Valentine’s Day Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Celebrate love with these charming Valentine’s Day Crinkle Cookies. Soft, sweet, and beautifully cracked, these cookies are perfect for sharing or savoring with a cup of coffee. Their delightful red or pink hues add a festive touch to any occasion.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Few drops red or pink food coloring
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until creamy and uniform in texture.
- Step 4: Add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to achieve your desired shade, mixing well.
- Step 5: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined—avoid overmixing.
- Step 6: Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to ensure a better crinkle pattern during baking.
- Step 7: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 8: Roll the chilled dough into small balls, then coat each ball in granulated or powdered sugar, or a mix of both.
- Step 9: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are cracked on top and set at the edges.
- Step 10: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For a chocolate twist, replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder.
- Chilling the dough is key to getting those signature crinkles—it helps the dough firm up and bake evenly.
- Use a mix of granulated and powdered sugar for rolling the dough to enhance the crackled appearance and add extra sweetness.
Storage
Store your Valentine’s Day Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Reheat briefly in a low oven or microwave for a soft, fresh-baked feel.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling.
What if I don’t have food coloring?
The cookies will still be delicious without food coloring, though they won’t have the traditional Valentine’s Day red or pink color. You could also try natural colorings like beet juice for a similar effect.
PrintValentine’s Day Crinkle Cookies Recipe
These Valentine’s Day Crinkle Cookies are soft, sweet, and beautifully cracked on top, making them a perfect festive treat to celebrate the season of love. Flavored with vanilla and tinted with red or pink food coloring, they offer a charming presentation ideal for gifting or savoring with a cup of coffee.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Few drops red or pink food coloring
Coating
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar together until smooth and fully combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Stir in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, mixing until the batter becomes creamy and smooth.
- Add food coloring: Incorporate a few drops of red or pink food coloring depending on your preferred shade, mixing until evenly distributed.
- Add dry ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, making sure not to overmix to keep the texture tender.
- Chill dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to firm up, which helps achieve the signature crinkled effect when baked.
- Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Form and coat cookies: Roll the chilled dough into small balls, then coat each ball in granulated sugar followed by powdered sugar, ensuring a generous coating for the crinkle effect.
- Bake: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes or until the cookies develop a cracked appearance and are set around the edges.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your charming Valentine’s Day treat!
Notes
- Chill the dough before baking to achieve the best crinkle pattern.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- For a chocolate variation, replace 2 tablespoons of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder.
Keywords: Valentine’s Day cookies, crinkle cookies, pink cookies, holiday baking, soft cookies, festive treats, vanilla cookies

