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Celebrate love with these easy Valentine’s Day iced shortbread cookies! Simple ingredients, fun decorations, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Valentine's Day iced shortbread cookies in white, red, and pink, decorated with heart-shaped sprinkles.

If you’re looking for more ideas to add a pop of red or pink to your celebration, try some fun recipes like chocolate-dipped strawberries, brownies topped with berry cream, or even chocolate bark. For breakfast, you could whip up some chocolate berry pancakes or a delicate berry crèpes cake. And if you’re craving a cake, the Morello cherry sponge is perfect for a fruity, sweet treat.

With these colorful and festive options, your Valentine’s Day will be full of tasty surprises!

Celebrate love with these easy Valentine’s Day iced shortbread cookies! Simple ingredients, fun decorations, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. These cookies are a great way to add a homemade touch to your Valentine’s celebration. Whether you’re baking with the kids, surprising a partner, or preparing treats for friends, these cookies will make your day even more special.

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To impress your loved one this Valentine’s Day, start your meal with something warm and inviting, like baked gorgonzola pears. This quick appetizer sets a cozy tone for the evening. If you want something heartier, consider a comforting roasted vegetable soup or a vegan lentil soup, served alongside freshly baked bread toast. These dishes are not only delicious but also a great way to start your culinary journey together.

For the main course, elevate your dinner with oven-roasted duck paired with creamy butternut squash puree. This dish adds a touch of sophistication to your table and is sure to impress. Alternatively, you could opt for a light yet satisfying couscous salmon salad, packed with fresh flavors that will leave your taste buds singing. With these mains, you’ll create a memorable dining experience that shows just how much you care!

VIDEO: Watch us make the recipe

Why You’ll Love This

These Valentine’s Day iced shortbread cookies are not only simple to make but also incredibly fun to decorate. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, these cookies bring a festive spirit to any celebration. The buttery shortbread base pairs wonderfully with colourful icing and sprinkles, making them a hit for all ages. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening or a fun gathering, these cookies will brighten up your day.

What You’ll Need

Heart-shaped shortbread cookies: Store-bought shortbread is a quick option, or you can use homemade. Make sure they’re completely cool before icing.
Food colouring: Use various colours to create a festive look. Gel food colouring works best for bright results without thinning the icing.
Sprinkles: Heart-shaped sprinkles or classic ones are perfect for decorating. Add them while the icing is still wet.
Icing sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet icing. Sift to avoid lumps.
Milk: Thins the icing for easy spreading. Use any type of milk.
Lemon juice: Balances the sweetness. Optional if you prefer a neutral icing.

How to Make These Valentine’s Day Iced Shortbread Cookies

Craving a sweet treat? Try our Valentine’s Day Iced Shortbread Cookies! They’re quick to make and filled with fun colours and sprinkles. We’ll walk you through each step, from mixing the icing to decorating the cookies. Your kitchen will be filled with delightful scents!

Check out our handy guide with step-by-step photos for an easy experience!

A white bowl filled with icing sugar, milk, and lemon juice being mixed together to create a smooth icing.

A two-picture collage showing the process of adding food coloring to icing. The first image displays white icing with a drop of red food coloring, and the second image shows the same icing fully mixed into a smooth red color.

Prepare the icing by mixing icing sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth. Add food colouring and mix until you reach your desired shade.

A two-picture collage featuring heart-shaped cookies being iced. One cookie is dipped in white icing, while the other is dipped in red icing, both covering the entire surface evenly."

A two-picture collage showing one heart-shaped cookie dipped halfway in pink icing and another heart-shaped cookie dipped in red icing, both evenly coated

Ice each heart-shaped cookie and spread the icing evenly. While still wet, decorate with sprinkles or other toppings. Let the cookies sit at room temperature to allow the icing to set. Once firm, they’re ready to serve and share!

A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

A two-picture collage: the first image shows a heart-shaped cookie fully dipped in red icing and topped with heart-shaped sprinkles, while the second image displays a plate of decorated heart-shaped cookies.

Substitutions

If you need to make adjustments, consider these substitutions:

Shortbread Cookies: You can use homemade shortbread cookies if preferred, I have written a simple recipe in the post, feel free to check it out.
Food Coloring: Natural food dyes can be used as a healthier option.
Milk: Substitute almond milk or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
Lemon Juice: Replace with vanilla extract for a different flavour.

Variations

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies: Use chocolate-flavoured shortbread instead of traditional.
Different Shapes: Cut cookies into various shapes using cookie cutters for other occasions.
Flavored Icing: Add a drop of vanilla extract to the icing for a sweet twist.

A Short and Simple Recipe to Make Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients for 12 cookies:

⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup (32 g) powdered sugar
⅓ teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup (83 g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
⅙ teaspoon table salt

Instructions

Prepare the dough: In a bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mix until the dough comes together and is slightly crumbly.
Shape the cookies: Once the dough is ready, roll it out or press it into a baking pan.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden colour.
Cool and decorate: Once the cookies have cooled, you can ice and decorate them as desired for a festive touch.

These shortbread cookies are simple and delicious, and decorating them adds that extra special charm!

Storage

Store your Valentine’s Day iced shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep fresh for about a week. If you live in a humid area, consider refrigerating them to maintain the icing’s integrity.

FAQs

Can I freeze the iced shortbread cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the cookies. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw at room temperature.

How do I prevent the icing from running?
Make sure the icing is thick enough before spreading it on the cookies. If it seems too runny, add a bit more icing sugar.

What can I use if I don’t have icing sugar?
You can make your own icing sugar by blending granulated sugar until it’s a fine powder.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea or coffee. They also make a lovely gift for friends and family, especially when packaged in a decorative box or tin. You can also present them at parties or special occasions to add a sweet touch to your dessert table.

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