Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies

These Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies are a fun twist on classic sugar cookies, baked with fruity gummy candy mixed right into the dough. The result is a soft, chewy cookie with little bursts of sweet and sour flavor throughout. They’re easy to make and perfect for Valentine’s Day baking with kids, friends, or just for fun.

Yes, my friends, ’tis the season for sweet treats, chocolates, and all things red and pink. I’m excited to kick off another holiday here on IBC with these Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies! (Oh, and be sure to check out more of my Valentine’s Day treats here.)

Valentine’s Day baking always puts me in a playful mood. It’s one of those holidays that invites a little whimsy, a little color, and treats that don’t take themselves too seriously. These are the kinds of recipes I love sharing most, the ones that make people stop and say, wait, really? And then immediately want to try them for themselves.

These Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies are exactly that kind of fun. They’re familiar enough to feel comforting, but different enough to feel exciting. I love recipes that spark curiosity and feel doable at the same time, and this one checks both boxes. Whether you’re baking with kids, surprising someone you love, or just making something cheerful for yourself, these cookies are meant to be enjoyed without overthinking a thing.

Let’s get into the recipe details.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s familiar with a fun twist. At first glance, this looks like a classic soft sugar cookie, but the Sour Patch Kids baked inside give it a playful surprise. The mix of sweet cookie dough and fruity, slightly sour candy is unexpected in the best way.
• Simple ingredients, easy process. There’s nothing complicated or fussy here, which makes these cookies great for casual baking. If you can make a basic sugar cookie dough, you can absolutely make these without stress.
• Soft, chewy, and extra good warm. These cookies stay soft with little pockets of melted gummy candy throughout. They’re especially enjoyable fresh from the oven, but they hold up well once cooled and stored, too, making them great for sharing or gifting.

Ingredients

It’s time to gather up all the ingredients you’ll need to make this Valentine’s Day Cookies.

• Unsalted butter – This adds richness and flavor to the cookie dough and helps create that soft, tender texture once baked.
• Vegetable oil – Oil keeps these cookies extra soft and prevents them from drying out, even after they’ve cooled.
• Granulated sugar – Regular sugar sweetens the dough and helps the cookies spread just enough while baking.
• Confectioners’ sugar – Powdered sugar gives the dough a smoother texture and contributes to the soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel of these cookies.
• Eggs – Eggs bind everything together and give the cookies structure while still keeping them tender.
• Vanilla extract – Vanilla adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness, balancing the fruity candy mixed throughout.
• All-purpose flour – This forms the base of the dough and provides just the right amount of structure for soft, chewy cookies.
• Baking soda – Baking soda helps the cookies rise slightly and keeps them from baking up too dense.
• Cream of tartar – This gives the cookies a subtle tang and helps create that classic soft sugar cookie texture.
• Kosher salt – Salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the dough.
• Sour Patch Kids candy – These fruity, sour candies are the star of the recipe, adding bursts of flavor and a fun surprise in every bite. Heart-shaped candies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, but any variety works just as well.

How to Make

Okay, let’s baked up these Sour Patch Kids Cookies. I’ll still take you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, oil, sugar, and confectioners’ sugar using a hand or stand mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time until smooth; then beat in the vanilla.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and kosher salt. Add all of this to the creamed mixture and mix until almost combined. Then add 2 3/4 cups of the Sour Patch Kids and gently mix to evenly distribute them.

4. Roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball by pressing it with your hand. If desired, add an extra Sour Patch Kid to the top of each cookie.

5. Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.
6. Place cookies on wire racks to cool. Pack and store in an airtight container.

And if you’re wondering, the candy does soften a bit the cookies bake, so you won’t be biting into a hard gummy candy. I especially love these cookies when they are still warm because the candy is extra soft. However, they are equally tasty when cool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Sour Patch Kids melt in the oven?

They soften and get a little gooey, but they do not melt into a puddle like chocolate. Some pieces will partially melt and spread, while others stay more intact, so the texture varies in a fun way, but they do stay soft after baking. If any candy bakes onto the pan, let the cookies cool for a few minutes before moving them so they release more cleanly.

Can I use a different type of gummy candy or a different Sour Patch variety?

Yes, but it helps to choose gummies that are similar in size and texture. Very large gummies can create sticky patches, and very soft gummies can melt more. If you switch candies, chop them into Sour Patch sized pieces and keep the total amount about the same so the dough still bakes up properly.

What’s the best way to store these cookies so they stay soft, and can I freeze them?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and add a slice of bread to the container if you want extra insurance against drying out. For freezing, you can freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers, then thaw at room temperature. You can also freeze the dough balls, then bake from frozen by adding about 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time and keeping an eye on the edges.

More Valentine’s Day Treats You’ll Love

• Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
• Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats
• White Chocolate Chex Mix
• Skillet Cookie Cake
• Red Velvet Popcorn

If you make these cookies, let me know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. I’d appreciate it! 

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Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies

These Sour Patch Kids Valentine’s Day Cookies are a fun, unique, and tasty treat to bake for Valentine’s Day.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookie, cookie recipe, valentine’s day

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 cups Sour Patch Kids* divided

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, oil, sugar, and confectioners’ sugar using a hand or stand mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time until smooth; then beat in the vanilla.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and kosher salt. Add all of this to the creamed mixture and mix until almost combined. Then add 2 3/4 cups of the Sour Patch Kids and gently mix to evenly distribute them.
• Roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball by pressing it with your hand. If desired, add an extra Sour Patch Kid to the top of each cookie.
• Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Place cookies on wire racks to cool. Pack and store in an airtight container.

Notes

*I used the heart-shaped candies for Valentine’s Day, but any variety will work.