Name: Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe
Prep time: 5 h 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 3 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 14 tablespoons unsalted European butter (like Kerrygold), cool room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 large egg yolk, room temperature; 2 tablespoons heavy cream, room temperature; 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste; Red gel food coloring; 1/2-1 cup Pink and white jimmy sprinkles

If you’re searching for a sweet, charming treat to share this Valentine’s Day, I’ve got just the thing — a delightful Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. These slice-and-bake beauties combine buttery goodness with festive colors and sprinkles for that perfect celebration vibe.

The image shows several round cookies arranged on a metal cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has one layer with a light tan color forming the base and a smooth texture. In the center of each cookie, there is a bright red heart shape layer that stands out clearly. Around the edge of every cookie, there is a border made of small, round, pink and white sprinkles, adding a speckled texture and color contrast to the smooth cookie surface. The lighting is soft, showing a warm and inviting baked look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve been making these heart-shaped cookies for years now, and honestly, they never fail to bring a smile — not just because they’re adorable, but because they taste incredible. Plus, they’re super satisfying to assemble and decorate with those sprinkle-studded edges.

Pretty and Festive: The red and pink doughs layered with sprinkles make these cookies look like little edible valentines.
Slice-and-Bake Convenience: You can prep your dough ahead, chill it, then slice fresh cookies whenever you want.
Buttery, Tender Texture: Thanks to the European butter and the cream, these cookies have a rich, tender crumb.
Fun for All Ages: Kids love helping with the cookie cutting, stacking, and decorating—perfect for family baking time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive into baking, let’s chat about what goes into these Valentine’s Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles. I always pick quality European butter for that rich flavor and use vanilla bean paste instead of extract for those gorgeous vanilla speckles and aroma.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with fine sea salt and baking powder mixed, a few large whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a handful of pale yellow unsalted European butter sticks at cool room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a tiny white ceramic bowl holding heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl containing vanilla bean paste, a small white ceramic bowl with vivid red gel food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl overflowing with pink and white jimmy sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure and tenderness in these cookies.
Baking powder: A gentle lift to keep cookies from getting too dense.
Fine sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Unsalted European butter (like Kerrygold): Gives richness and a smoother texture, plus I love that it’s creamier than regular butter.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
Large egg & egg yolk: Eggs provide structure and moisture; the extra yolk keeps these hearts luscious and tender.
Heavy cream: Adds moisture and richness for a melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Vanilla bean paste: Delivers deep vanilla flavor with beautiful flecks throughout the dough.
Red gel food coloring: For tinting the dough to pink or red without affecting texture.
Pink and white jimmy sprinkles: Adds festive color and fun crunch around the edges.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of the Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to switch up colors, enhance flavors, or accommodate dietary needs, these charming slice-and-bake cookies welcome creativity with open arms.

Color Variations: Personally, I love experimenting with the intensity of the red gel food coloring. Sometimes I go for a soft pink blush by adding just a tiny amount, giving the cookies a delicate, subtle look perfect for a romantic Valentine’s morning. Other times, a deep red works well for a bold, statement cookie box to gift friends and family.
Flavor Twists: Adding a teaspoon of almond extract alongside the vanilla bean paste adds a lovely, nutty warmth to the dough. I tried it once last year, and it made the cookies feel even more special and festive.
Sprinkle Swap: While pink and white jimmies are the classic choice here, I sometimes mix in red sanding sugar or heart-shaped sprinkles to boost texture and sparkle. It makes slicing the log all the more fun. Plus, kids adore the extra shimmer!
Dairy-Free Variation: Substitute the butter with plant-based margarine and swap out the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk. I’ve done this variation successfully, and the cookies still hold their shape beautifully with a subtly different richness.
Thinner & Crispier Cookies: If you prefer crispier bites, slice your cookie rounds about ¼-inch thick instead of the recommended ½-inch. They bake up quicker and deliver a satisfying crunch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe

The image shows several round cookies with a light tan base layer and a bright red heart shape in the center of each. The edges of the cookies are decorated with small pink and white sprinkles, creating a textured border. One cookie in the middle is broken in half, showing the soft, crumbly texture inside with the red heart layer clearly visible through the middle. The cookies lie on a metal cooling rack, and above them is a white bowl filled with the same pink and white sprinkles. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk Together Your Dry Ingredients

Start by combining 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt in a small bowl. Give them a good whisk to evenly distribute these dry elements. Setting this aside keeps things organized and ready for mixing later. Measuring your flour carefully using the spoon-level method or a kitchen scale here makes a big difference in the cookie texture.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Light and Fluffy

In a large mixing bowl, use a stand or hand mixer to cream together 14 tablespoons of cool room-temperature unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. This should take about 3 minutes. The mixture will turn pale and fluffy—this aeration is key to tender cookies. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of your bowl to ensure everything blends evenly.

Step 3: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients

Add in 1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix on medium speed until everything is fully combined, smooth, and slightly glossy. This rich blend creates that buttery base for the cookie dough.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients to Form Dough

Gradually mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Blend just until it comes together and forms a soft dough. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, which makes cookies tough, so stop as soon as it’s combined.

Step 5: Divide and Color the Dough

Divide the dough into two portions—leave about half (375-400 grams) in your mixing bowl. Add red gel food coloring to this portion, kneading or mixing gently until you reach your preferred pink or red hue. Don’t rush this step; build the color gradually to avoid going too dark.

Step 6: Chill and Roll the Colored Dough

On a sheet of parchment paper, roll the tinted dough between two sheets to about ½-inch thickness. This keeps the dough smooth and prevents sticking. Then, place it in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up, which makes cutting cleaner and stacking easier.

Step 7: Prepare the Plain Dough

Meanwhile, cover the remaining plain dough with plastic wrap and set it aside at room temperature or refrigerate if you'd like. This plain dough will later wrap around your fun heart log.

Step 8: Cut and Stack Heart Shapes

Use a 1 ½-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts from the chilled red dough. Reroll the scraps once for extra pieces—waste not! Lightly dab the center of each heart with water, then stack them gently, pressing to adhere. You want a single log approximately 9-10 inches long on parchment paper. Pop it into the freezer for at least 30 minutes to firm up solidly.

Step 9: Wrap the Heart Log with Plain Dough

Once firm, remove the heart log from the freezer. Wrap the plain dough carefully around it, filling any gaps to create a smooth outer shell. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and gently roll it to smooth the surface and lock in shape. Chill this log in the refrigerator at least 2-3 hours or overnight for best results.

Step 10: Preheat, Sprinkle, Slice, and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the chilled cookie dough log and roll it in ½ to 1 cup of pink and white jimmies sprinkles, coating the outside thoroughly. Slice the log into approximately ½-inch thick cookies and place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 9-12 minutes until the cookie bottoms are lightly golden and the tops have a matte finish. For crisper cookies, add a minute or two, but watch closely to avoid burning. The aroma of warm vanilla and buttery sweetness will fill your kitchen—a sign that love is baking!

Step 11: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to firm up perfectly and ensures they slice cleanly if you want to store them. Now you have adorable, tender Valentine’s heart cookies bursting with festive pinks, reds, and sprinkles, ready to share (or sneak a few yourself!).

Top Tip

Making these Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe can be a joyous experience, especially when you keep a few handy tips in mind to get that perfect texture and appearance every time.

Perfect Butter Temperature: I found that using European butter cooled to about 64-68°F really makes the dough easier to work with and gives the cookies that deliciously tender crumb.
Even Cutting: When slicing your cookie log, try to keep slices about ½ inch thick. Thinner slices result in crispier cookies, but thicker slices keep that soft buttery texture I love.
Chilling Is Key: Don’t skip the chilling steps. Freezing the tinted dough before cutting hearts and chilling the wrapped log for at least 2-3 hours ensures clean shapes and prevents spreading during baking.
Sprinkle Application: Rolling the dough log in sprinkles just before slicing helps the sprinkles stick evenly. A quick extra press on the sprinkles if they feel loose can make your cookies look extra festive.

How to Serve Valentine's Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a bright red dough mixture inside a clear glass bowl. The dough has a thick, slightly crumbly texture and is being mixed with a white metal paddle attachment of a mixer. The paddle is partially covered with the red dough, and the bowl's sides have some smears of the dough. The background is a white marbled surface, and a glass of water is partially visible in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These cookies already shine with their red and pink sprinkles, but you can elevate their presentation by serving them on a pretty platter adorned with fresh rose petals, tiny edible flowers, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

Side Dishes

Pairing your Valentine's Heart Cookies with a warm cup of rich vanilla chai tea or a frothy hot chocolate makes for a cozy, romantic treat. For a brunch or party spread, serve alongside fresh fruit, creamy mascarpone, or a platter of assorted cheeses to balance the sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your baked Valentine's Heart Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days if kept away from humidity and heat.

Freezing

If you'd like to prepare ahead, wrap the fully chilled cookie dough log tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze the log for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw in the refrigerator before slicing, rolling in sprinkles, and baking as usual.

Reheating

To enjoy these cookies warm, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving as the sprinkles might melt and lose their texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular butter instead of European butter?

Yes, you can use regular unsalted butter, but European butter has a slightly higher butterfat content which gives these cookies a richer flavor and better texture. If using regular butter, be sure it’s cool but not too soft for best results.

What if I don’t have red gel food coloring?

You can substitute with any red or pink food coloring gel you have. Gel colors are preferred because they impart vibrant color without adding extra liquid that can alter your dough consistency.

How can I avoid my cookies spreading too much during baking?

Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly, especially after assembling the log. Chilling firms up the butter in the dough, preventing excessive spreading and keeping the heart shapes crisp and defined.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can try a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. However, texture might vary slightly, so test a small batch first to adjust if needed.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Valentine’s Heart Cookies with Red and Pink Sprinkles Recipe is as much about the joy of crafting something special as it is about enjoying the delicious results. Whether you’re sharing them with a loved one, gifting them to friends, or just treating yourself, these cookies bring sweetness and warmth to any celebration. So take your time, savor the process, and most importantly—spread the love one heart cookie at a time!