.
- Chill dough 20–30 minutes. Roll into balls, then in remaining sugar. Flatten and cut with heart cutter (or shape by hand).
- Bake 8–10 minutes until edges set. Cool on rack.
- Decorate with royal icing or sprinkles.
Notes: For cut-outs that hold shape, chill dough well and avoid over-flouring. These freeze beautifully unbaked — cut, freeze flat, then bake from frozen (add 1–2 minutes).
2. Valentine Cookies (Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies)
Bright pink, ultra-soft, and bursting with strawberry — these 3-ingredient wonders are topped with candy hearts.
Ingredients (makes about 24 cookies):
- 1 (15.25 oz) box strawberry cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- Candy hearts or sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line sheets.
- Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil into dough.
- Scoop 1.5 Tbsp balls; place 2 inches apart.
- Bake 8–10 minutes. Press candy hearts on warm cookies.
- Cool completely.
Notes: Dough is sticky — use a cookie scoop. Add 1 cup white chocolate chips for extra decadence.
3. Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies
Crinkly, fudgy red velvet cookies with tangy cream cheese — like red velvet cake in every bite!
Ingredients (makes about 24–30):
- 1 (15.25 oz) red velvet cake mix
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 6 Tbsp butter, additional softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2.5 cups powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat cream cheese, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add cake mix; mix into dough.
- Chill 30 minutes. Roll into balls; coat in powdered sugar.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until crinkled.
Notes: Full-fat cream cheese is key for tang. For stuffing variation, freeze cream cheese dollops and enclose in dough.
4. Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Hearts
No-bake peanut butter hearts dipped in chocolate — like gourmet Reese’s, but heart-shaped!
Ingredients (makes about 20–25 hearts):
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups chocolate chips
- 3 Tbsp shortening
- Valentine sprinkles
Instructions:
- Mix peanut butter, butter, sugar, and vanilla into dough.
- Roll ¼-inch thick between parchment; cut hearts. Freeze 30–60 minutes.
- Melt chocolate with shortening. Dip frozen hearts; place on wax paper.
- Drizzle extra chocolate; add sprinkles. Chill to set.
Notes: Use regular (not natural) peanut butter to avoid oil separation. Store in fridge up to 2 weeks.
5. Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies (with White Chocolate)
Chewy pink cookies loaded with white chocolate chips — a fruity dream!
Ingredients (makes about 24):
- 1 (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix cake mix, oil, eggs; fold in chips.
- Scoop onto sheets.
- Bake 9–11 minutes.
Notes: These stay soft — store airtight.
6. Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft cookies with tart maraschino cherries and melty chocolate chips — pink-tinted perfection.
Ingredients (makes about 30):
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 Tbsp maraschino cherry juice
- 2–3 drops pink food coloring (optional)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries (drained, patted dry)
Instructions:
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugars. Add egg, vanilla, juice, coloring.
- Mix in flour + baking soda. Fold in chips and cherries.
- Scoop; bake 10–12 minutes. Press extra cherries/chips on top.
Notes: Pat cherries very dry to prevent soggy dough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make these ahead? Yes! Most dough freezes well (up to 3 months). Baked cookies last 4–5 days in airtight containers; freeze up to 2 months.
How do I prevent spreading? Chill dough 20–60 minutes. Use parchment and avoid over-greasing sheets.
Substitutions? Use gluten-free cake mix for cake-mix versions. Swap vegetable oil for melted butter (slightly richer). For nut-free, skip peanut butter hearts.
Best storage? Room temperature in airtight containers (except chocolate-dipped — fridge to prevent melting).
Can kids help? Absolutely! Cutting hearts, rolling balls, and adding sprinkles are fun, safe tasks.
Conclusion
These six Valentine’s cookies capture everything we love about the holiday: vibrant colors, soft textures, and irresistible flavors that say “I care” without words. From quick cake-mix shortcuts to classic cut-outs and decadent dipped treats, there’s something for every baker and sweet tooth.
Whether you’re surprising someone special in Casablanca or sharing with friends, these recipes turn ordinary moments into sweet memories. Bake a batch (or all six!), snap photos of your creations, and tag your loved ones — because nothing says love like homemade cookies. Happy Valentine’s Day — may your kitchen be filled with joy and your hearts with sweetness! 🥰🍪❤️