Celebrate love with these easy Valentine’s Day iced shortbread cookies! Simple ingredients, fun decorations, and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
If you’re like me and want to add a pop of red or pink to your table, I’ve got a few fun ideas for you. You could make chocolate berry pancakes—they’re always a hit in my house. Or try a pretty no-bake berry crêpe cake with filling if you’re after something a bit more delicate. And if you’re in the mood for a proper cake, the Morello cherry sponge is one of my favourites. It’s fruity, soft, and so easy to love.
When it comes to Valentine’s Day dinner, I like to start with something warm and inviting. Baked gorgonzola pears are quick and a little bit fancy without the fuss. If you’d rather go for something heartier, a bowl of roasted vegetable soup or high-protein vegan lentil soup recipe, served with crusty homemade bread like bakery, is just perfect—especially if you're keeping things cosy.
For the main course, I like to go a bit special with oven-roasted duck and butternut squash puree. It feels like a treat but isn’t tricky to make. If you want something lighter, try the healthy high-protein couscous salmon salad. It’s fresh, simple, and a lovely way to finish off the meal without feeling too full.
💗 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.
🥧 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- 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.
♻️ 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 Colouring: 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.
- Flavoured Icing: Add a drop of vanilla extract to the icing for a sweet twist.
👩🍳 How To Make 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!
Prepare the icing by mixing icing sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth.
Add food colouring and mix until you reach your desired shade.
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 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!
❓ FAQs
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.
Make sure the icing is thick enough before spreading it on the cookies. If it seems too runny, add a bit more icing sugar.
You can make your own icing sugar by blending granulated sugar until it’s a fine powder.
If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Will Love These Too
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Valentine’s Day Iced Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- Heart-shaped shortbread cookies store-bought(8-10 cookies), *Check out the full recipe in the post!
- Food coloring various colors
- Sprinkles any type
For the Icing:
- 1 cup icing sugar 4 oz
- 1 tablespoon milk 0.5 oz
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice 0.17 oz
Instructions
- Prepare the Icing: Start by mixing the icing sugar, milk, and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir the mixture until it’s well combined and smooth.1 cup icing sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Add Color: Next, add your favorite food coloring to the icing. Mix thoroughly until you achieve the desired shade. This is where you can get creative!Food coloring
- Ice the Cookies: Take each heart-shaped shortbread cookie and generously spread the colored icing over the top. Use a knife or spatula for an even application.Heart-shaped shortbread cookies
- Decorate: While the icing is still wet, sprinkle your choice of decorative elements, such as sprinkles, on top of the cookies. This adds a festive touch.Sprinkles
- Allow to Set: Let the cookies sit at room temperature until the icing fully sets. This can take a couple of hours, so be patient!
- Serve and Share: Once the icing has set, your Valentine’s Day iced shortbread cookies are ready to be served. Share them with your loved ones or enjoy them yourself!
Ashley says
These are so cute! Perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or any time of year!
Nora says
These Valentine’s Day Iced Shortbread Cookies are absolutely adorable and so much fun to make! I love how simple the base is, and decorating them with colorful icing and heart sprinkles made them feel extra festive. Such a sweet way to celebrate with loved ones—I'll definitely be making a batch every February!
Nicole Kendrick says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Paula says
These shortbread cookies were absolute perfection! The icing turned out great too, and they looked gorgeous.
Genevieve says
Shortbread cookies are so good and I love that these are iced with perfect Valentine's Day colors! These look delicious!
Swathi says
Valentine's day iced shortbread cookies are delicious. I have tried it, my kids approved it.
Oscar says
These Valentine’s Day iced shortbread cookies were a hit! The fun decorations and simple recipe made baking them a joy, and they’re perfect for sharing with all my favorite people!