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Valentine’s Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting

A delightful recipe for soft, buttery sugar cookies topped with creamy buttercream frosting, perfect for Valentine’s Day and other celebrations.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

For the Sugar Cookies
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened adds a creamy texture to the dough
  • 1 cup granulated sugar provides sweetness
  • 1 large egg for richness and binding
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract for aromatic flavor
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract enhances overall taste
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour forms the structure
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder ensures cookies rise
  • 1/4 tsp salt enhances sweetness
For the Buttercream Frosting
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened for a creamy base
  • 3 cups powdered sugar provides sweetness and smoothness
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract for flavor
  • 1 tsp almond extract to complement the frosting
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream gives frosting its luxurious texture
  • food coloring in pink and red for decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy.
  4. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until smooth.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, blending until fully mixed. If crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
  6. Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll out each portion on a floured surface.
  7. Roll the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch, using cookie cutters to create shapes.
Baking
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until edges are slightly golden. Let cool before transferring to a wire rack.
Frosting
  1. For the buttercream frosting, beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and heavy whipping cream until smooth.
  2. Add food coloring to achieve desired shades and decorate cooled cookies.

Notes

Chill rolled-out dough for 30 minutes before cutting to maintain shape. Experiment with different extracts and food colorings for unique variations.