Strawberry Kiss Valentine Cookies are sweet, soft treats that melt in your mouth with every bite. These cookies feature a tender strawberry-flavored dough topped with a shiny, red candy kiss in the center, making them as cute and festive as they are tasty. They’re perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day or anytime you want to share some love with a homemade touch.
I love making these cookies because they’re simple but feel special. The strawberry flavor adds a nice fruity twist, and I think the little candy kisses on top make them look so cheerful and inviting. Plus, baking them with family or friends is a fun way to create sweet memories and enjoy some laughs in the kitchen.
My favorite way to enjoy these cookies is fresh out of the oven with a glass of milk or a warm cup of tea. They’re also great wrapped up as a thoughtful gift for neighbors, teachers, or anyone you want to brighten the day of. These cookies always bring a smile and remind me that sometimes the sweetest things in life are the simplest.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Butter gives these cookies their soft, rich texture. Use salted butter if that’s what you have; just skip the extra salt in the recipe.
Flour & Leavening: All-purpose flour and baking powder help the cookies hold their shape but stay tender. For gluten-free, try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
Food Coloring: Red or pink drops create that lovely Valentine look. If you prefer natural options, beet juice or freeze-dried strawberry powder can add color and mild flavor.
Strawberry Extract (optional): This boosts the fruity flavor in the frosting. If you can’t find it, vanilla extract works fine or add a bit of strawberry jam into your frosting instead.
Milk or Heavy Cream: Milk or cream makes the frosting smooth and creamy. Use any dairy or a plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
How Do You Make the Two-Tone Cookie Dough Look Perfect?
The cookies have a cute layered look, with pink on top of plain dough. To get this right, follow these tips:
- Use equal-sized pieces of dough for each layer—make the bottom layer slightly bigger so the pink piece fits nicely on top.
- Gently press the pink dough down but don’t squish the two layers together. You want them to stick but keep their shape.
- Chilling the dough briefly before baking can help the layers hold better and prevent spreading too much.
- Leave enough space between cookies as they bake to avoid merging edges.
Taking your time with each cookie will help keep the pretty two-tone look that makes them extra special.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – for mixing dough and frosting separately with ease.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk – makes creaming butter and sugar smooth and quick.
- Baking sheets – flat and sturdy for even baking of your cookies.
- Parchment paper – helps prevent cookies from sticking and makes clean-up simple.
- Spatula – great for scraping down bowl sides and folding ingredients together.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accuracy and consistent cookie results.
- Wire cooling rack – lets cookies cool evenly without getting soggy underneath.
- Small cookie scoop or spoon – to make uniform dough portions for consistent cookie size.
- Frosting bag or plastic bag with a cut corner – perfect for piping the frosting swirl onto each cookie.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap strawberry extract for almond or vanilla extract to give a different but tasty twist.
- Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolate-strawberry combo that’s always a hit.
- Mix freeze-dried strawberry powder into the dough for extra strawberry flavor and a natural pink hue.
- Top cookies with white chocolate kisses or heart-shaped candies instead of frosting for a simpler decoration.
Strawberry Kiss Valentine Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup milk
- 10-12 drops red or pink food coloring
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- ½ tsp strawberry extract (optional)
- Red or pink sprinkles for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
The prep and baking take about 30 minutes total. You’ll spend around 15-20 minutes mixing the dough, shaping cookies, and baking them. Allow an extra 10 minutes for cooling and frosting the cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar with a mixer or by hand until it’s fluffy and smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is nicely mixed.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually add this mix to your wet ingredients in parts, alternating with milk and starting and ending with the flour mixture. Stir gently until just combined so you don’t overwork the dough.
3. Add Color and Shape Cookies
Divide your dough into two parts. Add the red or pink food coloring to one portion and knead gently until evenly colored. Leave the other portion plain or lightly yellow if you like. Take a slightly larger piece of the plain dough and flatten it, then place a smaller piece of pink dough on top and gently press them together to form two-tone cookies.
4. Bake and Cool
Arrange your cookies on the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just turning golden, but the centers remain soft. Cool the cookies completely on a wire rack before decorating.
5. Make Frosting and Decorate
Mix powdered sugar with cream or milk and strawberry extract until smooth and thick enough to hold its shape. You can adjust the cream quantity if the frosting is too thick or thin. Spoon or pipe a pretty swirl of frosting onto each cooled cookie, then sprinkle with festive red and pink sprinkles for a lovely Valentine’s touch.
6. Set and Serve
Let the frosting set for a little while before serving, packing, or gifting your delicious strawberry kiss Valentine cookies. Enjoy sharing sweet smiles with every bite!
Can I Use Frozen Butter for This Recipe?
It’s best to use softened butter for creaming, but if you only have frozen butter, thaw it fully in the fridge overnight and let it sit at room temperature until soft before using.
How Should I Store These Cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them to keep the frosting fresher for up to a week.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare and color the dough in advance, then wrap and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Let it soften slightly before shaping and baking.
What Can I Use Instead of Strawberry Extract?
If you don’t have strawberry extract, vanilla extract works well or you can mix in a spoonful of strawberry jam to the frosting for a similar fruity flavor.
