Copycat Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies Recipe

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Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies are already a fan favorite for their adorable festive designs and oven-ready dough, but today, I’m going to show you how to take them up a notch with a few personal touches of love and creativity.

How to make Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies

Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies are seasonal, ready-to-bake sugar cookies from Pillsbury, made for Valentine’s Day and typically shaped or decorated with heart designs.

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds a nice flavor kick)
• Red or pink gel food coloring (optional, for Valentine’s-themed dough)

For decoration:

• Heart-shaped cookie cutters
• Royal icing or buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade)
• Sprinkles and decorations (red, pink, white, candy hearts, edible glitter, or chocolates)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Cookie Dough

1. Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. Cream the butter and sugar: Use a large bowl, and with a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
3. Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. If you want colorful dough, add 2-3 drops of red or pink gel food coloring at this stage to give your cookies a Valentine’s Day twist.
4. Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, just until it comes together and forms a dough. Avoid overmixing.

Step 2: Chill the Cookie Dough

1. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. (Don’t skip this step—it makes the dough easier to roll and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.)

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat.

Step 4: Roll Out and Cut Shapes

1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
2. Use heart-shaped cookie cutters (or any preferred designs) to cut out shapes. Re-roll the scraps of dough as needed, but avoid overworking the dough.
3. Place the cut shapes on the prepared baking sheet, about 1-2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

1. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just set. The centers will still look soft—this ensures chewy cookies!
2. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Decorate the Cookies

1. Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate them! Here are some Valentine’s-themed tips for decorating:
2. Royal Icing Designs: Create cute messages, hearts, or outlines with royal icing and a piping bag. You can tint the icing with food coloring for a pink, white, or red palette.
3. Buttercream Frosting: Spread or pipe buttercream frosting over the tops. Add sprinkles or edible glitters for extra flair.
4. Candy Embellishments: Stick Valentine’s candies or mini chocolate hearts onto the frosting.
5. Let the decorations set before serving or storing the cookies.

Tips for Perfect Valentine’s Cookies

• Chilling the Dough: Always chill your dough for at least an hour (or even overnight). This step prevents the cookies from spreading and ensures crisp edges.
• Perfect Rolling Thickness: Aim for ¼-inch thickness when rolling out your dough. This prevents the cookies from being too thin and crispy or too thick to bake evenly.
• Customize the Colors: Use red or pink food coloring to make the dough festive, or add swirls of both to create a marble effect!
• Keep It Simple: If you’re short on time, stick with simple cookie cutters or use powdered sugar dusted over stencils for quick and elegant designs.

What to serve with

Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies are delightful on their own, but adding the perfect accompaniments can elevate your Valentine’s treat into a full-fledged dessert experience.

1. Classic Milk: The timeless combination of cookies and milk never fails. Serve a chilled glass of regular, almond, or oat milk alongside for dunking—or even use pink strawberry milk to fit the Valentine’s theme.

2. Hot Cocoa: A warm mug of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a sprinkle of red and pink sugar, pairs perfectly with the sweet crunch of Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies.

3. Coffee or Latte: Pair the cookies with a freshly brewed latte, cappuccino, or flavored coffee (try vanilla or caramel). For added flair, sprinkle some powdered cocoa or cinnamon on top of your coffee foam for a festive touch.

4. Tea: Sweet cookies go beautifully with a mild herbal tea, such as chamomile or mint. If you want to stay festive, a rose-flavored tea or hibiscus tea can add romantic vibes to your pairing.

5. Dessert Milkshakes: Blend up a Valentine’s milkshake using vanilla or strawberry ice cream, milk, and a splash of pink food coloring. You can even crush leftover cookies and sprinkle them on top for decoration.

Ingredients Substitutes

Not all pantry items are readily available, and Valentine’s Day calls for creativity and flexibility, especially when baking! If you’re making Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies from scratch or need substitutes for specific ingredients, you’ll find plenty of options below to help adjust the recipe while still achieving delicious results.

1. All-Purpose Flour

The backbone of most cookies, flour can be swapped depending on your dietary needs or availability:

• Whole Wheat Flour: Use whole wheat flour in a 1:1 ratio, but note that your cookies may be a bit denser and slightly less sweet.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur). These blends are made to mimic all-purpose flour in texture and baking consistency.
• Almond Flour: For a low-carb alternative, use almond flour. However, you’ll need extra binding agents (like egg whites or xanthan gum) as almond flour can make cookies crumbly.
• Oat Flour: Blend rolled oats in a food processor to create your own oat flour—use it in a 1:1 ratio for a softer, chewier cookie.

2. Butter

Butter provides flavor, moisture, and structure to cookies, but you can substitute it in several ways:

• Margarine: Use margarine in equal quantities for a similar flavor and fat content.
• Coconut Oil: Use melted coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio for a dairy-free alternative. It will add a mild coconut flavor, which pairs beautifully with Valentine’s-themed cookies.
• Plant-Based Butter: Vegan butter sticks or spreads work well for non-dairy cookies. Ensure you’re using a solid plant-based butter for baking (not margarine spreads, which can alter texture).
• Applesauce: Replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce (use ½ cup applesauce per 1 cup butter). This creates softer, moister cookies while reducing fat.

3. Granulated Sugar

Sugar sweetens cookies and contributes to their structure, but there are plenty of ways to customize it:

• Brown Sugar: Swap granulated sugar for light or dark brown sugar in a 1:1 ratio for chewier cookies with a deeper, molasses-like flavor.
• Coconut Sugar: Use coconut sugar in equal amounts for a natural, less processed sweetener. It works well and adds a subtle caramel taste.
• Powdered Monk Fruit Sweetener: A perfect choice for low-sugar or calorie-conscious baking, monk fruit sweetener can be used 1:1 in place of sugar.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: For liquid sweeteners, substitute ¾ cup of honey or maple syrup for every 1 cup of sugar. Reduce the other liquids in the recipe slightly to compensate.

4. Eggs

Eggs act as a binder and add richness to cookies, but there are great alternatives if you’re egg-free:

• Flaxseed Meal: Combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of warm water to create a “flax egg.” Let it sit for 5 minutes until it forms a gel-like consistency.
• Applesauce: Use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg for extra moisture and natural sweetness.
• Mashed Banana: Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup of mashed banana. Keep in mind that this adds a slight banana flavor to the recipe.
• Yogurt or Vegan Greek Yogurt: Use ¼ cup of plain yogurt per egg. This option provides moisture and structure without altering flavor.

5. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla gives cookies a warm, aromatic flavor, but you can replace it with other extracts or options:

• Almond Extract: Use almond extract for a nutty, richer flavor. Be cautious—almond extract is more potent than vanilla, so use half the amount (e.g., ½ teaspoon almond extract for every 1 teaspoon vanilla).
• Maple Extract: For a sweet twist, maple extract works beautifully as a substitute. Use it 1:1.
• Cinnamon: Add cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the cookies, choosing spices over extract if you want an earthy flavor.

6. Food Coloring

If red or pink gel food coloring isn’t available, there are natural alternatives:

• Beet Juice or Powder: Use beet juice or beet powder to naturally dye your dough a beautiful red or pink. The flavor is mild and won’t affect the cookies.
• Strawberry Puree: Blend strawberries into a puree and use it for a vibrant, pink-red tint along with a fruity essence. Reduce other liquids slightly to accommodate the puree’s moisture.
• Turmeric + Beet Mixture: For a warm pink shade, mix turmeric and beet juice in small amounts.

Final Thoughts

Pillsbury Valentine’s Cookies are not only fun and festive but also versatile when it comes to serving.

More Pillsbury Recipes:

• Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Cookies Recipe
• Pillsbury Gingerbread Cookie Dough Recipe
• Copycat Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe