Description
Looking for the best Easter sugar cookies recipe? These soft, buttery cookies are easy to make, hold their shape, and are perfect for decorating with royal icing! Follow this step-by-step guide to create festive cookies for Easter parties and holiday treats.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Adds richness and prevents cookies from becoming too dry.
1 cup granulated sugar – Provides sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure.
1 large egg – Binds the ingredients together for a smooth dough.
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract – Enhances flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – The perfect base for a structured yet soft cookie.
1 teaspoon baking powder – Adds slight lift without making the cookies spread.
½ teaspoon salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
For the Frosting:
2 cups powdered sugar – The base for a smooth, glossy royal icing.
2 tablespoons whole milk – Helps thin out the icing for the right consistency.
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (for a shiny finish!) – Keeps icing smooth and glossy.
½ teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds subtle sweetness to the icing.
Pink, purple, and yellow sanding sugar – For a colorful, festive touch.
Pink, purple, and yellow food coloring – To create vibrant pastel shades.
Black food coloring (for bunny details) – Helps create expressive cookie designs.
Instructions
Cream the butter and sugar – In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This process incorporates air, making the cookies soft and tender.Add the wet ingredients – Mix in egg and vanilla extract, blending until fully combined.Combine dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.Mix and form dough – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough forms.
Wrap and refrigerate – Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step is essential for preventing spreading and making the dough easier to roll out.
Roll it out – Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
Use cookie cutters – Cut shapes with bunny-shaped or Easter egg cookie cutters.Bake – Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350degF (175degC) for 8-10 minutes. Look for slightly golden edges.
Cool completely – Allow cookies to cool before decorating.
Prepare royal icing – Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.Color the icing – Divide into bowls and add food coloring for pastel shades.
Frost the cookies – Spread icing over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag.Add decorations – Sprinkle with sanding sugar immediately.Create details – Use black food coloring to add eyes, noses, or whiskers.Let set – Allow the icing to dry for 30 minutes before serving.
Equipment
2Pcs Heart Shape Cake Pans, Aluminum Heart Cake Mold, Reusable 10 inch
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Kids Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box – Included Reusable Ice Pack Keeps Food Cold
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Chill the dough – Prevents spreading and helps cookies keep their shape.Use room-temperature butter – Ensures smooth mixing and prevents lumps.Avoid overmixing – Too much mixing can make cookies tough.Decorate while icing is wet – Sanding sugar sticks best when applied immediately.Let the cookies cool completely – Warm cookies will melt the icing.