Easter Sugar Cookies

Easter Sugar Cookies are festive, colorful treats that are perfect for celebrating the holiday. These soft, buttery cookies are easy to roll out and cut into fun spring shapes like bunnies, eggs, and flowers, then decorated with vibrant royal icing or sprinkles for a beautiful finish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are soft, tender, and hold their shape perfectly after baking, making them ideal for decorating. The dough is easy to work with, and the cookies have a classic, buttery vanilla flavor that everyone loves. They’re perfect for kids’ decorating parties, holiday dessert tables, or as sweet homemade gifts.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter (softened)
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional)
• Royal icing or buttercream frosting (for decorating)
• Food coloring
• Sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
5. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Cut into desired Easter shapes with cookie cutters and place on prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just barely golden.
10. Let cool completely before decorating with icing and sprinkles.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: 1 hour
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Add lemon or orange zest to the dough for a citrusy flavor.
• Use different colored icing to create pastel Easter designs.
• Make sandwich cookies by spreading jam or frosting between two cookies.
• Flavor the dough with a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced twist.
• Decorate with edible glitter or gold leaf for a more elegant look.

Storage/Reheating

Store decorated or undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and decorate once completely thawed.
Reheating is not necessary for sugar cookies.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

How do I keep the cookies from spreading?

Chilling the dough and using cold baking sheets help prevent spreading.

What type of icing is best for decorating?

Royal icing is best for detailed designs, while buttercream is great for a softer, creamier topping.

Can I skip the almond extract?

Yes, you can leave it out if preferred or substitute with more vanilla extract.

How thick should I roll out the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness for the best texture and shape retention.

Can I freeze decorated cookies?

Yes, but be sure the icing is completely dry before freezing and separate layers with parchment paper.

How can I make colorful icing?

Use gel food coloring for vibrant, non-runny colors in your royal icing.

Should I use salted or unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter is best to control the salt content in your cookies.

Can I use natural food coloring?

Yes, natural food colorings made from fruits or vegetables work, though the colors may be softer.

How do I make sure cookies are evenly baked?

Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking and watch closely to prevent overbaking.

Conclusion

Easter Sugar Cookies are a delightful way to celebrate the season with family and friends. Fun to decorate and even more fun to eat, these buttery, festive cookies will brighten up your Easter table and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Whether you enjoy them plain or intricately decorated, they’re a delicious and memorable part of any Easter celebration.

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