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You are here for the right reason! You want to make the BEST Sugar Cookies ever! I think we all want that one, reliable recipe in our arsenal for all seasons! LOOK. NO. FURTHER!
These happen to be hearts for Valentine’s Day but you can make them for any and every season!! Make them with your friends, little ones or have a baking date by yourself!
Understanding This Recipe
Here’s some questions to help you understand all aspects to this recipe! If you have any further questions, please ask away in the comments below!
Do I have to chill the dough?
Most cut-out sugar cookies need to be chilled! With this recipe, you can make the dough and bake it right away! I don’t recommend chilling the dough but if you have to, I recommend you letting it set out until room temperature before rolling & cutting!
Can I double this recipe?
Of course you can double this recipe! It is perfect for doubling and your cookies will come out just how you want but you’ll have more to share! When you go to print the recipe below, you can “2x” the recipe so you don’t have to do math on the measurements yourself!
Why Vanilla Bean Paste? Can I use Vanilla Extract instead?
Well, simple and short answer.. I LOVE VANILLA BEAN PASTE! I think it has the best flavor and I absolutely love having the visible vanilla bean dots in everything! If you don’t have Vanilla Bean Paste, feel free to use Vanilla Extract!
Do I have to use Almond Extract? It’s not my fave!
No, you can replace the Almond Extract with the same amount of Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract! Totally up to your personal preference!
How Thick should I roll out these cookies?
These cookies should be about 1/4 inch thick in order to stay nice and soft inside! I also sometimes accidentally go a little thinner & I love them just as much!
How many cookies will this recipe make?
It all depends on the size of your cookie cutter! With the heart shape cutter I used, I got about 24 cookies! If you want more than that or are using a large cutter, double the batch!
What is the best frosting for these cookies?
CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST CREAM CHEESE FROSTING RECIPE THAT IS SHOWN WITH THIS COOKIE! The frosting shown on the cookies is my Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting that is TO DIE FOR! Of course, it has Vanilla Bean Paste in it! There’s nothing like frosting with those little dots! The duo is drool-worthy and I HIGHLY recommend making them both together!
The only sugar cookie recipe you’ll need! No chilling time, cuts into shape perfectly and will leave your friends and family wondering when you’ll make them next!
Ingredients
Scale
1 Cup Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature
1 Cup Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla Bean Paste
1/2 tsp. Almond Extract
1 Egg, Room Temperature
3 cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, cream together unsalted butter and sugar on medium speed. Beat together until the mixture is smooth. About 3 minutes.
Beat in vanilla bean paste, almond extract and egg.
Add in dry ingredients low and slow until it is fully incorporated. The dough should be pulling away from your bowl/mixer.
Divide the dough into 4 separate sections for rolling and cutting to be easier!
Roll one dough section out and cut with your preferred cookie cutter design! You want the cookies to be about 1/4 inch thick!
Bake at 350 F for 6-8 minutes on a silicone or parchment lined pan. I prefer 6 minutes so that they are perfectly chewy once cooled!
Pull them out and let them cool on the cookie tray for about 10 minutes to firm up while the other tray is baking. Once its time to switch pans, let them cool on a rack until ready to frost/decorate!
ENJOY!!
Notes
I prefer Vanilla Paste for the richness and vanilla bean dots in the cookies! You’re more than welcome to subsitute with Vanilla Extract!
Almond Extract is totally a personal preference! You can take it out if you’d like and add a little extra vanilla in place!
If you only have salted butter on hand, no worries! Use it and instead don’t add the salt that is called for!
I stumbled upon this recipe on Instagram and I knew I HAD to have some! I used vanilla extract instead of the paste because I had that on hand, and instead of almond extract I added extra vanilla! This recipe is so delicious. The cheesecake frosting is creamy and so tasty! It was a huge hit at home, I will be making it again! I found my new Valentine’s Day cookie tradition 🤍
Thank you Michelle! I’m so happy I could help you find your Valentine’s Day cookie tradition! It’s definitely the yummiest!!! Happy Valentine’s Day!!! xo, Nicole Carey
For starters, these cookies are DELICIOUS. Not only are they yummy but they were so so easy to make, role out and cut into hearts! Will 100% be making these again.
Seriously! I have tried to perfect making sugar cookie dough for years! This recipe is the bomb dot com! So tasty and even addictive. You won’t be disappointed.
Awhhh! Your cookies turned out AMAZING!! I loved that you stuffed them with Reese’s! Such an amazing idea!! Thank you for your review Sierra! xo, Nicole Carey!
I stumbled upon this recipe on Instagram and I knew I HAD to have some! I used vanilla extract instead of the paste because I had that on hand, and instead of almond extract I added extra vanilla! This recipe is so delicious. The cheesecake frosting is creamy and so tasty! It was a huge hit at home, I will be making it again! I found my new Valentine’s Day cookie tradition 🤍
★★★★★
Thank you Michelle! I’m so happy I could help you find your Valentine’s Day cookie tradition! It’s definitely the yummiest!!! Happy Valentine’s Day!!! xo, Nicole Carey
Absolutely mouth watering sugar cookies!! You’ll never want to make any other sugar cookie again!
★★★★★
YAY! I’m so happy to hear you love them as much as I do! It’s truly the BEST! Thank you for sharing & rating!
For starters, these cookies are DELICIOUS. Not only are they yummy but they were so so easy to make, role out and cut into hearts! Will 100% be making these again.
★★★★★
Thank you for your kind words! I loved seeing your cookies! Thank you for tagging me! xo, Nicole Carey!
Literally the easiest and yummiest sugar cookie recipe!! Made these for Valentine’s Day with my little & they were a HUGE hit!!
★★★★★
Taylor, thank you SO MUCH for your feedback! I’m so happy that you love them & had an easy time with them! xo, Nicole Carey!
Hands down, best sugar cookies you will ever eat and extremely easy to make!
★★★★★
Hi, Lauren! This makes me so happy to hear! I loved seeing your beautiful cookies you made!!! Thank you for all the kind words! xo, Nicole Carey!
Seriously! I have tried to perfect making sugar cookie dough for years! This recipe is the bomb dot com! So tasty and even addictive. You won’t be disappointed.
Tiffany! This is so wonderful!! I’m happy that you have found a dough you love this much. I agree, SO addictive! Thank you! xo, Nicole Carey!
I finally made Nicole’s sugar cookies & oh my goodness they were perfect! The recipe is easy and the cookies are delicious!
★★★★★
Awhhh! Your cookies turned out AMAZING!! I loved that you stuffed them with Reese’s! Such an amazing idea!! Thank you for your review Sierra! xo, Nicole Carey!