Conversation Heart Cookies are the sweetest little throwback treat. You get soft heart-shaped sugar cookies, a smooth pastel “candy” coating, and cute little messages on top—just like the classic Valentine candy, but way more delicious.
The best part is how doable they are. The cookie dough rolls easily, holds its shape, and bakes up thick and tender. Then you use a simple icing that dries smooth and matte, so your Conversation Heart Cookies look polished without needing fancy piping skills.
These Conversation Heart Cookies are always a party hit for classrooms, cookie boxes, and Valentine dessert trays. Once you make them, everyone will ask how you got the finish so cute (and so neat).
Why You’ll Love These Conversation Heart Cookies
- Better than candy hearts: You get the same fun look, but with soft, buttery cookie flavor.
- Smooth, matte finish: The icing dries pretty and candy-like, perfect for stamping messages.
- Decorating is easy: You can dip, spread, or flood—no advanced piping needed.
- Great for gifting: They stack well and look adorable in treat bags and cookie boxes.
- Make-ahead friendly: Bake the cookies ahead and decorate when you have time.
- Kid-approved project: Perfect for a fun decorating afternoon.
Ingredients for Conversation Heart Cookies
Soft Heart Sugar Cookies
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Gives the cookies structure so the hearts hold their shape.
Tip: Spoon and level the flour so the cookies stay tender.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Helps the cookies puff slightly so they stay soft and thick.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and boosts buttery flavor.
- Unsalted butter (3/4 cup, softened): The rich base that makes these taste homemade.
Sub: Salted butter works—reduce added salt to 1/4 teaspoon.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetness and classic sugar cookie texture.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough and keeps the texture smooth.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Warm flavor that pairs with any icing.
- Almond extract (1/4 teaspoon, optional): Makes the cookies taste bakery-style with just a tiny hint.
- Sour cream (2 tablespoons): Keeps the cookies extra soft.
Sub: Plain Greek yogurt.
Matte Icing for the Candy Heart Look
- Powdered sugar (3 cups): Creates a smooth, thick icing that sets nicely.
- Meringue powder (2 tablespoons): Helps the icing dry firm so you can stamp or write messages.
- Light corn syrup (2 tablespoons): Helps the icing set smooth and neat.
- Warm water (5–7 tablespoons): Adjusts thickness for dipping or flooding.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds flavor.
- Gel food coloring (pastel shades): Strong color without thinning the icing.
For Messages
- Food-safe edible marker or letter stamps: Quick and clean.
How to Make Conversation Heart Cookies
- 1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- 2. Cream butter and sugar on medium for 2 minutes until fluffy.
- 3. Beat in egg, vanilla, almond extract (if using), and sour cream until smooth.
- 4. Mix in the dry ingredients on low just until a soft dough forms. Chill 45–60 minutes.
- 5. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick, cut hearts, and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- 6. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until edges are set and bottoms are barely golden. Cool completely.
- 7. Whisk icing until smooth. Tint pastel colors. Adjust with water until icing ribbons and disappears in about 10 seconds.
- 8. Dip cookie tops in icing and let dry 2–3 hours until firm.
- 9. Write or stamp messages on fully dry icing.
Reader Review: “These Conversation Heart Cookies were the cutest thing on our Valentine dessert table. The icing dried perfectly and the messages looked so neat—plus they stayed soft for days!”
Tips for Perfect Conversation Heart Cookies
- Chill the dough: Keeps hearts sharp and prevents spreading.
- Don’t overbake: Pull cookies when tops still look pale for soft centers.
- Roll evenly: 1/4-inch keeps cookies sturdy for dipping.
- Fix icing slowly: Add water 1 teaspoon at a time so it stays smooth, not runny.
- Dry fully before writing: This prevents smudges and dents.
- Pop bubbles: Use a toothpick right after dipping for a glassy smooth top.
Variations & Substitutions
- Sprinkle hearts: Add sprinkles right after dipping before icing sets.
- Chocolate-dipped edges: Dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate after icing dries.
- Lemon hearts: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the dough and use a splash of lemon juice in the icing.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend; chill well and roll gently.
- No meringue powder: Skip it for a softer set (allow extra dry time).
Make-Ahead & Freezing
- Make-ahead dough: Refrigerate wrapped dough up to 3 days.
- Freeze dough: Freeze dough discs up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Freeze baked cookies: Freeze undecorated cookies up to 2 months; thaw and decorate later.
Storing & Serving
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for 4–5 days with parchment between layers.
- Best texture: Keep tightly covered so they stay soft.
Serving Suggestions
- Classroom treats: Bag 2–3 cookies with a ribbon.
- Cookie box: Pair with strawberry cake mix cookies or red velvet crinkle cookies.
- Dessert board: Add berries and chocolates for an easy Valentine spread.
If you make these Conversation Heart Cookies, leave a rating and a comment—and tell me what messages you wrote. Are you going classic (BE MINE) or funny (TEXT ME)?
Print
Conversation Heart Cookies (Easy, Soft, Valentine’s Day Perfect)
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes (includes icing dry time)
- Yield: About 24 cookies (varies by cutter size)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Conversation Heart Cookies are soft heart-shaped sugar cookies with smooth pastel icing that dries firm and matte—perfect for cute stamped messages and Valentine gifting.
Ingredients
Cookies
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, optional
– 2 tablespoons sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
Matte Icing
– 3 cups powdered sugar
– 2 tablespoons meringue powder
– 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 5–7 tablespoons warm water, as needed
– Gel food coloring, pastel shades
Instructions
1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Beat butter and sugar on medium 2 minutes until fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla, almond extract (if using), and sour cream.
3. Mix in dry ingredients on low just until a soft dough forms. Chill 45–60 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut hearts.
5. Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are set and bottoms are barely golden. Cool completely.
6. Whisk icing until smooth. Tint pastel colors and adjust with water to a slow ribbon consistency.
7. Dip cookie tops in icing and let dry 2–3 hours until firm.
8. Write or stamp messages on fully dry icing.
Notes
– Key tip: Chill dough for sharp heart shapes and minimal spreading.
– Icing fix: Add water 1 teaspoon at a time to thin; add powdered sugar to thicken.
– Dry time matters: Let icing dry fully before writing so messages don’t smear.
– Freezing: Freeze un-iced cookies up to 2 months; thaw and decorate.
– Tools: Heart cookie cutter, parchment paper, baking sheets, cooling rack, bowls, whisk.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 1 hour Cook time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American