Description
These Conversation Heart Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for Valentine’s Day or any occasion that calls for a little love and creativity. Soft, buttery, and easy to decorate, these heart-shaped sugar cookies are topped with pastel icing and fun messages—just like the nostalgic candy. Whether you’re baking with kids, gifting to friends, or just treating yourself, these cookies are as delightful to make as they are to eat.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted vegan butter or regular butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water) or 1 regular egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons plant-based milk or regular milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring (pink, purple, yellow, green, blue, etc.)
- Red food coloring gel or edible markers for writing messages
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add flax egg (or regular egg) and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture and mix until dough forms.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into heart shapes and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but not browned. Let cool on sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
To Decorate:
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to form smooth icing.
- Divide into bowls and tint with food coloring.
- Frost cooled cookies and let set for at least 1 hour.
- Once dry, write messages with red gel or edible pens.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add ½ tsp xanthan gum if needed.
- Flavor twist: Add lemon or orange zest to the dough, or almond/strawberry extract to the icing.
- Colorful dough: Tint dough itself with gel food coloring for extra fun.
- Royal icing option: Use royal icing for more precise decorating.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days, or freeze up to 1 month.
