Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe

Get ready to embrace the spirit of spring with these delightful Easter Sugar Cookies! These sweet treats are not just a feast for your taste buds, but also a joy to make and decorate. Perfect for family gatherings, Easter baskets, or simply to brighten up your day, these cookies are sure to bring smiles all around.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Festive Fun: These cookies are perfect for celebrating Easter and springtime.
  • Customizable: Let your creativity shine with various pastel icings and sprinkles.
  • Family-Friendly: A great activity to involve kids in holiday baking.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dough or bake the cookies in advance for easy decorating later.

Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need

For the Cookies:

  • Sugar (for sweetness and texture)
  • Butter (for richness and flavor)
  • Eggs (for binding and structure)
  • Milk (for moisture)
  • Vanilla extract (for flavor)
  • Flour (the base of our cookies)
  • Baking powder (for leavening)
  • Salt (to enhance flavors)

For the Icing:

  • Powdered sugar (the base of our icing)
  • Milk (to achieve the right consistency)
  • Vanilla (for flavor)
  • Food coloring (to create festive colors)
  • Sprinkles (for decoration)

Note: Youโ€™ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

  • Shape It Up: Use Easter-themed cookie cutters for fun shapes like eggs, bunnies, or chicks.
  • Flavor Twist: Add a hint of lemon or almond extract to the dough for a different flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Loverโ€™s Dream: Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate instead of icing.
  • Healthier Option: Substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour.

How to Make Easter Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Cream butter and sugar, then mix in eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to form the dough.

Step 2: Shape and Bake

Roll dough into balls, flatten, and bake until lightly golden.

Step 3: Cool and Decorate

Let cookies cool completely before icing and decorating with sprinkles.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Chill the dough for easier handling if it feels too soft.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture.
  • Donโ€™t overbake โ€“ cookies will continue to set as they cool.
  • Let icing set completely before stacking or storing cookies.

How to Serve

Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe

These Easter Sugar Cookies are perfect for:

  • Arranging on a festive platter for Easter brunch
  • Packaging in clear bags as party favors
  • Including in Easter baskets for a homemade touch
  • Serving with a glass of milk or a cup of tea

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Freezing

Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw before icing.

Make Ahead

Prepare dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure it contains xanthan gum for the right texture.

How can I make sure my cookies donโ€™t spread too much?
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While butter provides the best flavor, margarine can be used as a substitute. Keep in mind it may affect the texture slightly.

How long does the icing take to set?
The icing typically sets within 2-3 hours at room temperature, but you can speed up the process by placing the cookies in the refrigerator.

These Easter Sugar Cookies are more than just a treat โ€“ theyโ€™re a canvas for your creativity and a delicious way to celebrate the season. Whether youโ€™re a baking pro or a kitchen novice, this recipe is sure to bring joy and sweetness to your Easter festivities. So grab your mixing bowl and letโ€™s get baking!

Print
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Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe

Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 9 minutes
  • Total Time: 39 minutes
  • Yield: 30 cookies 1x
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delightful Easter Sugar Cookies with a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, decorated with colorful icing and festive sprinkles. These cookies are an ideal treat for Easter celebrations or spring-themed gatherings.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Cookie Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2/3 cup butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Icing Ingredients:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3โ€“4 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Green, pink, yellow, and blue food coloring
  • Sprinkles of your choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350ยบF. This ensures that the oven is at the correct temperature when youโ€™re ready to bake the cookies, resulting in even baking.
  2. Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking to the sheet and makes for easy cleanup.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together using a hand mixer. This process incorporates air into the mixture, creating a light and fluffy base for your cookies.
  4. Add wet ingredients: Add egg, milk, and vanilla to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix again until smooth. These ingredients provide moisture and flavor to the cookies.
  5. Incorporate dry ingredients: Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until a dough forms. The dry ingredients give structure to the cookies and help them rise.
  6. Form cookie balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. This ensures uniform size and even baking.
  7. Flatten cookies: Using a glass dipped in flour, press each dough ball down until it is about 1/2-inch thick. This step creates the classic sugar cookie shape.
  8. Bake cookies: Bake for 9 minutes or until the tops begin to brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
  9. Cool cookies: Allow cookies to cool completely before icing. This prevents the icing from melting and sliding off the cookies.
  10. Prepare icing: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together. Adjust consistency as needed by adding more milk or powdered sugar.
  11. Color icing: Split icing between 4 small bowls. Add 2 drops of colored food coloring to each bowl, creating 4 different colored icings.
  12. Ice cookies: Dip cooled cookies into the icing, covering the surface evenly.
  13. Add sprinkles: Immediately add sprinkles of your choice to the iced cookies before the icing sets.
  14. Set and serve: Allow icing to harden completely before serving or storing the cookies.

Notes

  • For best results, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and cutting.
  • Use cookie cutters in Easter shapes like eggs, bunnies, or chicks for a festive touch.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 75mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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