Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies (2024)

February 11, 2016

Total Time: 48 minutes

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These buttery Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They're tried and true and a perfect project for kids.

A plate of these Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies would be a wonderful and delicious way to send your love to family, friends, neighbors, teachers, hairdressers - anyone on your Valentine's list!

We're actually sending Valentine greetings from London, where we're spending time with our daughter and her family. It's only been a little over 48 hours since we arrived, but I feel like we've already packed in a week's worth of fun and activity.

We've loved being together with the family - not doing anything out of the ordinary, just living everyday life which, by the way, includes a LOT of walking. Walking the childrento school, picking them up, walking to the grocery store, walking to restaurants, taking long walks along the Thames River, walking to the Tube (underground) station. Walking, walking, walking...

But we never tire of being pedestrians here in London, as there are always so many interesting sights along the way, as well as the ever-present excitement and hubbub of alargecity like this. We're actually planninga whole post coming up called Who Wants to Visit London in February? but today I just had to share theseeasy, fun and delicious Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies.

The base recipe for these Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies is an old favorite of mine from LandO'Lakes. It couldn't be simpler, with just five ingredients blended together, then rolled in small balls. In the original recipe, the dough is rolled in balls, the centers are filled with jam and the cookies are baked to create Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies.

This time, after making small balls of dough, I rolled them in red, pink and white sprinkles. And after they were baked, while still hot, I tucked a Hershey's kiss in the center. As you can see, these festive, pretty-as-a-picture cookies are created with minimal work. Because it's such an easy recipe, this is a greattreatto make with kids. In fact, I brought everything along with me to London so we could make these cookies together as aValentine sweet treat.

I know my little herd here in London will bethrilled when I pull out the sprinkles and Hershey's Hugs. Don't tell them yet though, I want it to be a surprise!

Well, I'm going to ~~run~~walk and pick up my girls from school. I hope you surprise your Valentine(s) with a batch of these whimsical, fun and delicious Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies. They're a wonderful way to say "I love you", "I like you", "I care about you", "I'm glad you're my friend", "Thanks!" or whatever your Valentine wishes might be!

5 from 5 votes

Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies

These buttery cookies are melt-in-your-mouth-delicious. They're also easy and a fun activity for kids.

Author: Chris Scheuer

Course:Dessert/Cookies

Keyword:Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 18 mins

Total Time: 48 mins

Servings: 48 cookies

Calories: 96 kcal

Ingredients

1cupsalted buttersoftened
⅔cupsugar
½teaspoonvanilla extract
2cupsall-purpose flour
½cupredpink and white nonpareil (sprinkles)
1 10-ouncebag Hershey's Hugs

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F. Pour sprinkles into a shallow bowl. Unwrap Hershey's Hugs and set aside.
Combine butter, sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract in a mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.
Add flour; beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
Shape dough into small 1-inch balls (I use a small ice cream scoop).
Roll balls of dough in sprinkles, patting sprinkles gently onto any areas where sprinkles have not adhered. You want to have the little balls pretty much completely covered with sprinkles.
Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.Bake 14-18 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
Remove from oven and let cool for a minute or two then quickly place a Hershey's Hug in the center of each cookie, barely pressing down (about ¼ inch or less!) into the cookie. Don't be tempted to press the kiss too deeply into the cookies as they will crack at the edges. If you do have any cracking, gently push the crack back together while the cookies are still warm. To keep the kisses from melting, transfer cookies to a plate or small cutting board and refrigerate for 20 minutes. If you don't refrigerate them, the kisses will take quite a while to firm up. Be careful when you move them so the kisses don't collapse or distort in shape from the movement.

Recipe Notes

Adapted from Land O'Lakes

Calories 96kcal

Fat 5g

Saturated fat 3g

Cholesterol 11mg

Sodium 39mg

Potassium 9mg

Carbohydrates 10g

Sugar 6g

Protein 1g

Vitamin A 120%

Calcium 14%

Iron 0.3%

« Moist Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Icing

Reader Interactions

Comments

Susan Hojdik says
February 03, 2024 at 3:10 pm

Please may I have the PDF for the labels for these cookies? Thank You:)
Reply
- Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
  February 05, 2024 at 9:37 am
  
  Hi Susan, we do not have labels for this recipe at this time.
  Reply
Kim says
February 06, 2023 at 2:56 am

Mine turned out so dry and crumbled when I took them off of the pan. So cute but didn’t taste anywhere near as good as they looked.
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 06, 2023 at 6:37 am
  
  Hmm, I haven't had anyone else complain of dry, crumbly cookies. Did you use two sticks of butter?
  Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 10, 2023 at 5:02 pm
  
  So sorry these did not turn out well for you, Kim. It's difficult to say what went wrong without having been right there in the kitchen with you.
  Reply
Joanie says
February 11, 2021 at 11:42 am

Not sure what I did wrong but my cookies came out flat instead of beautiful shaped cookies like your photos. I did sift the flour which may have been the problem? I also switched to colored sugar when my husband asked if they were made with BBs ha ha.
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 11, 2021 at 2:08 pm
  
  Hi Joanie, I'm sorry your cookies came out flat. It's hard to say what went wrong without having been right there in the kitchen with you. That being said, sometimes certain brands of butter have a higher moisture content which can cause the cookies to spread more.
  Reply
Sandy says
January 26, 2018 at 4:25 pm

On the right sidebar it says “prep time:9 hours, 14 minutes” & “cook time: 9hours, 14 minutes.”
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  January 27, 2018 at 1:00 am
  
  Thanks, Sandy, we switched to a new recipe plugin a few months ago and it messed up all the recipe times. We've been slowing going backward and correcting them but it's taking a while to go through over 1000 recipes. This now is now amended 🙂
  Reply
Donna Howard says
February 14, 2016 at 10:31 am

So easy to make - and delish!! I always have trouble with my 'kisses' melting!! And I did this time, too. What's the secret?? Pinning!!
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 15, 2016 at 2:07 am
  
  Thanks Donna! Let the cookies cool for a minute or two, pop the kiss on and stick the cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. That should do it!
  Reply
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
February 14, 2016 at 5:58 am

Chris they are just beautiful! I can't wait to see some photos of the family.
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 15, 2016 at 2:08 am
  
  Thanks Claire! We'll get some up, probably later this week! Lots of fun family times right now!
  Reply
Debra Eliotseats says
February 13, 2016 at 9:47 am

I love those little hug Kisses. Beautiful idea and once again fantastic photos, Chris.
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  See Also
  Make These Sweet Jam Heart Thumbprint Cookies With Kids This Valentine's Day
  February 21, 2016 at 3:57 pm
  
  Thanks so much Debra!
  Reply
Muna Kenny says
February 13, 2016 at 8:29 am

AHA! I remember how you teased us with a pic of this beauty on Instagram 🙂 ... I've been waiting for it since. It's so beautiful Chris, perfect for V day!
Reply
Adri says
February 12, 2016 at 5:21 pm

Have a terrific Valentine's Day and a wonderful visit. These cookies are absolutely wonderful!
Reply
Sandra says
February 12, 2016 at 4:20 pm

Perfect little nuggets for sharing! Thank you and Happy Valentine's Day!
Reply
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
February 12, 2016 at 12:57 pm

Well I believe you are going to please some little ones come Valentine's Day. Enjoy your visit with your family, I know they are happy to have you visiting.
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 6:20 am
  
  Thanks Karen! It's always a pleasure for us to travel to see them anywhere!
  Reply
Karen C says
February 12, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Beautiful cookies, so well done. Don't forget to take pictures of those grandkids, love seeing the pictures of them!
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 6:19 am
  
  We will Karen! Scott's been snapping away since we arrived yesterday in the French Alps!
  Reply
Kate says
February 12, 2016 at 11:38 am

Those are absolutely adorable, Chris! I must make a batch to share.... I know I couldn't eat just one.
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 6:17 am
  
  So true Kate!
  Reply
Beverley says
February 12, 2016 at 5:04 am

welcome back to England and Happy Valentine's Day to you both too! You have been very lucky with the weather and yes the best way to see any city is by foot. If you ever venture up to Nottingham let me know and I will take you sightseeing here in the Home of Robin Hood xoxo ooops lovely recipe
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:40 am
  
  That sounds so exciting Beverley! We'll have to take you up on that!
  Reply
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
February 11, 2016 at 11:45 pm

What a gorgeous little treat that is sure to warm anyone's heart. But I bet those beautiful girls will adore them!
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:38 am
  
  Thanks Abbe!
  Reply
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
February 11, 2016 at 9:17 pm

These are so lovely Chris - I could just pop a few in my mouth and be set! I bet your granddaughters love these 🙂
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:38 am
  
  They are just about to make them here in the French Alps - with snow all around Tricia!
  Reply
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
February 11, 2016 at 7:43 pm

Beautiful Chris and would be so fun to do with kids (can't beat sprinkles and kisses 🙂 Glad you're having a great trip. I think London is perfect in any month!
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:37 am
  
  Despite the cold and gray, we've also had some bright, sunny blue days too. And everywhere we go we see tiny hints of spring! It's just around the corner!
  Reply
Paula Graff says
February 11, 2016 at 4:27 pm

Hi Chris and Scott,
These look really good! (The pics and the recipe;) Can't wait to try them and see if gluten free flour will work as well. Have you ever tried that? I may use almond flour.
Enjoy London and your family time. Hope to see you when you return home.
Paula
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:35 am
  
  Thanks Paula! I've never done them with gluten free, but it's definitely worth a try!
  Reply
cheri says
February 11, 2016 at 4:04 pm

Hi Chris, I love spending time doing the everyday things with my grandkids too, you really get to experience what they do on a daily basis. You and your gang are going to have so much fun in the kitchen, these thumbprints are beautiful.
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:34 am
  
  So true Cheri! Scott and I always have a blast with them in the kitchen, and they seem to really appreciate the one-on- one time!
  Reply
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
February 11, 2016 at 3:12 pm

I've always had a soft spot for thumb prints --- sharing!
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:32 am
  
  Thanks Sue! Happy V-Day!
  Reply
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
February 11, 2016 at 2:28 pm

They are so pretty!
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day, Chris!
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 13, 2016 at 5:32 am
  
  Thanks Angie! You too!
  Reply
Dawn Clarke says
February 11, 2016 at 1:29 pm

Chris, you always make the most beautiful food - simple, or otherwise!
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 15, 2016 at 2:15 am
  
  That's so sweet Dawn, thank you!
  Reply
Debra says
February 11, 2016 at 11:08 am

Stop! Stop! I'm going to die! No really, those are very pretty and professional looking
Reply
- Chris Scheuer says
  February 15, 2016 at 2:16 am
  
  You crack me up Debra! Thanks so much for your encouraging comments!
  Reply

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Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies (2024)

These buttery Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They're tried and true and a perfect project for kids.

Reader Interactions

Comments

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References