The Best (and Cutest) Pink Heart Frosted Sugar Cookies Recipe

Pink Heart Frosted Sugar Cookies by Sharon Hsu of sparklecakerie.com

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Dear friend,

This recipe is by Sharon Hsu, my good friend and Subtle Asian Baking member. Sharon will be posting a monthly recipe here. Since it’s February, it means Valentine’s Day, but honestly, these cute and delicious Pink Heart Frosted Sugar Cookies are perfect for any occasion.

If you’re craving a sugar cookie, you can skip the frosting step and still have a great base sugar cookie recipe to fall back on. Or let’s say you just need a frosting recipe, then skip the sugar cookie.

And of course, don’t skip the variations. For example, jazz up the cookies with some sprinkles. Or change the flavor and color of the frosting or the cookie dough even.

Pink Heart Frosted Sugar Cookies by Sharon Hsu of sparklecakerie.com

Finally, you’ll see there’s miso in both the cookie dough and the frosting. Miso is a flavor balancer that cuts the sweetness while adding a pleasant pop of umami and salinity. Once you add miso to your desserts, be it red or white, you’ll stop adding those pinches of salt.

As always, happy baking and munching on delicious cookies!

XOXOXO,

Kat <3

Modern Asian Baking at Home: Essential Sweet and Savory Recipes for Milk Bread, Mochi, Mooncakes, and More; Inspired by the Subtle Asian Baking Community

By Lieu, Kat

Buy on Amazon

Yield 7

Author Sharon Hsu

Prep time

20 Min

Cook time

12 Min

Inactive time

20 Min

Total time

52 Min

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Pink Heart Frosted Sugar Cookies

I have a soft spot for heart-themed treats because they’re just so adorable. I’m Asian, so sharing homemade food is one of my ultimate love languages! This pink heart frosted sugar cookie recipe was created with Valentine’s Day in mind, but honestly, love should be celebrated year-round. 🩵This one-bowl sugar cookie recipe is crisp on the outside with soft, chewy center cookies for the perfect sweet treat. Buttery and not-too-sweet, the pandan and vanilla extract combo adds creamy floral, grassy notes. Use dragon fruit juice or powder to tint the cutest pink heart frosting on top naturally. (Strawberry or raspberry powder works too!)

Ingredients

For the sugar cookie

• ½ cup (about 113 grams/1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ¾ cup (about 150 grams) white granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon miso paste
• ½ tablespoon clear pandan extract
• ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 ⅓ cups (about 160 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

For the pink buttercream frosting:

• ½ cup (about 113 grams/1 stick)unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup (about 100 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• ½ tablespoon clear pandan extract
• ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon miso paste
• Dragon fruit juice/powder or drop of red food coloring, optional

Optional toppings:

• Dish of white granulated sugar, optional (for coating the heart frosting)
• Sprinkles of your choice

Instructions

For the cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature.
3. To the same bowl, add the granulated sugar, miso paste, extracts, and egg. Mix until smooth and well combined.
4. Gently fold in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir just until combined (avoid overmixing).
5. Using a 2-ounce cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each ball 2–3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
6. Bake until the edges are lightly golden and set, about 8 to 12 minutes.
7. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet until the edges and bottoms are firm, about 20 minutes.

For the frosting:

1. While waiting for the cookies to cool, make the frosting by whipping the unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, extracts, miso paste, and dragon fruit juice/powder (or red food coloring). Whip until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
3. Pipe a heart shape onto each cooled cookie.
4. For a sparkly finish, lightly press the frosting into a dish of white sugar. Enjoy your adorable, sparkling heart cookies!

Variations

1. For a different colored frosting, try using other natural food colorings like purple sweet potato powder, strawberry juice, matcha powder, carrot juice, or turmeric powder.
2. This sugar cookie base is very versatile, so you can also flavor it by adding a touch of black sesame paste or matcha powder.

Recommended Products

Modern Asian Kitchen

Silpat Perfect Cookie Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat, 11-5/8

Modern Asian Baking at Home Cookbook

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