Valentine Cookies Recipe (2025)

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Valentine Cookies Recipe (1)

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Valentine Cookies are the sweetest way to send a little love to your favorite people! These cookies are crisp on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, and decorated with red, pink, and white M&Ms for a festive touch. No chilling is required and one batch makes a perfect baker’s dozen.

For more Valentine’s Day recipes, check out these adorable Valentine Rice Krispie Treats or make a bowl of this sweet Valentine Snack Mix.

How to make Valentine Cookies

This is a basic chocolate chip cookie dough recipe, the same one I use for my white chocolate chip cookies and butterscotch chocolate chip cookies, I just swap out the chocolate chips for M&Ms!

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • Unsalted Butter
  • White and brown sugar
  • An egg
  • Vanilla
  • All purpose flour (Gold Medal brand is my top choice for cookies).
  • Baking soda
  • Salt (I use Kosher salt)
  • M&M candies, the “Cupid’s Mix” blend (or any red, white, and pink colored candies)

Instructions

To make the dough, start by heating a stick of unsalted butter until just melted, but not bubbling. Set it aside to cool slightly. The butter should be warm and melted, but not hot to the touch.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the brown and the white sugar.

Pour the melted butter over the sugars and mix on low until the ingredients are combined and glossy, about 30-45 seconds.

Add in the egg and vanilla and mix on low until the egg is just incorporated.

To the mixing bowl, pour in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set the mixer to low speed and mix the ingredients until just combined, streaks of flour are ok.

Pour in about 3/4 cup of the M&Ms, and finish mixing the dough by hand using a rubber spatula or spoon. Mix until the M&Ms are evenly distributed and no streaks of flour remain.

Scoop mounds of cookie dough (about two tablespoons in size) and place them on the two cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart. Add additional M&Ms to the top of the cookies if desired.

Valentine Cookies Recipe (2)

Let the cookie dough sit for about 20-30 minutes to let the flour absorb all the butter and sugar. The dough will become firmer and drier. While you wait, preheat the oven to 375º.

After the cookie dough has rested, bake the cookies at 375º for 8-10 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are just starting to lightly brown and the centers have puffed. They will be a little underbaked when you remove them from the oven, but that’s what you want. They’ll finish setting as they cool.

Allow the cookies to set on the cookie sheet for 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

If you want to make perfectly round, professional looking cookies, see below!

Making perfectly round Valentine Cookies

Valentine Cookies Recipe (3)

For perfectly round cookies, use a cookie cutter to shape the cookies right when they come out of the oven.

Select a cookie cutter that’s slightly larger than the baked cookies themselves. Place the cutter around the hot cookie and using a swirling motion, mold the edges of the cooking into a circle. We’re not cutting the cookies into circles, we’re using the inside of the cookie cutter to mold the edges.

Make sure to do this while the cookies are still hot, it won’t work for cooled cookies.

Pro Tips

  • Don’t let the butter get too hot. After melting the butter, let it cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients. The butter should be melted and warm, but not hot to the touch. Adding the butter to the mix when it’s too hot will melt the sugars and throw off the texture of the dough.
  • Hydrate the flour. Make sure to let the scooped cookie dough sit for 20-30 minutes before baking. This will give the flour time to absorb the butter and sugars which will deepen the flavors, prevent spreading, and promote even baking.
  • Underbake the cookies. Make sure to pull the cookies out of the oven when they just START turning brown along the bottom edge. The centers of the cookies will be puffed, but will still feel gooey to the touch and that’s what you want. As the cookies cool on the pan, they’ll actually continue to cook for a few more minutes. So taking the cookies out of the oven when they look underdone will ensure that you have a soft and chewy center after they’ve cooled.
  • Cool completely before wrapping up or packaging. Allow the cookies to cool completely before packaging in cellophane or any wrapping. The M&Ms stay melty for a long time, so give them time to firm back up again so they don’t smudge your cute packaging.

FAQs

How long will these cookies last?

These cookies are best the day they’re baked but will keep for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes! I like to bake my cookies, let them cool completely, and store them in a freezer safe bag in the freezer for months! When I’m ready to serve, I take out the number I need and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

The raw dough can be frozen as well and kept in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to bake, take out the quantity needed and let them thaw at room temperature completely before baking. Bake at 375º for 8-12 minutes.

Do I need to chill the cookie dough before baking?

Nope! They need to sit and firm up for about 20-30 minutes before baking, but no chilling is required.

How To Store

Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. While not necessary, you can store the cookies in the fridge for a longer shelf life. This is great if you live in a particularly humid climate.

Valentine Cookies Recipe (4)

How to decorate Valentine Cookies

  • To make these look extra pretty and professional, add 3-4 extra M&Ms to the top of the dough balls before baking. This puts those sweet Valentine’s candies front and center.
  • For even more embellishment, you could add some Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles to the outside of the cookie dough balls before baking.
  • After baking, try dipping the cooled cookies in chocolate or colored candy melts (pink, red, or white) and add additional chopped M&Ms or sprinkles for extra flare!
Valentine Cookies Recipe (5)

Valentine's Day Cookies

Yield: 13

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Thick and chewy cookies loaded with Valentine's Day colored candies!

Ingredients

  • 1 stick (4oz) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (packed) dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cups of all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup red, white, and pink M&M candies, plus more for decorating

Instructions

  1. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Heat the butter in the microwave or in a saucepan until melted. Once melted, set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add both the brown sugar and the white sugar.
  4. Feel the melted butter to make sure it isn't too hot. The butter should be warm, still liquid, but not too hot to touch with a finger. Pour the melted butter over the sugars and mix on low until the ingredients are combined and glossy, about 30-45 seconds.
  5. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix on low until the egg is just incorporated.
  6. To the mixing bowl, pour in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set the mixer to low speed and mix the ingredients until just combined, streaks of flour are ok.
  7. Remove the mixing bowl from the mixer and pour in 3/4 cup of the Valentine M&Ms., Finish mixing the dough by hand using a rubber spatula or a spoon. Gently mix until the M&Ms are evenly distributed and no streaks of flour remain.
  8. Scoop mounds of cookie dough (about two tablespoons in size) and place them on the prepared sheet pans. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart. If desired, gently press 3-4 M&Ms onto the top of each dough ball for decoration.
  9. Allow the cookie dough to sit at room temperature on the cookie sheets for about 20-30 minutes to let the flour hydrate and absorb the flavors.
  10. While you wait, preheat the oven to 375º.
  11. After resting, the dough will no longer feel sticky, and the cookie dough balls will now be easy to pick up.
  12. Bake the cookies at 375º for 8-10 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are just starting to lightly brown and the centers have puffed. They will be a little underbaked when you remove them from the oven, but that's what you want. They'll finish setting as they cool.
  13. Allow the cookies to sit for about 10-15 minutes on the sheet pan before transferring them to a cooling rack or a serving platter. The centers will be warm and gooey and the edges will be delightfully crisp and brown.

Notes

  • I like Gold Medal or King Arthur brand all purpose flour for this cookie recipe. I find my cookies spread less in the oven.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely to room temperature before packaging and distributing. The M&Ms need time to firm back up or else they'll smear all over your cute packaging!
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 13Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 154Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 120mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g

Valentine Cookies Recipe (2025)

FAQs

What is the secret to a good cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  • Always use butter.
  • Choose the right sugar.
  • Choose the right flour.
  • Check your flour is in date.
  • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  • Cream the butter and sugar.
  • Beat in the eggs.
  • Fold in the flour.

What to write on a Valentine's cookie? ›

Here are some ideas for Valentine cookie surprises for those you love!
  1. You Float My Boat.
  2. U Have the Key to My Heart.
  3. I Heart You Bear-y Much.
  4. U R Cute As A Button.
  5. Some Bunny Loves You.
  6. You Are Toad-aly Cool.
  7. U R The Apple Of My Eye.

What does baking powder do in sugar cookies? ›

Baking powder is a two-in-one chemical leavening that combines a powdered alkali (sodium bicarbonate) with a powdered acid (originally, tartaric acid). When moistened in a dough or batter, a chemical reaction takes place that produces carbon dioxide gas, inflating cookies, cakes, and pancakes.

How do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

How To Make Cookies Chewy Without Cornstarch
  1. Go heavy on brown sugar. It has more moisture than its granulated counterpart, which means the cookie comes out less crispy. ...
  2. Choose margarine or shortening instead of butter. ...
  3. Use baking powder instead of baking soda. ...
  4. Rest your dough. ...
  5. Shorten baking time.
May 14, 2023

What makes cookies rise better? ›

Baking Powder. The type of leavening you use in your cookies doesn't just help them rise while baking, it affects their texture and structure too. Baking soda in cookies yields a denser cookie with craggy tops, while baking powder causes cookies to rise higher during baking for a cakier texture.

How do you doctor up Pillsbury cookie dough? ›

If you want to add some extra flavor to the base of your cookie dough, flavored extracts (like vanilla, almond, and peppermint) and aromatic spices are quick and easy ways to customize the taste.

What can I add to cookie dough to make it taste better? ›

You can upgrade your cookie dough by adding spices to it, said Tracy Wilk, lead chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. This can lead to a warm, spicy cookie. To do so, combine ground cinnamon, ginger, and sugar, and then roll your balls of cookie dough in the mix before baking.

How do you keep Pillsbury cookies from getting hard? ›

Storing Tips to Keep Cookies Soft

Store cool cookies in an airtight container (not a cookie jar with a loose lid) at room temperature. Putting cookies, cakes or breads in the refrigerator will dry them out.

How do you say will you be my Valentine in a cute way? ›

16 Creative Ways to ask Be My Valentine
IdeaDescription
Dedicate A SongDedicate a special song to associate with your love.
Truth or DarePlayful confession using truth or dare with friends.
Just Ask ThemDirectly ask with sincerity; focus on expressing feelings.
13 more rows
Jan 17, 2024

What is a cute Valentine's Day tradition? ›

Offering a bouquet of red roses to your beloved. Purchasing a card with a heartfelt message. Sharing a candlelit meal with your partner. Giving a heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates.

What are Valentine chocolates called? ›

Sweethearts Candy Hearts

In the early 1900's, the candy hearts evolved into the ones we know today. As they became popular among Valentine's Day gift-givers everywhere, NECCO decided to switch up some of the phrases to reflect the interests of a more modern crowd.

What happens if I use regular sugar instead of powdered sugar in cookies? ›

A. It is not recommended to substitute powdered sugar for granulated sugar. Since powdered sugar has a much finer texture, and it contains a small percentage of cornstarch to prevent caking, substituting can give you unexpected results.

What happens if I don't put baking soda in my cookies? ›

You technically can leave out baking soda in certain recipes (like chocolate chip cookies or pancakes) in a pinch, but you need to understand that your finished product will not be as light and fluffy as the recipe intended. Unless you have no other option, you really should use a leavening substitute.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in cookies? ›

Too much baking soda will result in a soapy taste with a coarse, open crumb.

What makes a good quality cookie? ›

The best cookies have layers of texture. A slightly crisp outer shell that holds up to some heat with an inner core that's soft and chewy. Premium cookies taste great at room temperature, straight out of the fridge or slightly heated. Creating cookies in small batches is key.

What is cookie secret? ›

Cookie Secret is the secret used to encrypt and sign session cookies. If you don't provide a cookie secret, Pomerium will generate one for you.

What is the secret to making soft cookies? ›

Baking cookies quickly in a hot oven – at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature – will make for soft results. They'll bake fast instead of sitting and drying out in the oven's hot air. Ever so slightly underbaking your cookies will give you softer results than cooking them the full amount the recipe says.

What does cornstarch do in cookies? ›

As Levy Beranbaum writes in The Baking Bible, replacing a little bit of the flour in the dough with cornstarch results in “a more delicate cookie that is also easier to pipe or push through a cookie press.” Adding cornstarch helps tenderize tough gluten, contributing to a softer cookie dough with a finer crumb after ...

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