Marbled Valentine Sugar Cookies Recipe
These Marbled Valentine Sugar Cookies combine classic buttery sweetness with a festive swirl of pink, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Soft, tender, and beautifully marbled with gel food coloring, these cookies are easy to make and fun to decorate.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Gel food coloring (dark pink)
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a creamy base for the dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly, followed by the salt and baking powder. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture, increasing the mixing speed as needed. Continue mixing until the dough is fully combined and no flour streaks remain.
- Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough in half, transferring one half to a separate bowl. Add a small amount of dark pink gel food coloring to the remaining dough and beat until fully tinted with no streaks.
- Create Marbled Dough: Pinch off golf ball-sized portions from each dough and alternate the colored and plain dough balls on your work surface. Gently knead them together just until swirls of pink appear; avoid overmixing to maintain the marbled effect.
- Chill Dough: Shape the marbled dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes to firm up for easier rolling.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Roll and Cut Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your desired cookie cutters to cut shapes, placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze the cookies for 15 minutes to prevent spreading during baking. Gather leftover dough scraps, rewrap, and keep chilled for later use.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven at 350°F for 12 minutes. Once done, allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to one week, maintaining freshness and flavor.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 2 dozen cookies, depending on the size and thickness of the cookie cutters used.
- Using gel food coloring helps achieve vibrant colors without altering the dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough ensures easier handling and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- Leftover dough scraps can be rerolled and cut again, but avoid overworking to preserve the marbled pattern.
Keywords: Sugar Cookies, Valentine Cookies, Marbled Cookies, Valentine’s Day, Festive Cookies, Baked Cookies, Sweet Treats