These Valentine Crinkle Cookies are the perfect treat to celebrate love and sweetness! With their soft, buttery texture and a delightful chocolate heart candy pressed in the center, they’re both delicious and adorable. Perfect for Valentine’s Day parties, gifts, or simply enjoying with your loved ones, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat.
The sugary coating gives them a beautiful crinkled appearance, while the chocolate heart candies add a festive and romantic touch. Whether you're baking with kids or whipping these up for a special someone, these cookies will make the day even sweeter.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and quick: Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Festive and fun: Perfect for Valentine’s Day with their cute chocolate heart topping.
- Buttery and soft: Each bite is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Customizable: Use different candies or add sprinkles for a personalized touch.
- Great for gifting: Pack them in cute bags or tins for a heartfelt homemade present.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 24 chocolate heart candies (such as Hershey’s Kisses or similar)
Directions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Cream the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat evenly.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Add the Chocolate Hearts:
- Immediately press a chocolate heart candy into the center of each cookie while they’re still warm. The warmth of the cookie will slightly soften the chocolate, helping it adhere.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these cookies with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea for a cozy Valentine’s Day treat.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezing Option: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
Helpful Notes
- Prevent Melting: Let the cookies cool slightly before adding the chocolate hearts if you’re worried about them melting too much.
- Candy Variations: Swap the chocolate hearts with regular Hershey’s Kisses, Dove chocolates, or even chocolate truffles for a personalized touch.
- Colorful Twist: Roll the dough balls in colored sugar or sprinkles for extra festive flair.
- Even Baking: Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for the most consistent results.
- Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect cookie texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce the added salt to ⅛ teaspoon to balance the flavors. - What if I don’t have chocolate heart candies?
You can use any small chocolate candy, such as Hershey’s Kisses or mini peanut butter cups. - Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dough, roll it into balls, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Roll in sugar just before baking. - Do I need to chill the dough?
For this recipe, chilling is not necessary, but if your kitchen is warm and the dough feels too soft, a quick chill in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes can help. - How do I get the crinkle effect?
Rolling the dough in sugar creates a crackled, crinkle-like texture as the cookies bake and spread.
Final Thoughts
These Valentine Crinkle Cookies are a sweet way to celebrate love and friendship. Their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with the festive chocolate heart topping makes them an irresistible treat for any Valentine’s celebration.
I love how customizable these cookies are—you can swap out the candy, add sprinkles, or even flavor the dough with almond or lemon extract for a unique twist. Whether you’re baking them for a loved one, a party, or yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and sweetness.
So grab your ingredients, bake up some love, and enjoy these adorable, festive cookies. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar for rolling
- 24 chocolate heart candies such as Hershey’s Kisses or similar
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Cream the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
Combine the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Shape the Cookies:
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat evenly.
Bake the Cookies:
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Add the Chocolate Hearts:
- Immediately press a chocolate heart candy into the center of each cookie while they’re still warm. The warmth of the cookie will slightly soften the chocolate, helping it adhere.
Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Prevent Melting: Let the cookies cool slightly before adding the chocolate hearts if you’re worried about them melting too much.
- Candy Variations: Swap the chocolate hearts with regular Hershey’s Kisses, Dove chocolates, or even chocolate truffles for a personalized touch.
- Colorful Twist: Roll the dough balls in colored sugar or sprinkles for extra festive flair.
- Even Baking: Bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for the most consistent results.
- Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect cookie texture.
