Preheat Oven:Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Make Dough:In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms. If desired, add food coloring to achieve your preferred color.
Roll and Cut:Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
Bake:Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
Decorate (Optional):Once the cookies have cooled, decorate with royal icing or sprinkles if desired.
Serve:Enjoy your festive Valentine’s Day cookies!
Notes
Make Ahead: Dough can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Roll and bake when ready to serve. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough for up to 2 months.
Customizing the Flavor: Add food coloring to the dough for a fun pink or red hue. You can also incorporate chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or other festive ingredients for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions: Serve the cookies as-is or decorate them with royal icing, sprinkles, or heart-shaped candies for an extra special touch on Valentine’s Day.
Storage Tips: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months.
Keyword decorated cookies, festive cookies, heart-shaped cookies, sugar cookies, Valentine’s Day cookies