There’s something so special about heart-shaped cookies, don’t you think? They’re the perfect way to show someone you care, and these Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Roses are an absolute stunner. With their soft, buttery texture and sweet, colorful buttercream roses, they’re not just a treat—they’re a work of art! Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just because you love a good, pretty cookie, these beauties are sure to make everyone smile. Trust me, you’ll fall in love with how they look and taste!
Why You’ll Love Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Roses
Let me tell you why these cookies are a total win:
Beautifully Decorated
With delicate, swirled buttercream roses on top, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. They make any occasion feel special and are perfect for gifting or serving at parties.
Buttery and Soft
The sugar cookies themselves are soft and buttery—everything you want in a classic sugar cookie. They’re crisp at the edges and melt in your mouth with every bite.
Customizable Colors and Flavors
You can play around with the colors of the buttercream to match any theme, and you can even add a splash of flavor to the icing! Want a little twist? Try adding lemon or almond extract to the buttercream for a fun new flavor.
Perfect for Special Occasions
These cookies are an absolute showstopper for Valentine’s Day, weddings, anniversaries, or any time you want to spread a little love.
Fun to Decorate
Baking and decorating these cookies is a fun activity you can enjoy with kids, friends, or even as a relaxing solo project. The best part? You can decorate them any way you like!

Ingredients
You’ll need these ingredients to create these gorgeous, delicious cookies:
For the Sugar Cookies:
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and stay light.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness of the cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Gives the cookies a rich, buttery flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps them crisp up.
- Egg: Binds the dough together and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
- Milk: Helps bring the dough together and makes the cookies soft.
For the Buttercream Roses:
- Unsalted butter: The base for the buttercream, giving it a creamy texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the buttercream and gives it the right consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds flavor to the buttercream.
- Milk or heavy cream: Adjusts the consistency of the frosting to your liking.
- Gel food coloring: For creating beautiful rose colors. (You can use any color you want!)
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into how you can make these lovely heart-shaped cookies with buttercream roses!
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies don’t stick to the pan.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough comes together. Add a splash of milk if the dough feels too dry.
3. Chill the Dough:
Once your dough is ready, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape when baking and makes rolling out the dough much easier.
4. Roll and Cut the Cookies:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies, and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. Space the cookies about 1-2 inches apart.
5. Bake:
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as they bake quickly! Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare the Buttercream:
While the cookies are cooling, make the buttercream frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (or heavy cream), and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add food coloring to achieve your desired color for the buttercream roses.
7. Pipe the Buttercream Roses:
Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate! Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a rose tip (like a Wilton 1M tip). Pipe beautiful roses onto each cookie, starting from the center and working your way outward in a swirl motion. You can pipe multiple roses on each cookie or just one, depending on your preference.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Once you’ve decorated all your cookies, let the buttercream set for a few minutes. These cookies are ready to enjoy as a delightful gift or to serve at your next special event!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 cookies
Calories per serving: 210
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 85mg
Total Carbohydrates: 31g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 19g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 6% DV
Vitamin C: 0% DV
Calcium: 1% DV
Iron: 3% DV
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
How to Serve Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Roses
These cookies are so pretty and festive that they can be the star of any event. Here are a few ideas to elevate your serving experience:
Giftable Treats:
Pack them in a cute box or tin with a ribbon and give them to your friends, family, or a loved one. They make perfect homemade gifts for any occasion.
Serve with Tea or Coffee:
These cookies go wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Their soft texture and buttery flavor pair perfectly with a warm beverage.
Dessert Table Showstopper:
If you’re hosting a party, these cookies will add a gorgeous touch to any dessert table. Display them on a cake stand or platter for extra elegance.
For Your Special Someone:
Of course, these heart-shaped cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any romantic occasion. A homemade treat like this says, “I love you,” in the sweetest way possible.
Additional Tips
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is key to getting crisp, beautiful heart-shaped cookies that hold their shape when baking.
- Customize the Colors: You can get creative with the buttercream colors—mix and match to create a rainbow of roses or stick to one color theme for a more elegant look.
- Make Extra Buttercream: If you’re a buttercream lover, consider making extra frosting to pipe some flowers onto cupcakes or other desserts!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A1: Absolutely! You can make the cookies a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Decorate them with buttercream the day you plan to serve them.
Q2: How can I make the buttercream firmer?
A2: If your buttercream is too soft for piping, add a little more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the right consistency.
Q3: Can I freeze these cookies?
A3: Yes, you can freeze the cookies before or after decorating. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before freezing. If freezing after decorating, place a piece of parchment paper between each cookie to prevent the buttercream from sticking.
Q4: Can I use a different shape instead of hearts?
A4: Of course! You can use any cookie cutter shape you prefer. Stars, flowers, or circles would all be cute alternatives!
Q5: How do I make the buttercream roses look professional?
A5: Practice makes perfect! Start by piping a small dot of frosting in the center of the cookie, then pipe swirling petals around it. Don’t rush—take your time to create those perfect rose layers.
Q6: How long can I store these cookies?
A6: These cookies will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days at room temperature in an airtight container. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them!
Q7: Can I use store-bought frosting instead of homemade buttercream?
A7: Yes, you can use store-bought frosting if you’re short on time. However, homemade buttercream gives these cookies a richer, more personalized flavor.
Q8: How do I get the buttercream to hold its shape when piping?
A8: Make sure your butter is soft, but not melted. Also, chilling your piped cookies for a few minutes can help the buttercream hold its shape better.
Q9: Can I add sprinkles or other decorations to these cookies?
A9: Absolutely! Sprinkles, edible glitter, or even little heart-shaped candies can add a fun touch to your cookies.
Q10: Can I make these cookies vegan?
A10: Yes! You can make vegan sugar cookies by substituting the butter with plant-based butter and using a flax egg or another egg substitute. Use a dairy-free frosting or make your own with non-dairy butter and powdered sugar.
Conclusion
These Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Roses are the perfect combination of beauty and flavor. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just to spread a little love, they’re sure to impress. Soft, buttery cookies topped with gorgeous, colorful roses—they’re the ultimate sweet treat! Enjoy baking, decorating, and, most importantly, eating these delightful cookies!
Print
Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Roses
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. With a buttery, soft cookie base topped with beautiful buttercream roses, they’re as gorgeous as they are delicious. A sweet and romantic way to celebrate!
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups (340g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional, for flavor)
For the Buttercream Roses:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, pink, or other desired colors)
Instructions
-
For the Sugar Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill (this makes the dough easier to roll).
- Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
For the Buttercream Roses:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Increase the speed to medium and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Divide the buttercream into separate bowls and tint each with your desired food coloring.
- Fit a piping bag with a large rose tip (such as a Wilton 1M) and fill the bag with the buttercream.
- To pipe the roses, hold the piping bag at a 45-degree angle over the center of each cookie. Start in the middle and pipe a swirl outward to form a rose.
- Repeat for all cookies, using different colors for variety if desired.
Notes
- You can refrigerate the decorated cookies for up to 3 days or freeze the unbaked cookies for later use.
- The buttercream roses can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, just bring them to room temperature before piping.
- Add sprinkles or edible glitter to the roses for an extra special touch.
- For a more intense flavor, consider adding a dash of almond extract to the buttercream.
- If you prefer a thicker or thinner consistency for the frosting, adjust the amount of powdered sugar or cream accordingly.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 35mg