These conversation heart sugar cookies are pure Valentine’s Day nostalgia wrapped up in a soft, buttery cookie. They’re sweet, colorful, and just a little whimsical—exactly the kind of treat that brings you right back to classroom parties, handwritten notes, and candy-filled February afternoons. With crushed conversation hearts baked right into the dough and an optional dip in white chocolate, these cookies are festive, fun, and impossible not to smile at.

They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day parties, school treats, gift boxes, or a cozy baking afternoon when you want something cheerful and playful. Every cookie is slightly different, speckled with pastel candy bits and sprinkles, making them as pretty as they are delicious. These are the kind of cookies people pick up first on a dessert table—and then come back for seconds.

Tips for Perfect Results

A few simple tips will help your cookies bake up soft and colorful every time.

Crush the conversation hearts well. You want small, crumbly pieces so they distribute evenly through the dough.
Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly. This gives the cookies a soft, tender texture.
Chill the dough. At least an hour in the fridge helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookies thick.
Let the dough rest before baking. A short rest at room temperature ensures even baking.
Don’t overbake. Pull the cookies when the edges are just set—the centers will finish baking as they cool.
Add candy while warm. Pressing extra conversation hearts into the cookies right out of the oven helps them stick without melting.

Before You Begin – Here’s What You’ll Need :

Variations and Serving Ideas

These cookies are easy to customize depending on how festive you want to go.

White chocolate dip: Half-dip the cooled cookies in melted white chocolate for a bakery-style finish.
Extra sparkle: Add Valentine’s sprinkles or sanding sugar to the chocolate before it sets.
Mini cookies: Use a smaller scoop for bite-sized treats—perfect for party platters.
Cookie gifts: Stack and wrap them in clear bags with ribbon for sweet homemade gifts.
Kids’ baking day: Let kids help press candies into the warm cookies for a fun decorating step.

They look especially charming arranged on a pink or white platter with lots of color showing.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These cookies are just as practical as they are festive.

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Make ahead: The dough can be chilled overnight and baked the next day.
Freezing: Freeze baked, undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw and dip in chocolate when ready.
Layering tip: Use parchment between layers to protect the chocolate coating.

Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies

Author: not just recipe

Print Recipe

Instructions

1. Crush the conversation heart cookies in a food processor until they are crumbly.

2. Soften the butter in the microwave for 10-12 seconds. Combine the butter with the sugar and beat on medium speed until well creamed together.

3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until it’s well combined.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Slowly add into batter and beat on medium low speed until well combined and dough starts to form. Add the crusted candies and sprinkles.

4. Use a large cookie scoop and scoop cookie dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 1 hour.

5. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Place the dough about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes prior to baking.

Bake at 350° F 10-12 minutes. Allow cookie to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Optional: Right when the cookies come out of the oven, place a couple of conversation hearts directly into the warm cookies.

7. Optional: To coat with white chocolate, break the chocolate up into smaller pieces and microwave it at 50% power for 30 seconds at a time. Stir the chocolate after each 30 seconds so that it doesn’t burn. Then dip your cooled cookie in the chocolate and tap off the excess chocolate on the side of the bowl. Garnish with sprinkles. Set these on a piece of parchment paper to cool.

Final Encouragement

Conversation heart sugar cookies are the kind of dessert that feels joyful from the moment you make them. They’re soft, colorful, and full of personality—perfect for sharing love in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for kids, friends, or just yourself, these cookies bring a little extra sweetness to the season.

If you’re looking for a Valentine’s treat that’s fun, nostalgic, and totally shareable, these cookies are absolutely worth saving and baking again next year 💕🍪