Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Easter Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat that combines soft, buttery cookie dough with vibrant decorations to celebrate the season. Perfect for holiday gatherings, Easter egg hunts, or as a sweet gift for loved ones, these cookies are sure to brighten up any occasion. With their classic sugar cookie flavor and festive designs, they bring a touch of joy to the Easter table. The soft, chewy texture and colorful icing or sprinkles make them visually appealing and a fun treat for kids and adults alike.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, Easter Sugar Cookies are easy to make and customizable to suit any taste. The recipe features simple ingredients, and the cookies can be decorated in countless ways, from pastel-colored icing to fun shapes inspired by Easter. This guide walks you through the process of making these beautiful cookies, offers tips for perfect results, and suggests creative decorating ideas.

Why You’ll Love Easter Sugar Cookies

• Delicious and Buttery Flavor: The base of these cookies is a classic sugar cookie dough that’s rich in butter, creating a soft and slightly crisp texture. Each bite is full of sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
• Customizable Decorating Options: You can decorate these cookies with icing, sprinkles, or even edible glitter. Whether you want simple designs or intricate Easter-themed decorations, the options are endless, making them perfect for any age group.
• Perfect for Easter Celebrations: These cookies are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy during the Easter holiday. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or preparing for an Easter egg hunt, these sugar cookies will add an extra touch of cheer to the festivities.
• Easy to Make: With a straightforward dough and clear instructions, these cookies are easy to prepare, even for beginners. The recipe doesn’t require fancy techniques or equipment—just a few basic tools and ingredients!
• Great for Gift Giving: Package these cookies in gift boxes or treat bags for a personalized Easter gift. The vibrant colors and fun shapes make them a thoughtful and homemade present that anyone will love.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 2 hours (includes chilling time)
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
• Servings: Approximately 24 cookies (depending on size)
• Calories per Serving: Around 120-140 calories per cookie, depending on the size and decorations.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 120-140 kcal
• Fat: 6-8g
• Carbohydrates: 15-18g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 8-10g

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Icing/Decorating:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (pastel colors work great for Easter)
• Sprinkles, edible glitter, or other decorating options (optional)

Special Equipment

While making Easter Sugar Cookies doesn’t require specialized tools, a few pieces of equipment will help ensure smooth preparation and better results:

1. Electric Mixer: Using an electric mixer makes it easier to cream the butter and sugar together, ensuring a smooth dough. While you can mix by hand, a mixer helps achieve the right consistency with minimal effort.
2. Rolling Pin: A rolling pin is essential for rolling out the dough to an even thickness. If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can use a wine bottle or any smooth, cylindrical object.
3. Cookie Cutters: For Easter-themed cookies, you can use cookie cutters in fun shapes like bunnies, eggs, flowers, or chicks. These cutters help create festive designs with minimal effort.
4. Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats helps prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan and ensures even baking.
5. Cooling Rack: After baking, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to let them cool completely before decorating. This helps prevent them from becoming soggy and gives them time to firm up.
6. Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key to the success of this recipe. Using standard measuring cups and spoons ensures the right ratio of ingredients for perfectly balanced cookies.
7. Shallow Bowls or Containers for Icing: Small, shallow bowls work best for mixing and dipping the icing for easy application on the cookies.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat the mixture until it’s light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is important because it helps incorporate air into the dough, ensuring your cookies are soft and chewy.

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, and continue mixing until fully combined. The egg acts as a binding agent and helps the dough hold together, while the vanilla extract adds a rich flavor.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The baking powder ensures that the cookies rise slightly, giving them a soft and tender texture. The salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause the cookies to become tough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but it should hold its shape when pressed.

3. Chill the Dough

Once the dough is mixed, shape it into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Chilling the dough is an essential step because it helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and makes the dough easier to roll out. The cool temperature firms up the fat in the dough, which prevents spreading during baking.

4. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets

While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure they bake evenly. If you don’t have these materials, lightly grease the baking sheets with cooking spray or butter.

5. Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness using a rolling pin. Be sure to dust your rolling pin with flour to prevent the dough from sticking.

Using cookie cutters, cut out the shapes of your choice. Easter-themed cutters such as bunnies, eggs, and flowers are perfect for this occasion. Place the cut-out dough shapes onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart to allow for even baking.

6. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Keep a close eye on them, as sugar cookies can burn quickly. If you prefer a softer cookie, bake for a minute or two less.

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. After they’ve cooled slightly, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and texture.

7. Make the Icing

While the cookies are cooling, make the icing for decorating. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread easily. If the icing is too thick, add a small amount of milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

If you’d like to create multiple colors, divide the icing into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each one. Pastel colors work beautifully for Easter, such as light pink, yellow, lavender, and mint green.

8. Decorate the Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, use a spoon or a piping bag to apply the icing to the cookies. You can decorate them with simple designs, such as a light coating of icing with sprinkles, or get more intricate by piping different patterns and designs. Add edible glitter or nonpareils for extra sparkle and fun!

If you’re using multiple colors, let each layer of icing dry slightly before applying the next color to avoid mixing the shades. You can also add candy decorations, like mini chocolate eggs, for a fun Easter touch.

9. Allow the Icing to Set

Once decorated, let the icing dry and harden at room temperature. This can take about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how thick the icing is. Avoid stacking the cookies until the icing has fully set to prevent smudging.

10. Serve and Enjoy

Once the icing has set, your Easter Sugar Cookies are ready to serve! Enjoy them as a treat at your Easter celebration, or package them up in treat bags or gift boxes for a sweet homemade gift. These cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holiday season.

Tips for Perfect Easter Sugar Cookies

• Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! This is crucial for keeping the cookies from spreading too much and ensuring they hold their shape.
• Roll Evenly: Make sure the dough is rolled out evenly to ensure the cookies bake uniformly. You can use a rolling pin with adjustable rings to help maintain the same thickness.
• Customize Your Shapes: Don’t limit yourself to traditional shapes. You can experiment with other fun shapes like Easter baskets, crosses, or carrots to fit the holiday theme.
• Use Royal Icing: For more intricate and detailed decorations, you can use royal icing instead of the simple glaze. Royal icing dries harder and can be piped into more complex designs.
• Add Flavor Variations: If you want to change up the flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract to the dough for a fresh twist on the classic sugar cookie.
• Decorate with Care: If you’re using multiple colors, allow each layer of icing to set before applying the next to prevent them from bleeding into each other.

Variations of Easter Sugar Cookies

• Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add lemon zest and a tablespoon of lemon juice to the dough for a refreshing citrus twist.
• Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookies: After baking and cooling the cookies, dip them in melted chocolate for a rich and indulgent finish. Add sprinkles or crushed candy for extra flair.
• Decorate with Edible Flowers: For a more natural look, decorate your cookies with edible flowers like violets or pansies. These add a touch of elegance and are perfect for spring.
• Sugar Cookies with Jelly Beans: For a fun touch, press jelly beans into the center of each cookie before baking. These will create a colorful and festive look, especially for Easter.

Storage and Shelf Life

Easter Sugar Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. If you’ve used perishable ingredients like cream cheese in the icing, it’s best to store them in the fridge.

For long-term storage, you can freeze these cookies. After baking, allow the cookies to cool completely and then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for about an hour, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave them at room temperature for a few hours before decorating.

Side Dishes and Pairings for Easter Sugar Cookies

Pair your Easter Sugar Cookies with the following for a festive Easter celebration:

• Lemonade or Iced Tea: A refreshing glass of lemonade or iced tea pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the cookies.
• Easter Cake: Serve your cookies alongside a light and airy Easter cake, like a carrot cake or lemon bundt cake, for a sweet dessert spread.
• Fruit Salad: A fresh fruit salad with strawberries, oranges, and kiwi adds a healthy, refreshing contrast to the richness of the sugar cookies.

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Conclusion

Easter Sugar Cookies are a fun and delicious way to celebrate the season. With their soft, buttery texture, simple ingredients, and endless decorating possibilities, these cookies are sure to be a hit at your Easter gatherings. Whether you enjoy them as a treat for yourself or give them as a thoughtful gift, these cookies bring a touch of sweetness and joy to your holiday celebrations.