These heart shaped cookies with EASY icing recipe uses toothpicks. You won't believe how simple it is to make beautiful designs with our step by step!
Click here to PIN these Heart Cookies and Icing Recipe!
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and you might be on the search for a treat to bring to work, school, church, the neighbors, etc. If you're looking to impress, this recipe for Sugar Cookie Hearts with an EASY Royal Icing Recipe is the choice for you!
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Would you believe me if I told you that these cookies are extremely easy to decorate? It only takes three colors of royal icing (red, white and pink) in three different squeeze bottles and a handful of toothpicks. An off-set spatula to spread the icing is also helpful.
I saw these cute hearts years ago originally on Karen's Cookie blog. She included a nice tutorial on how to make these cookies and to my delight they were so simple and turned out beautifully!
How to Make Marble Hearts with Royal Icing
To create the marble hearts, you simply flood the cookie with the royal icing and then quickly dot the background with another color. While it's still wet, run a toothpick through the dots and they magically become hearts! Below is a step-by-step and photo tutorial on how to create the marble hearts on the cookies.
- Flood heart cookies with royal icing.
- Quickly dot the background with another icing color.
- While icing is still wet, run a toothpick through the dots to make the hearts.
- Let set to harden.
How to create tie-dye with royal icing
- Flood heart cookies with royal icing.
- Use two different icing colors to draw lines over the flooded base color.
- While icing is still wet, run a toothpick through the lines either vertically, horizontally, or circular.
- Let set to harden.
Tips for decorating cookies with royal icing
Work with one or two cookies at a time. You want the icing to stay wet and not harden before you can finish decorating. This ensures the different colors will set into each other for flat results.
Store squeeze bottles upside down in glasses. It helps to keep the bottles tipped upside down in glasses so they are ready to go. Place a little splash of water in the bottom of each glass so the tips of the bottle don't dry out.
Reuse your toothpicks. Keep paper towels nearby to wipe your toothpick(s) after each use.
Check out Karen's Cookies. For more detailed instructions, visit Karen's Cookie blog.
You will need meringue powder to make royal icing. What is meringue powder and where can you find it? Meringue powder is egg white powder. It is found in most craft and baking stores, like Michael's and Joann Fabrics. I've even found it at Walmart. Or, you can quickly purchase it on Amazon here.
Click here to see how I used a miniature version of these sugar cookie hearts to top my favorite strawberry cupcakes for a Valentine's Day treat!
I am a fan of the royal icing recipe provided by Karen's Cookies AND her sugar cookie recipe we found years ago. You'll be very proud of yourself after making these cookies. And, you'll have a hard time eating them since they're so pretty!
Other Recipes Using Easy Royal Icing
- Monster Sugar Cookies
- Father's Day Sugar Cookies
- Mother's Day Sugar Cookies
- Welcome Home Sugar Cookies
- DIY Homemade Candy Dots
PIN this to save for later. Made this recipe? Leave a star rating and tag me on Instagram @seededtable so I can see. I love hearing from you!
This post for Heart Shaped Cookies and Easy Royal Icing was originally published on February 7, 2011 and updated on February 3rd, 2020 with new recipe tips then again January 2022 with optimized photos. The recipes were not changed during any of these updates.
Recipe Card
Heart Shaped Cookies with Royal Icing
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter , softened
- 1 cup superfine sugar (or granulated sugar processed in food processor for 30 seconds)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon almond extract , optional
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar and salt at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and beat until fully incorporated. Mix in the whole egg, vanilla and optional almond extract. Beat until full mixed. Add the flour, then beat at low speed just until combined. Be careful to not over-mix. Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap. Store in fridge until firm, at least one hour and up to 2 days.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. On a floured work surface, roll the dough to ¼-inch thick, sprinkling with additional flour as needed to prevent sticking. Use cookies cutters to cut into shapes and place on parchment or silicone-lined pans. Bake until cookies appear dry on the surface and are light golden brown on the edges, about 10 minutes (or a few more for larger cookies). Let sit for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets. Allow to cool completely on cooling racks before decorating.
- Decorate with our Easy Royal Icing recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Card
EASY Royal Icing Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1 lb powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons water , more or less as needed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract , optional
Instructions
- Beat all ingredients together until stiff peaks form (about 10 minutes).
- Pour into squeeze bottles and decorate cookies.
Notes
- Source: Karen’s Cookies
- Nutritional information is an estimate only, based on 12 servings.
Nutrition
Michaela says
Hello! These just look beautiful! I’ve been wondering how could I change the meringue powder because we don’t have it in Bulgaria, any suggestions? 🙂
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Michaela,
I'm sorry I do not have any suggestions, but hoping another reader might and can comment! 🙂
Stephanie says
Hi! Do you think I can make these cookies and freeze them for two weeks before thawing and frosting?
Nikki Gladd says
I think that should be fine! 🙂
Cindy says
LOVE THESE!!! I'm putting together a Foodie Friday Roundup this week for Valentine's Cookies. Could I include a pic and your post link?
Cristy says
Nikki these look so yummy. I have included them in my roundup of 20 Yummy Heart Shaped Treats.
Sarah says
What's the difference between one egg and one egg yolk?
Nikki Gladd says
Separate the yolk from the egg white and only use the yolk.
natalie says
these are so cute! im nervous to attempt these because i tried sugar cookies before and the icing was to runny. What do i do if that happens again?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Natalie,
You can thicken the icing with more powdered sugar. 🙂
Jennifer Vang says
Hello, I wanted to make these for a baby shower, but I didn't know how much more I should double the quantity. How many serviings does this recipe make?
I'm assuming 36 cookies?
I'm looking to make roughly 100-150. Thanks!
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Jennifer,
That's a hard question to answer because it totally depends on the size of your cookie cutters and how thin/thick you decide to roll the dough. I would probably double it first, to see how much it makes for you, then double again, etc.
Mickey Nash says
Found your darling cookies by typing in Valentines Cookies... these are gorgeous and look so professional! Can't wait to bake them and bag them in threes in a clear gusseted bag for teachers gifts 🙂
Kirsten Murray says
Hi Nikki,
Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe & tutorial! I made these for a milk & cookies open house event this past week and they were a huge hit.
Have a lovely week,
Kirsten
Nikki says
So glad the tutorial helped you, Kirsten! Thanks for the feedback! 🙂
Tiffany says
Hi!! I will be using this recipe for my sons birthday party this weekend. Did you use salter or unsalted butter? Does it matter?
Nikki says
When baking, I always use unsalted butter unless the recipe specifically calls for salted. 🙂 Have a great party!
vivian says
Got them in the oven hope they turn out good 🙂
conniesua says
Hi:
I made your cookies recipe, and I want to say yoy, !! its fantastic !! I need to work in the decorating, but all it´s delicious.
Palomita says
Made these for my husband for V-day 🙂 They came out pretty good. Normally I never cream stuff first, just throw it in at the same time. This time I followed directions verbatim 🙂 Adding this recipe to the file!
Mary J. says
How did you get the colors on your site for the sugar cookie hearts? They are so rich and deep in color especially the "red". I am going to attempt to make these for a church function in February. Any advice would be appreciated as I am a rookie crafter/creator Mj 🙂
Nikki says
Hi Mary, Since I don't make sugar cookies extremely often, I don't really have a specific formula for colors and just experiment every time. I'd recommend a couple of other blogs that specialize in sugar cookies, like Sugarbelle and [email protected]. 🙂
Gisell says
love your blog im just star making then for self
Amy says
I am making these cookies today for my son's party at school tomorrow. So far it's been pretty easy but some of my cookies bubbled up a little during baking. They will be fine for three year olds but how can I prevent this in the future?
new baker!
Pennies on a Platter says
Hi Amy,
It's hard to tell, but maybe you are over mixing the dough? When you add the flour, you want to mix until it is JUST combined. I also heard before that if you reuse parchment paper, this can also cause bubbling, but I think on the bottom of the cookies. I have no idea if that's true, though. 🙂
-Nikki
Denise says
I made these with my 10 year old girls for their classes at school. They had so much fun with it, their 7 and 5 year old brothers joined in the fun! They're not as professional looking, but they're still beautiful. The best part is, everyone, including mom, had fun with the icing. I got it a little thin, so it ran a little bit, but adding more powdered sugar helped. Also, I was able to find everything I needed except the super fine sugar at Wal-Mart. The one near me has the cake decorating materials near the greeting cards, not in the baking aisle, FYI! Thanks for sharing a fun idea!
Pennies on a Platter says
Denise - What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing! (And, very weird how the cake decorating materials are near the greeting cards rather than the baking aisle. ha! I'll have to remember that!)
-Nikki
Cora says
This is my first time making royal icing and I couldn't find merengue powder. I asked the clerk at the grocery store and they told me to get cream of tartar. Is that right? Or where else could I possibly look for merengue powder? Thanks 🙂
Pennies on a Platter says
No, do not use cream of tartar. You can find meringue powder at baking supply stores or craft stores that have a baking area such as Michael's, Joann Fabrics, and possibly Hobby Lobby. I'm sure you can also order it on Amazon.
Nikki
Beth Ann says
I wondered how you did those beautiful patterns on the cookies! Thanks for sharing all the info!!! Love them! Beth Ann
Vicki says
These are beautiful, Nik. Can't wait to try them!
Rachel says
These cookies are beautiful and look as if you spent HOURS decorating! I love that you demonstrated your techniques!
Bridget says
That's perfect! I've been trying to figure out how to bring super frilly royal icing decorated sugar cookies to the office potluck on Monday after being out of town all weekend. This is the answer because I don't have to wait until the icing dries before adding detail like I would for most royal icing decorations!
Sarah says
These are adorable! This time of year really brings out some of the cutest dessert recipes. We had another blogger friend who shared her Text Message cookies with us recently. So fun! You can see that cute recipe here:
https://blog.recipelion.com/guest-post-valentines-day-brings-sweet-text-messages/
Thanks as always for the great recipes.
Sarah
Editor
https://www.recipelion.com
Amy's Cooking Adventures says
So cute! I've been nervous about using royal icing in the past, but this one has me convinced--off to get squeeze bottle I go!
tryityoumightlikeit says
I did my first cookies with the flood technique yesterday and it worked out great. I love your designs!
Marissa says
These are so cute!!! I can't wait to try them! 🙂 I love decorating sugar cookies, but it takes me such a long time that I can't do it too often! haha
-Marissa
https://noraisinsonmyparade.com
Sara says
Gorgeous! I love the swirls. I want to make cute cookies like these! 🙂
Marg Sandiford says
These hearts are great! I used this technique on leaf shaped cookies in fall colours and they turned out really well
Shawnda says
Such a great job! I absolutely love the trail of hearts and the swirly valentine vortex 🙂
Becky says
These are so beautiful! Do you outline and flood the cookie with the royal icing at the same consistancy or do you thin it to flood? What kind of food coloring do you use? I've never used royal icing before, and these seem like great cookies to start with! Have a happy Monday!
Pennies on a Platter says
Hi Becky,
For these, I use the same consistency of icing to both outline and flood the cookies. Just make a thin layer for the base to avoid overflow when adding the dots for the hearts. Here is a link to the icing colors I use.
-Nikki
Happy When Not Hungry says
These cookies look so beautiful! I definitely am going to try some of Karen's techniques since they look fairly easy. Thanks for sharing!
Josie says
Gorgeous, Nikki!! So so pretty!
Rachel says
These are GORGEOUS and I love the picture tutorial. It will help those of us who aren't so adept with the royal icing. 🙂
keeley says
I love your cookies! so cute! Where did you get the bottles that you used to decorate? That's a really good idea for royal icing!
Pennies on a Platter says
Hi Keeley,
Within the post, I provided an Amazon link to the squeeze bottles, however, you can get them at Michael's or Joann Fabrics, as well. (Or, any craft store where you can find Wilton baking items.)
-Nikki
Anonymous says
walmart has them to