Marbled Valentine Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Marbled Valentine Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for celebrating love and friendship. Their beautiful swirled colors and tender texture make them as fun to look at as they are to eat. Whether for a party or a cozy afternoon, these cookies bring a festive touch to any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Gel food coloring (dark pink recommended)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Step 2: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, followed by salt and baking powder. Scrape the bowl as needed to combine evenly.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour, increasing mixing speed as needed until the dough is fully combined and no streaks remain.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough in half, transferring half to a clean bowl and setting it aside.
5. Step 5: Add a small amount of dark pink gel food coloring to the remaining dough. Beat until the color is fully incorporated and streak-free.
6. Step 6: Pinch off golf ball-sized portions from each dough and roll into balls. Arrange alternately colored dough balls on your work surface.
7. Step 7: Gently knead all the dough balls together just until swirls of color appear. Avoid over-mixing to keep the marbled effect.
8. Step 8: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 to 60 minutes.
9. Step 9: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
10. Step 10: Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
11. Step 11: Freeze the cut cookies on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before baking. Gather scraps, press together, rewrap, and keep chilled for rolling again.
12. Step 12: Bake the cookies at 350°F for 12 minutes. Let them rest on the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering the dough texture.
• For a more defined marble effect, knead the dough just until colors swirl without fully blending.
• Try different color combinations to match holidays or themes.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, a hand mixer or sturdy spoon works well for mixing.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, let frozen cookies thaw completely at room temperature or warm briefly in a low oven.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is preferred because it provides more intense color without adding extra liquid, which can affect dough consistency. If using liquid food coloring, add it sparingly to avoid changing the dough texture.

What if my dough is too sticky to roll out?

If the dough is too sticky, chill it longer or lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Avoid adding too much extra flour, as it can make cookies tough.

Marbled Valentine Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 130 reviews

Delight in these Marbled Valentine Sugar Cookies featuring a beautiful swirl of pink and white dough, perfect for a festive Valentine’s Day treat. Soft, buttery, and intricately patterned, these cookies combine classic sugar cookie flavors with a stunning marbled effect that is sure to impress.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 medium-sized cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Coloring

• Gel food coloring (dark pink)

Instructions

1. Mix the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, then add salt and baking powder. Scrape the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing. Gradually add the flour, increasing speed as necessary, until the dough is fully combined and no streaks remain.
2. Divide and color the dough: Split the dough evenly in half, placing one half into a clean bowl. Add a small amount of dark pink gel food coloring to the remaining dough and beat until the color is uniform with no streaks.
3. Create the marble effect: Take golf ball–sized portions from each dough color, roll into balls, and arrange an alternating pattern of colored dough balls on your workspace. Gently knead them together just until swirls appear, being careful not to overmix to keep distinct marbling.
4. Chill the dough: Form the swirled dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes to firm up.
5. Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
6. Roll and cut cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut desired shapes with cookie cutters and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze the cut cookies for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape.
7. Handle remaining dough: Gather scraps and remaining dough, press together gently to preserve marbling, wrap in plastic, and return to the refrigerator until ready to roll and cut more cookies.
8. Bake: Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 12 minutes. Once baked, allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Using gel food coloring ensures vibrant colors without altering the dough consistency.
• Freezing the cut cookies before baking helps them keep their shape and prevents spreading.
• Be careful not to overknead the marbled dough to retain distinct swirls.
• For softer cookies, avoid overbaking; watch the edges and remove when lightly golden.
• Cookies can be decorated with icing or sprinkles after cooling if desired.

Keywords: Valentine sugar cookies, marbled cookies, holiday cookies, sugar cookie recipe, Valentine’s Day dessert, marbled dough