Happy Valentine’s Day!  There’s no better time to get your baking hands involved in something special. This year, why not try making these delightful vegan heart-shaped cookies? Soft, slightly chewy, and with a hint of buttery flavour, these cookies are the perfect treat to share with loved ones (or to indulge in yourself, no judgment here!).

The great thing about these cookies is that they are not only delicious but also fun to make. If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive baking project, this is it! Plus, they’re dairy-free and egg-free, so even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy them. Whether you’re baking with children, surprising your partner, or simply treating yourself, these cookies are sure to bring joy to anyone who tastes them.

If you’re looking for more vegan meal ideas to serve alongside your Valentine’s Day treats, why not check out some delicious options that can be delivered right to your door? With services like Root Kitchen, you can enjoy vegan meals delivered straight to you, making your special day even easier to enjoy.

Why These Heart-Shaped Vegan Valentine’s Cookies?

Valentine’s Day treats are a tradition for many, and while you might be used to seeing chocolates and red velvet cakes, there’s something extra special about homemade cookies. They are versatile, easy to decorate, and of course, utterly delicious. This recipe provides a twist on traditional sugar cookies by making them completely vegan, without compromising on taste or texture.

You can keep them simple with just a dusting of icing sugar, or you can go all out with colourful royal icing and fun sprinkles. The process is straightforward and enjoyable—perfect for any skill level, and especially great for children to help with. There’s no wrong way to do it, so feel free to get creative and make them your own!

If you prefer your meals to be quick and easy, check out some cheap vegan food options available at Root Kitchen. They have a fantastic range of affordable plant-based meals that are ready to eat, so you can focus on making your cookies while they take care of your main meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious vegan heart-shaped cookies:

• Dairy-free margarine: I recommend using margarine instead of block ‘butter’ for a soft and malleable dough. I used Vitalite, which works perfectly for these cookies.
• Caster sugar: These cookies are not overly sweet on their own, so the icing helps to bring in some additional sweetness. If you prefer a more subtle taste, you can skip the icing entirely.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla adds that lovely, familiar flavour we all know and love.
• Plain flour: Also known as all-purpose flour, this will be the base of your dough.
• Soy milk: This helps bring everything together, and I recommend unsweetened organic soy milk for the best results.
• Food colouring (optional): Want to add a pop of colour? Feel free to use food colouring in your dough or icing. I used pink gel food colouring for that extra touch of Valentine’s Day magic.
• Icing (optional): For a simple water icing, all you’ll need is icing sugar and water. However, if you’re feeling fancy, try royal icing with aquafaba, cream of tartar, and icing sugar for a glossy finish.

How to Make Heart-Shaped Vegan Valentine’s Day Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by creaming together 150g of dairy-free margarine and 150g of caster sugar in a large mixing bowl. Once well combined, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for that delicious flavour.

Next, mix in 290g of plain flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of soy milk. Use a wooden spoon to bring the ingredients together. When the mixture starts to form dough, use your hands to knead it into a ball. If the dough feels too sticky, simply add more flour; if it’s too dry, splash in a little extra soy milk.

Once you have a smooth dough, cover it and pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and shape.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F. Line one or two baking trays with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick during baking. This recipe yields about 24 cookies, so you can bake them all at once or in batches.

Step 3: Add Food Colouring (Optional)

If you want to make colourful cookies, this is the time to divide the dough. Take half of it and knead in some pink food colouring (or any other colour you fancy). Leave the other half of the dough uncoloured for a mix of both shades. Knead the colouring in until there are no streaks and the dough is evenly coloured.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

Roll the dough onto a floured surface until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. You don’t want to make it too thin, or the cookies will be too crunchy instead of soft and chewy. Now, grab a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter and start cutting out your cookie shapes. Don’t forget to re-roll the leftover dough and use it all up!

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Place the heart-shaped cookies onto your prepared baking tray, leaving a little space between them. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are firm and you see tiny cracks across the surface. Be careful not to let them brown, as that will make them too crispy. Once done, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Decorating Your Vegan Valentine’s Cookies

Once your cookies have cooled, it’s time to get creative with icing!

Water Icing (Glacé Icing)

For a simple and quick option, water icing is a great choice. Mix 400g of icing sugar with 6 tablespoons of cold water. If you prefer a thinner consistency, simply add more water; for thicker icing, add more sugar.

Royal Icing

If you want a firmer and more professional finish, go for royal icing. Start by whisking 5 tablespoons of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas), 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until frothy. Gradually add 450g of icing sugar, mixing it in gently before whisking it all together until smooth and glossy.

Now it’s time to decorate! Add your food colouring to the icing, then place it in a piping bag fitted with a small to medium nozzle. Pipe the icing onto your cooled cookies, creating swirls, hearts, or any pattern you like. While the icing is still wet, you can sprinkle on some fun cake decorations or edible glitter. I used pink and red love heart sprinkles, but any of your favourite sprinkles would do!

Let the decorated cookies sit at room temperature until the icing has firmed up, then they’re ready to serve and enjoy!

If you want to save time and skip some of the kitchen work, you could also pair these cookies with some vegan ready meals from Root Kitchen. They offer a variety of tasty plant-based meals that are perfect for busy days or when you’re craving something hearty and delicious.

How to Store and Keep Your Vegan Valentine’s Cookies Fresh

These heart-shaped cookies should last for about 5 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’ve decorated them with icing, they might stay fresh a little longer, but un-iced cookies will generally last even longer.

Can You Freeze Vegan Valentine’s Cookies?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze these cookies! Whether they’re iced or not, simply ensure the icing is completely set before freezing. Stack the cookies in airtight containers with parchment paper in between the layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.

To defrost, just leave them at room temperature for a few hours, and they’ll be good to go. But be sure not to refreeze them once thawed.

If you prefer to save time in the kitchen and make meal planning easier, why not check out some vegan meal ideas at Root Kitchen? They offer a range of vegan meals that are delivered to your door, so you can focus on other fun activities, like decorating your heart-shaped cookies!

Final Thoughts

These heart-shaped vegan Valentine’s cookies are an easy, fun, and creative way to celebrate the season of love. Whether you’re making them for a special someone, a family gathering, or simply treating yourself, these soft, chewy, and delicious cookies are sure to be a hit. The best part is that they’re totally customizable, so feel free to experiment with different colours, sprinkles, and even flavours!

So grab your apron, preheat that oven, and get ready to bake a batch of sweet vegan cookies. You never know, they might just become a new Valentine’s Day tradition in your house! Happy baking! 🍪💘