Valentine's Day can feel like a minefield when you're following the Autoimmune Protocol. Every store display screams with heart-shaped treats filled with ingredients you can't have, and the thought of showing up to a Valentine's party empty-handed (or worse, with nothing to eat) stings a little. We get it. That's why we've spent years perfecting our Sugar Cookie Mix to give you back those special moments without compromise.

Here's the truth about AIP cut-out cookies: most recipes turn into crumbly disasters. The lack of gluten, eggs, and traditional binders makes it nearly impossible to roll out dough, cut perfect shapes, and transfer them to a baking sheet without everything falling apart. But our eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Sugar Cookie Mix changes that equation completely.

Why Our Sugar Cookie Mix Works for Valentine's Cut-Outs

The secret is in our flour blend. We use extra-fine tiger nut flour combined with just the right ratio of arrowroot and coconut flour to create a dough that's pliable, rollable, and strong enough to hold intricate shapes. Tiger nut flour brings natural sweetness and a slight caramel note, while the starches provide structure without the gumminess that plagues so many grain-free recipes.

When you're working with our mix, you're not battling against the ingredients. The dough comes together smoothly, chills beautifully, and rolls out to an even thickness without cracking or tearing. These aren't just "good for AIP" cookies. They're genuinely delicious cookies that happen to be AIP-compliant.

The Perfect Valentine's Cut-Out Cookie Recipe

Here's how to make flawless heart-shaped cookies using our Sugar Cookie Mix. This recipe yields about 24 medium-sized cookies, perfect for sharing with loved ones or keeping all to yourself (we won't judge).

What you'll need:

• 1 box eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Sugar Cookie Mix
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil (cooled slightly)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Heart-shaped cookie cutters (various sizes)

Instructions:

Start by combining the wet ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together the coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Pour in the eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Sugar Cookie Mix and stir until a soft dough forms. This should take about 2 minutes of mixing.

Here's the critical step that most people skip: wrap your dough tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Cold dough is the difference between cookies that hold their shape and cookies that spread into unrecognizable blobs. We usually chill ours for an hour.

When you're ready to roll, place your chilled dough between two sheets of parchment paper. This prevents sticking without adding extra flour that could dry out your cookies. Roll to about 1/4 inch thickness, keeping it as even as possible for uniform baking.

Use your heart-shaped cutters to punch out shapes. Here's our pro tip: dip your cookie cutter in arrowroot starch between cuts. This tiny step prevents sticking and gives you cleaner edges. Transfer the cut cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each one.

Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, until the edges just start to turn golden. The centers might look slightly underdone, but they'll firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Frosting Pairings That Make Hearts Sing

Now comes the fun part. Our Cinnawin Cream Frosting Mix pairs with these sugar cookies like it was designed for exactly this moment (spoiler: it kind of was). The warm cinnamon notes complement the subtle sweetness of the cookies without overpowering them.

To make the frosting, you'll need one box of eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Cinnawin Cream Frosting Mix, 1/4 cup softened palm shortening (or coconut cream for a dairy-free version), and 2-3 tablespoons of water or coconut milk. Beat the shortening until fluffy, then gradually add the frosting mix and liquid until you reach a spreadable consistency.

The beautiful thing about our Cinnawin Cream is its versatility. If you want a thicker frosting for piping decorative borders, use less liquid. For a smooth glaze that you can dip cookies into, thin it out with an extra tablespoon of liquid.

Want to get creative? Make two batches and tint one with beet powder for a natural pink color. The earthy sweetness of beets actually complements the cinnamon beautifully. You can create an ombre effect by mixing varying amounts of beet powder into separate bowls of frosting.

AIP-Compliant Decorating Tips

Decorating cookies on AIP requires a little creativity since conventional food coloring often contains artificial dyes and problematic ingredients. But we've found some gorgeous natural alternatives that work beautifully with our eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. products.

For pink and red tones, use beet powder or freeze-dried strawberry powder. Start with just 1/4 teaspoon and add more until you reach your desired shade. For deeper burgundy colors, a tiny pinch of activated charcoal mixed with beet powder creates a rich tone.

If you want white frosting details, our Cinnawin Cream Frosting Mix works straight out of the box. The natural off-white color is perfect for adding contrast to darker cookies or creating delicate piped designs.

Speaking of piping, a simple ziplock bag with the corner snipped off works perfectly if you don't have pastry bags. Fill the bag about halfway with frosting, squeeze out any air bubbles, and snip a small opening. Practice your pressure control on parchment paper first.

Storage and Gifting Ideas

These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you're making them ahead for Valentine's Day, you can bake the cookies up to a week in advance and store them unfrosted. The frosting stays good in the fridge for about a week as well, so you can frost them fresh the day you plan to serve them.

For gifting, these travel beautifully. Stack them in a pretty box with parchment paper between layers, tie it with a ribbon, and you've got a heartfelt gift that shows you care. Your AIP friends will especially appreciate having a treat they can actually enjoy. Check out our variety bundles for gift-ready options.

You can also freeze these cookies (unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before frosting and serving. This means you can make a double batch now and save some for a rainy day when you need a pick-me-up.

Beyond Valentine's Day

While we're focusing on Valentine's Day here, these techniques work year-round. Our Sugar Cookie Mix is perfect for every holiday and celebration. Use flower-shaped cutters in spring, stars for the Fourth of July, leaves for Thanksgiving, or snowflakes for Christmas. The combination of our Sugar Cookie Mix and Cinnawin Cream Frosting becomes your secret weapon for every occasion where you want to feel included and celebratory. Birthday parties, baby showers, office celebrations, or just because it's Tuesday and you deserve something sweet. Check out our full range of baking mixes for more ways to bring joy to your kitchen.

The Bottom Line on AIP Valentine's Treats

You shouldn't have to choose between following your healing protocol and enjoying life's sweet moments. Valentine's Day is about love, connection, and treating yourself and others with kindness. That includes being kind to your body by sticking with foods that support your health.

With eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R.'s Sugar Cookie Mix and Cinnawin Cream Frosting, you get cookies that cut cleanly, bake beautifully, and taste absolutely delicious. No crumbling, no compromising, no feeling left out. Just really good cookies that happen to support your autoimmune healing journey.