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Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies – Easy Royal Icing Recipe for Valentine’s Day

Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies - featured image
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Tender, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies shaped like hearts and decorated with glossy royal icing, perfect for Valentine’s Day gifting or celebrations. Personalize each cookie with sweet messages for a nostalgic, joyful treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (227g)
  • 2 oz cream cheese, softened (57g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (10ml)
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract (2ml, optional)
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder (6g)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (2g)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (480g)
  • 3 tbsp meringue powder (21g)
  • 5–6 tbsp warm water (75–90ml)
  • 1 tsp clear vanilla extract (5ml)
  • Gel food coloring (assorted pastel colors)
  • Piping bags (disposable or reusable)
  • Small round tips (Wilton #1 or #2)
  • Toothpicks

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes on medium speed).
  2. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until just combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low until the dough pulls together. If dry, add 1–2 tsp milk.
  4. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, flatten into a disk, and chill for at least 45 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
  6. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out heart shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
  7. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set and just barely golden. Cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. In a clean bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water. Beat on low until combined, then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 5 minutes, until thick and glossy.
  9. Add clear vanilla extract. Adjust consistency with water if needed. Divide icing into bowls and tint with pastel gel food coloring.
  10. Fill piping bags with colored icing. Pipe an outline around each cookie, then flood with more icing. Use a toothpick to spread icing and pop air bubbles.
  11. Let icing set for at least 1 hour (overnight is best). Once dry, use a small round tip and contrasting icing color to write messages.
  12. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months.

Notes

Chill dough thoroughly for best shape. Practice piping messages on parchment before decorating cookies. For gluten-free or dairy-free adaptations, use 1:1 gluten-free flour and plant-based butter/cream cheese. Cookies taste even better on day two as flavors deepen. Don’t stress about perfection—homemade quirks make them lovable.

Nutrition

Keywords: Valentine's Day, sugar cookies, royal icing, heart cookies, conversation hearts, holiday baking, decorated cookies, easy sugar cookies, kid-friendly, party treats

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