Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you love transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary with just a bit of butter, sugar, and color, this Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe will absolutely capture your heart! These buttery, tender cookies are easy to shape and even more fun to decorate, making them a festive delight for kids and grownups alike. Whether you use adorable bunny cutters or swirl on clouds of pastel icing, each batch bursts with creativity and joy. This Easter tradition is about more than just baking—it’s about gathering in the kitchen and making sweet memories, one irresistible cookie at a time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity and reliance on every ingredient to create that signature soft texture and rich flavor. Just a handful of pantry staples come together for perfect results—so fresh, so classic, and truly irresistible once decorated!
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Start with quality butter for cookies that are rich and tender, with the perfect amount of spread.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Brings sweetness and aids in that perfectly crisp edge and soft center.
- Large Egg (1): Provides moisture and binds everything together for a smooth, workable dough.
- Vanilla Extract (1½ teaspoons): Adds warmth and brings out the classic sugar cookie aroma we all love.
- Almond Extract (½ teaspoon, optional): Just a hint takes these cookies from ordinary to extra-special with a delicate, nutty whisper.
- All-Purpose Flour (2½ cups): The backbone of the structure—be sure to measure lightly for tender cookies.
- Baking Powder (½ teaspoon): Gives your cookies a gentle lift, ensuring they don’t turn out too flat.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and adds depth to every bite.
- Royal Icing or Buttercream Frosting: Creates a canvas for vivid decorations (either is delicious, so choose your favorite!).
- Food Coloring: Pastel shades make these cookies sing with Easter charm.
- Pastel Sprinkles: Add a pop of fun and texture for a festive look.
- Piping Bags and Tips (optional): For intricate designs or easy icing application—kids love to help with this part!
How to Make Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating the softened butter together with the sugar in a large bowl. Mix until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture—this is where you’re trapping air to give your cookies that irresistible tender crumb. If you have a stand mixer, let it work its magic for a few minutes, but a good old handheld mixer works too. This is the foundation for the Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe, so make sure the butter is truly at room temperature for the dreamiest results.
Step 2: Add the Egg and Extracts
Crack in your egg and add both the vanilla and almond extracts. Mix until everything is silky smooth and beautifully combined. This step infuses the dough with all the delicate flavor undertones that set these cookies apart, and the mix will begin to smell like pure nostalgia—cozy, sweet, and just a little fancy.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, quickly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Blending them first ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed, so every cookie bakes up light and gorgeously golden around the edges. Slowly add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies could turn out tough.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Divide your dough into two even portions and flatten each into a disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour—this is the secret behind sharp, clean cookie cutter shapes, so it’s worth the wait! If you’re in a hurry, pop them into the freezer for 30 minutes instead.
Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼ inch thick—just right for both sturdiness and tenderness. Grab your Easter cookie cutters (eggs, bunnies, chicks… whatever makes you smile) and press out as many shapes as you can. Gently transfer them to the baking sheets. For the cleanest shapes, chill the trays in the fridge for 10 more minutes before baking. Bake 8–10 minutes, until the edges are barely golden—watch closely, as a minute makes all the difference! Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Step 6: Decorate with Joy
This is the fun part! Once cool, the cookies are a blank canvas for your creativity. Mix up pastel shades of royal icing or buttercream frosting and use piping bags for artful designs. For a quicker method, spread frosting with the back of a spoon and sprinkle colored sugars or festive sprinkles for that extra sparkle. It’s a perfect family activity and a wonderful way to celebrate the Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe tradition.
How to Serve Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A pinch of pastel sprinkles or a dusting of edible glitter turns every cookie into a work of art. For a special touch, add pearl candy beads or tiny flower shapes atop your icing before it sets. These garnishes not only add color and crunch but also make each Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe creation feel one-of-a-kind and party-ready.
Side Dishes
The sweet simplicity of these cookies pairs beautifully with a spread of spring treats. Serve them alongside a bowl of fresh berries, a creamy lemon mousse, or a big pitcher of homemade lemonade. If you’re making an Easter brunch, these cookies are the perfect finish after a savory quiche or fruit salad—kids (and kids at heart) will always make a little room for dessert!
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your cookies into a delightful centerpiece by arranging them on a tiered platter or a pastel cake stand. If you’re gifting them, package your Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe masterpieces in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons, or tuck them into decorative boxes lined with tissue paper. Around the table, place a cookie at each spot as a sweet place card holder, or create a cookie decorating station at your next gathering for a fun twist everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Layer them with sheets of parchment paper to protect delicate icing and prevent sticking. These cookies stay delightfully soft and flavorful, perfect for snacking or an after-school treat.
Freezing
Both the unbaked cookie dough and finished, unfrosted cookies freeze wonderfully. Wrap dough discs tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag, labeling with the date. For baked cookies, cool completely and freeze in a container with parchment between layers. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature, then decorate as usual—this is a fantastic way to get ahead for busy holiday weeks!
Reheating
If you want to bring out that fresh-from-the-oven aroma, warm plain cookies in a 300°F oven for just 2–3 minutes. Avoid reheating decorated cookies, as icing will melt. Instead, let your frozen, iced cookies come to room temperature naturally on the counter for the best flavor and texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond extract?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of almond extract or have allergies, simply leave it out or replace with a touch more vanilla. The Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe will still be perfectly delicious, just with a more classic vanilla profile.
How thick should I roll the dough?
A thickness of about 1/4 inch is just right—this gives the cookies a slightly soft center with sturdy edges that hold their shape, especially important for detailed Easter cutters.
What’s the difference between royal icing and buttercream?
Royal icing dries hard and shiny, making it ideal for intricate designs and stacking in gift boxes. Buttercream stays softer and is easier for spreading and quick decorating, which kids often love. You can’t go wrong with either for this Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made up to three days in advance and stored in the fridge, tightly wrapped. You can also freeze the dough for up to three months—ideal for planning ahead and reducing holiday stress.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before cutting out shapes, and again after arranging on the baking sheet, is the top trick. This keeps your Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe creations crisp and true to their adorable designs.
Final Thoughts
This Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a celebration of creativity and tradition that brings people together. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned baker, don’t hesitate to gather your favorite sprinkles and loved ones—it’s time to whip up some magic and share the joy of homemade cookies this Easter!
Print
Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies (depending on size) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your family and friends with these festive Easter Sugar Cookies. Soft, buttery cookies decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Decorating:
- Royal icing or buttercream frosting
- Food coloring
- Pastel sprinkles
- Piping bags and tips (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Ingredients: Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine and Chill: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, forming a dough. Chill in discs for 1 hour.
- Roll and Cut: Preheat oven, roll out dough, cut shapes, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and Decorate: Cool cookies, then decorate with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar.
Notes
- Chill cut-out cookies before baking for clean shapes.
- Royal icing for detailed finish, buttercream for easier decorating with kids.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
