57 Valentine's Day Cookies That Will Show How Much You Care
You know what's better than any corny card? Cookies. And not just any cookies. Especially when you're trying to find a new way to impress this Valentine’s Day, you’ve simply got to go homemade. Sure, you could just go with another store-bought box of chocolates or candy for your boo, but there’s nothing better than freshly baked cookies, and that goes double on this romantic holiday. Honestly, whether you’re wooing a lover, are baking for a V-Day party crowd, or just want to show your friends how much you care, these 57 Valentine’s Day cookie recipes are the best way to do it. Bonus: Everyone loves and appreciates a batch of cookies, especially hard-to-shop-for friends and lovers.
Whether you’re a master baker or a kitchen novice, we’ve included options for you here. We’ve got the classics, of course, like chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, heart-shaped sugar cookies, and chocolate crinkle cookies. If you’re looking for something that’ll take even the most average cookie recipe to the next level, may we recommend browning your butter? You won’t believe the depth of flavor it adds. Check out our brown butter snickerdoodles or our brown butter chocolate chip cookies as proof of concept, then try it out on your own.
Speaking of chocolate chip, you could also make that classic cookie extra exciting with a number of different mix-ins. Our cherry chocolate chip cookies, our peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, olive oil chocolate chip cookies, or our potato chip cookies are all good examples, but feel free to get creative.
We’ve also got some recipes here that admittedly do take a bit of extra time and effort. Trust us when we say that our French macarons, our Italian rainbow cookies, our lace cookies, our tiramisu cookie cups, and our creme brûlée sugar cookies are totally worth it.
Want even more Valentine’s Day inspiration? Check out our favorite Valentine’s Day cakes, our best romantic dinners for two, and our favorite Valentine’s cocktails too.
French Macarons
These delicate French cookies are somehow simultaneously crispy, chewy, soft, and light as air. This makes them the perfect blank canvas for creative flavors and colors. Make sure all your ingredients are room temperature to achieve the greatest success.
Get the French Macarons recipe.
Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies
What could be sweeter than baking the cutest heart-shaped cookies for your special someone (or yourself) this Valentine's? We went with a cream cheese frosting, but feel free to go with buttercream if you like. Dye the frosting any colors you wish and use any sprinkles your heart desires.
Get the Heart Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Palmiers
These little palmiers are simple to make with ingredients you likely have on hand, making them an ideal last-minute surprise if you forgot to order flowers. Puff pastry is rolled in a generous amount of granulated sugar, sprinkled with freeze-dried strawberry powder, and dipped in white chocolate. The result is flaky, jam-filled bites that will outshine any box of chocolates.
Get the Strawberry Palmiers recipe.
Tiramisu Whoopie Pies
Whoopie pies have endless possibilities, and this tiramisu version might be one of our favorites. The filling is a mascarpone and coffee whipped cream, giving it all of the flavors you’d normally find in a tiramisu and also that silky, whipped texture that makes it so decadent. These treats are great for cold-weather gatherings, but no one will complain about them in the heat of the summer either.
Get the Tiramisu Whoopie Pies recipe.
Cookie Brittle
Cookie brittle is a particularly great hack for the holidays or any time you’re entertaining when you don’t have time or the oven space to bake multiple trays of cookies. Think of it like a faster, easier way to make a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. 😍
Get the Cookie Brittle recipe.
Strawberry Love Notes
Valentine's Day doesn't need to be over-the-top lovey dovey or seriously sad and depressing. Instead, February 14 should be fun! These strawberry "love notes" are the most fun—to make, to give, and to eat.
Get the Strawberry Love Notes recipe.
Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
We've made our fair share of variations on the chocolate chip cookie over the years, from chewy to brown butter, but this recipe takes the cake: They’re the most classic, least-fussy version—exactly what you want when you’re looking for a no-frills, soft, and fudgy cookie.
Get the Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Oreo Cookie Cake
This version of our OG cookie cake takes things to the next level by putting cookies INSIDE the "cake". It’s packed with chopped Oreos (in place of chocolate chips), decorated with a rich Oreo buttercream (in place of plain chocolate or vanilla), and crowned with even more Oreos. 😍
Get the Oreo Cookie Cake recipe.
Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
Those who say that butter makes everything better are, well, not wrong, but we’re willing to bet they haven’t been brave enough to sub in olive oil instead. Enter: these secretly healthy, but no less delicious olive oil chocolate chip cookies.
Get the Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Classic Linzer Cookies
We love the combination of the flavorful, rich cookie and the sweet fruity jam. Linzers are a classic sandwich cookie, which means they're not the fastest to throw together—patience is key, but we can guarantee these are well worth the wait.
Get the Classic Linzer Cookies recipe.
Cannoli Cookies
If you love cannoli, but making them from scratch seems daunting, let us introduce you to these cookies. They have all of the flavors you love in a cannoli, like ricotta, orange zest, mini chocolate chips, and pistachios, yet they require just a fraction of the effort (perfect for a busy Valentine's Day!).
Get the Cannoli Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
Move over peanut butter blossoms, there's a new flavor in town. You’ll fall in love with hazelnut flour once you realize how nutty it makes these gianduja-inspired cookies. Melted chocolate adds extra cocoa punch to the dough, while rich and creamy Nutella tops them off.
Get the Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
It took many, many rounds of testing to get these cookies just right. Our biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid of mess. Covering the cream cheese with cookie dough is a messy task (especially with the fresh strawberries!), but we promise you it's worth it a million times over.
Get the Strawberry Shortcake Cookies recipe.
Cake Mix Cookies
If you’re looking for a last-minute homemade dessert this time of year, this recipe will give you festive cookies with just a few ingredients. All you need is a box of cake mix (any flavor!) and sprinkles.
Get the Cake Mix Cookies recipe.
Copycat Crumbl Sugar Cookie
Crumbl’s chilled sugar cookie may no longer be on their permanent menu, but now you can make it at home to have any time you want. Their signature giant cookie is an almond sugar cookie with a pretty pink frosting. It doesn't traditionally have sprinkles, but we think they're fun, especially for V-Day!
Get the Copycat Crumbl Sugar Cookie recipe.
Italian Rainbow Cookies
In this Italian classic, almond-flavored cakes are sandwiched between chocolate with layers of raspberry and apricot jam. It's true these do take some patience, but we promise, it's VERY worth the effort.
Get the Italian Rainbow Cookies recipe.
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
It doesn't get more classic and understated than shortbread, and here they have a hint of lemon to brighten up the classic melt-in-your-mouth buttery cookie. Just a tablespoon of lemon zest infuses these cookies with lemon punch since all the fragrant oils of a lemon live in the peel.
Get the Lemon Shortbread Cookies recipe.
Potato Chip Cookies
Love chocolate chip cookies? Prepare to meet your new obsession. Sweet and salty, crunchy on the outside and chewy in the center, these potato chip cookies take everything we love about the classic chocolate chip cookie and crank up the volume—big time.
Get the Potato Chip Cookies recipe.
Sugar Cookies
Here at Delish, we love all cookies *equally*—but we hold a special place in our hearts for soft sugar cookies. Crisp around the edges and soft and chewy in the center, these simple, classic treats are hard to beat.
Get the Sugar Cookies recipe.
Nutella-Stuffed Cookies
This genius hack is similar to the one we use in our peanut butter stuffed cookies—freezing the balls of Nutella before rolling cookie dough around them helps prevent an explosion while baking.
Get the Nutella-Stuffed Cookies recipe.
Stained Glass Cookies
Love sugar cookies but hate decorating them? These are for you! Simply fill cookie cutouts with hard candies like Jolly Ranchers, then bake. The candies will melt then turn soft and chewy after cooling, adding a bright pop of color to your holiday dessert table.
Get the Stained Glass Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Shortbread
If you’re looking for an easy and classic addition to your baking repertoire, chocolate shortbread should be your next bake. Slightly crisp with a meltingly tender texture, they're the perfect cookie alternative to paper Valentines this year.
Get the Chocolate Shortbread recipe.
Creme Brûlée Sugar Cookies
Caramelized sugar is our new favorite frosting sub (though don't worry, there's a little cream cheese frosting under there too). Don't have a kitchen torch? Try sticking these under the broiler.
Get the Creme Brûlée Sugar Cookies recipe.
Sugar Cookie Bars
Hot tip: the easiest way to make sugar cookies for a crowd is to turn them into bars. Somewhere between a blondie and a cookie, these bars are thick and soft with sweetly pink buttercream frosting spread on top. They take less time than scooping individual cookies and are just as good (and fun to decorate!).
Get the Sugar Cookie Bars recipe.
Lace Cookies
These delicate little lace cookies—also known as Italian Florentine cookies—are surprisingly easy to make. They are shatteringly crispy and caramel-y with just enough flour and almonds to barely hold the cookies together.
Get the Lace Cookies recipe.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
These peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are the perfect marriage of two classic sweet and salty flavors. With no chill time, these cookies come together FAST—if you're looking for a Valentine's treat ASAP, these cookies are it.
Get the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles are only made better by nutty, brown butter. These are chewy with pillowy soft centers and that classic snickerdoodle tang. As they cool, they settle into cracked and wrinkly cookies, which, in our opinion, are the very best kind.
Get the Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies recipe.
Loaded Cookie Brittle
We added pretzels, crushed potato chips, and healthy drizzles of both caramel and chocolate to our classic cookie brittle, and it is AMAZING. If you just can't decide between sweet or salty, then this chocolate chip cookie upgrade is the perfect compromise that will keep you coming back for more (and more).
Get the Loaded Cookie Brittle recipe.
Italian Lemon Cookies
Originally served at weddings (to symbolize tying the knot), these Italian cookies can now be enjoyed all year round. A soft but sturdy dough is flavored with lemon juice and zest, then rolled into a knot. After baking, it gets dipped in a lemon-y glaze and finished with even more zest.
Get the Italian Lemon Cookies recipe.
Almond Joy Cookies
What if your favorite coconut-almond-chocolate candy bar morphed into a crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie? We've done it! Joy is in the name for a reason.
Get the Almond Joy Cookies recipe.
Alfajores
Alfajores are a soft and tender shortbread cookie with dulce de leche sandwiched between. Though the cookie originated in the Middle East, the Spanish took the cookies to South America, and now they are especially popular in Argentina. The cookies can be dusted in powdered sugar or, our favorite, rolled in coconut flakes.
Get the Alfajores recipe.
Palmier Cookies
Palmiers are a classic French pastry, also known as elephant ears because of their heart-like shape. Composed of flaky puff pastry layers of butter and sugar, these three-ingredient cookies are so simple to make, and even easier to devour any day.
Get the Palmier Cookies recipe.
Amaretti Cookies
If you like the flavor of French macarons, you'll love this take on Italian amaretti cookies. Soft, pillowy, moist, sweet, and lightly scented with amaretto liqueur as well as citrus zests, these cookies get made multiple times a season, year after year.
Get the Amaretti Cookies recipe.
Vegan Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery, with crispy edges, these are the classic, quintessential sugar cookie, vegan-ized and ready to share. Whether frosted, sprinkled, or eaten plain right out of the oven, we can't get enough of them.
Get the Vegan Sugar Cookies recipe.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
We're saying it: These might be our FAVORITE version of the classic chocolate chip cookie. The cherries add a bit more sweetness with a pop of tartness that makes them unforgettable!
Get the Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Giant Chocolate Chip Covered Cookies
We've written tons of chocolate chip cookie recipes—chewy, crispy, fudgy, super-size, brown butter, you name it. It's safe to say, these are THE chippiest.
Get the Giant Chocolate Chip Covered Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These extra fudgy chocolate cookies are just as beautiful as they are delicious. The best ways to guarantee your crinkles stand out? Chill your dough and roll it in powdered sugar twice.
Get the Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe.
Italian Ricotta Cookies
These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are an Italian classic, and a breeze to make. What’s more fun than frosting? Sprinkles! You can adorn these cookies with any combination of sprinkles, so pick out special ones for Valentine's.
Get the Italian Ricotta Cookies recipe.
Tiramisu Cookie Cups
Tiramisu is one of our favorite desserts, but the process of making it the traditional way requires a lot of work. This version takes out all the extra work without sacrificing flavor. Another perk: These cup-shaped cookies make it even easier to share and eat.
Get the Tiramisu Cookie Cups recipe.
Cherry Bakewell Cookies
If you’re anything like me, a new season of Great British Bake-Off can’t come fast enough. Hopefully, these cookies will fill the void until our friends across the pond return to their illustrious tent.
Get the Cherry Bakewell Cookies recipe.
Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies)
Similar to a snowball cookie, polvorones are often called Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes; however, these cookies' origins aren't very clear—they don't seem to have much connection to weddings in Mexico. What is crystal clear is that they're melt-in-your-mouth delicious and might just be worthy of a proposal this V-Day.
Get the Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies) recipe.
Chewy Chocolate Cookies
Love chocolate chip cookies but want EVEN more chocolatey flavor? This recipe is for you. These chewy cookies double down on chocolate, thanks to the combo of cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and one of our favorite secret-weapon ingredients: instant coffee.
Get the Chewy Chocolate Cookies recipe.
Twix Cookies
These easy Twix cookies are the simplest way to make a copycat of our favorite candy bar. Crunchy shortbread is topped with caramel and milk chocolate and mimics a Twix perfectly. If you like salty sweet, a little flaky sea salt on the chocolate before it sets would be divine too.
Get the Twix Cookies recipe.
Inside-Out Red Velvet Cookies
Red velvet stuffed with a cream cheese filling that tastes like cheesecake? We're obsessed.
Get the Inside-Out Red Velvet Cookies recipe.
Ube Crinkle Cookies
With its striking color and a unique nutty vanilla flavor profile, ube has taken over the world. Upgrade your average crinkle cookie this Valentine's with ube extract and ube halaya, a popular Filipino pudding made with ube and condensed milk. Your love won't know what hit 'em!
Get the Ube Crinkle Cookies recipe.
Brownie Cookies
Is it a cookie? Is it a brownie? It's... well... both! These fudgy, SUPER-chocolatey cookies are truly the best of both worlds.
Get the Brownie Cookies recipe.
Butter Cookies
These little guys might look simple, but they're dangerously good. There's a healthy dose of salt in the dough, making it easy to down 4 or 5 without overdosing on sugar. Serve them up with a cup of coffee or chai latte for dipping for breakfast on Valentine's.
Get the Butter Cookies recipe.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles are only made better by nutty, brown butter. These are chewy with pillowy soft centers and that classic snickerdoodle tang. As they cool, they settle into cracked and wrinkly cookies, which, in our opinion, are the very best kind.
Get the Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies recipe.
Lofthouse Cookies
You know those thick, soft sugar cookies from the grocery store that have an even thicker layer of frosting on top? This homemade version is just as good! The cream cheese and cornstarch really help give it that soft texture that sticks to the roof of your mouth. Dye the frosting your boo's favorite color to make these extra special.
Get the Lofthouse Cookies recipe.
Brookies
Half fudgy brownie, half chocolate chip cookie? Yes please!
Get the Brookies recipe.
Buckeye Cookies
The gooey peanut butter center in these Buckeye-inspired cookies is to die for.
Get the Buckeye Cookies recipe.
Cookie Cake
Does your boo love chocolate chip cookies? Get ready to truly impress them with this "cake" that is just like the retro mall dessert of their dreams. Hot tip: Chocolate chips are just the beginning—fill this up with chopped nuts, candy, different sprinkles...
Get the Cookie Cake recipe.
Flourless Fudge Cookies
These gluten-free cookies are perfect—fudgy in the middle, and crispy on the outside.
Get the Flourless Fudge Cookies recipe.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Brown butter is a magical thing. It can turn an already perfect chocolate chip cookie into a phenomenal one. We also added milk powder to these cookies to make their caramel-y butter flavor even stronger. You and anyone you share them with this Valentine's will love them.
Get the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Covered Oreos
This easy Oreo dessert takes no time and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Wondering about the coconut oil? It serves two functions. 1. It thins the chocolate slightly, making it easier to dip the Oreos. 2. It helps the chocolate set much more quickly in the fridge. It's a win/win!
Get the Chocolate Covered Oreos recipe.
Conversation Heart Cookies
Move over, chocolate chip. These cookies are insanely easy and adorable—kids flip over them. Best part? They taste infinitely better than conversation hearts do on their own. 😉
Get the Conversation Heart Cookies recipe.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Traditionally, crinkle cookies are made with a doctored cake mix, but we prefer ours from scratch. To make sure these have a fudgy, almost brownie-like texture with the perfect crinkles, roll them in powdered sugar (yes, twice!) and don't over-bake them.
Get the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies recipe.
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