MAKE IT CUTE

New V-Day rule: baked goods > candy. While we ~heart~ conversation hearts and chocolate, taking time to bake your bae (or your besties!) cookies is *so* much more personal. If you're not a pro-baker, no problem! These recipes aren't just adorable—they're also incredibly doable. 

1.  Strawberry cake mix cookies

Ingredients:
💗 Strawberry cake mix
💗 Eggs
💗 Vegetable oil
💗 White chocolate chips

With only four ingredients, these cookies are simple to make and still taste delicious. The stunning color is an added bonus, ofc. Find the complete recipe here. 

2. Thumbprint cookies

Ingredients:
💗 All-purpose flour
💗 Baking powder
💗 Kosher salt
💗 Butter
💗 Granulated sugar
💗 Eggs
💗 Vanilla extract
💗 Jam

Sweet buttery cookies with a tart touch of jam in the middle? Name a better combo. For an extra Valentine-y effect, make two diagonal thumbprints on the cookie instead of just one for a cute heart shape. Find the complete recipe here. 

3. Pinwheel cookies

Ingredients:
💗 Butter
💗 Sugar
💗 Eggs
💗 Vanilla extract
💗 Milk
💗 Flour
💗 Baking powder
💗 Salt
💗 Red food coloring

A complicated-looking cookie with low effort? Sign us up. While we love a classic red or pink, feel free to swap the red food coloring out for your Valentine's favorite color (purple, perhaps?). Find the complete recipe here.

4. Double chocolate cookies

Ingredients:
💗 All-purpose flour
💗 Cocoa powder
💗 Kosher salt
💗 Baking powder
💗 Baking soda
💗 Unsalted butter
💗 Dark brown sugar
💗 Granulated sugar
💗 Eggs
💗 Vanilla extract
💗 Semisweet chocolate chips

Even though we're avoiding the typical chocolate box, there's no reason to avoid chocolate altogether! Get your fix with these delectable cookies and all their chocolaty goodness. Find the complete recipe here. 

5. Mini heart sugar cookies

Ingredients:
💗 All-purpose flour
💗 Baking powder
💗 Sea salt
💗 Unsalted butter
💗 Sugar
💗 Vanilla extract
💗 Whole milk
💗 Eggs
💗 Powdered sugar
💗 Meringue powder
💗 Warm water

You will melt your besties' hearts with a cookie goodie bag! The color options for icing are endless—and are sure to brighten everyone's day as they snack on these sweet treats. Find the complete recipe here. 

6. Peanut butter blossoms

Ingredients:
💗 All-purpose flour
💗 Baking soda
💗 Salt
💗 Butter
💗 Smooth peanut butter (or your fave nut butter!)
💗 Sugar
💗 Light brown sugar
💗 Eggs
💗 Milk
💗 Vanilla extract
💗 Hershey's kisses

Peanut butter cookies with a literal kiss in the middle? It's hard for these *not* to be on the list. Find the complete recipe here.

7. Heart window cookies

Ingredients:
💗 All-purpose flour
💗 Baking powder
💗 Unsalted butter
💗 Sugar
💗 Eggs
💗 Milk
💗 Vanilla
💗 Your fave fruit spread

Fun fact: These cookies are called "jammie dodgers" in the United Kingdom and are a classic dessert. To make your own, be sure you have two heart-shaped cookie cutters—a big one and a smaller one. Find the complete recipe here. 

8.  Rice Krispie hearts

Ingredients:
💗 Rice Krispies cereal
💗 Butter
💗 Mini marshmallows
💗Optional: Pink and white candy melts

We're willing to widen the cookie definition for these gorgeous Rice Krispies treats. Using the same cookie cutters from your heart window cookies will give them a perfect Valentine-y upgrade. Add a pink chocolate dip and a white chocolate drizzle? Your treats are basically Cupid's arrow. Find the complete recipe here. 

9.  Red velvet cookies

Ingredients:
💗 All-purpose flour
💗 Cocoa powder
💗 Baking soda
💗 Salt
💗 Unsalted butter
💗 Sugar
💗 Brown sugar
💗 Eggs
💗 Red food coloring
💗 Vanilla extract
💗 White vinegar or lemon juice
💗 Your favorite kind of chocolate chips

A classic V-day red with a rich chocolatey flavor might be the second-best pair... besides you and your S.O., ofc. Find the complete recipe here. 

10. Vanilla meringues

Ingredients:
💗 Egg whites
💗 Vanilla extract
💗 Cream of tartar
💗 Sugar

If you couldn't already tell by the short ingredient list, these cookies are low-maintenance.  Sprinkle them with some festive sprinkles and voila! Find the complete recipe here. 

The Valentine inspo doesn't stop here! Check out these other GL articles:
💌 The *ultimate* rom-com binge guide
💌 5 ways to celebrate Valentine's Day even if you aren't in a relationship
💌 An episode-by-episode list for the ultimate V-Day Disney Channel marathon

We can't wait to see your *gorg* cookie creations! Tag us in your Insta stories @girlslifemag for a chance to be featured!

GIF via GIPHY • Top image: @cookiesbykristi • Slider: @cookiemakinmama • 1. @marcmagno27 • 2. @gisselleslittlebakery 3.  @simplyrecipes • 4. @roya_kitchen • 5. @cookiemakinmama • 6. @homemadehooplah 7. @mollys.baking • 8. @nanasprinklesbakeshop • 9. @chahinez_tbt • 10. @recipegirl

by Riley Yates | 2/2/2022