If you’re looking to add a delightful, festive touch to your Easter celebrations, the Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe is an absolute must-try. These cookies are not only soft and buttery but also come alive with beautifully decorated royal icing that makes each bite as joyful as the season itself. Whether you’re crafting them with little ones or preparing a stunning platter to wow your guests, this recipe delivers classic flavors paired with eye-catching pastel hues, making your Easter truly sweet and memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these charming Easter treats. Each component plays an essential role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that irresistible festive look.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy but tender base for the cookies.
- ¾ tsp baking powder: Helps the dough rise just enough for a light texture.
- ¼ tsp salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors in the cookie.
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich creaminess and softness.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens and contributes to the cookie’s slight crisp edges.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with warm, familiar flavor.
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle nutty depth, perfect for an extra layer of flavor.
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for royal icing): The backbone of smooth, sweet icing with a perfect sheen.
- 2 tbsp meringue powder (for royal icing): Stabilizes the icing and helps it dry nicely.
- 5–6 tbsp warm water (for royal icing): Adjusts icing consistency for piping and flooding.
- Gel food coloring (optional): Brings your Easter designs to life with vibrant, not watery, colors.
How to Make Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl—this ensures even distribution for perfectly textured cookies. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which is key to that tender crumb. Next, beat in the egg along with vanilla and almond extract to give your dough a wonderful depth of flavor.
Step 2: Combine and Chill
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Divide it in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least one hour to make rolling out easier and to develop flavor.
Step 3: Roll Out and Cut Shapes
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use Easter-themed cookie cutters to create delightful shapes that are perfect for decorating.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Place cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a soft golden color. Removing them at the right moment keeps the cookies tender and chewy rather than crunchy.
Step 5: Prepare the Royal Icing
While the cookies cool completely, mix the powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl. Add warm water a tablespoon at a time, blending with a hand mixer on low until the icing holds stiff peaks. Divide and color your icing as desired using gel food coloring to keep it thick and vibrant—this icing is key to achieving the beautiful designs that make this Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe so special.
Step 6: Decorate the Cookies
Use thicker royal icing to outline your cookies, then thin the icing slightly for flooding the areas inside the outlines. Take your time and enjoy this creative step—each cookie is a little canvas of Easter joy. Allow your decorated masterpieces to dry uncovered for several hours or overnight so the icing sets hard and smooth.
How to Serve Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your already dazzling cookies with simple garnishes like edible glitter, pastel-colored sprinkles, or tiny sugar pearls. These little touches add a hint of sparkle and extra festive charm, making your cookies stand out even more on the Easter table.
Side Dishes
Pair your Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe with a refreshing springtime beverage such as lavender lemonade or a soft chamomile tea. The light floral notes complement the sweetness nicely and keep the overall experience balanced and enjoyable for your guests.
Creative Ways to Present
For a truly enchanting Easter display, arrange your decorated cookies in a pretty basket lined with pastel tissue paper or on a tiered dessert stand. You can also tie individual cookies with colorful ribbons as charming guest favors. Presentation is everything when it comes to celebrations, and these cookies are a natural star!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe cookies will keep beautifully if stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure the icing is fully dry before stacking to avoid smudging your delicate designs.
Freezing
You can freeze the plain baked cookies before icing by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to use, thaw completely and then decorate with royal icing. Alternatively, fully decorated cookies can be frozen in a single layer; just allow them to thaw gently to preserve the icing’s texture.
Reheating
Reheating is generally not necessary for these cookies since they are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer them slightly warm, gently warm individual cookies for just a few seconds in the microwave, but be cautious not to melt the royal icing.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond extract if I’m allergic?
Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and can be left out or replaced with more vanilla extract to keep the flavor profile rich without any risk of allergy.
How do I get my royal icing to the right consistency?
The key is to add warm water gradually and mix well. Thicker icing holds its shape for outlines, while thinning it out slightly with more water creates the smooth, floodable icing perfect for filling in your cookie designs.
What’s the best way to store decorated cookies?
Once fully dry, store decorated cookies in a single layer within an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp and the icing intact for several days.
Can kids help with this Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe?
Definitely! Kids love cutting out fun shapes and decorating with colorful icing. Just supervise when baking and help with the royal icing preparation to keep things safe and enjoyable.
How long do these cookies last?
When stored properly at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and delicious for about 5 days. Beyond that, their texture might start to change, so it’s best to enjoy them relatively soon after baking.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about making and sharing the Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe. From the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base to the stunning hand-decorated icing, each cookie is a celebration in itself. I encourage you to gather your ingredients, get creative with your designs, and fill your home with the sweet scents and joyful spirit that only freshly baked cookies can bring. Happy baking and even happier Easter!
Print
Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, buttery sugar cookies are cut into festive shapes and decorated with smooth, colorful royal icing for a delightful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
Royal Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 5–6 tbsp warm water
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into Easter-themed shapes using cookie cutters.
- Bake Cookies: Place cutouts on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden.
- Cool Cookies: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Prepare Royal Icing: In a bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time and mix on low speed with a hand mixer until the icing holds stiff peaks.
- Color and Decorate: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add gel food coloring as desired. Use thicker icing for outlines and thinned icing for flooding the cookies. Decorate the cooled cookies accordingly.
- Dry Icing: Allow the decorated cookies to dry uncovered for several hours or overnight to set the icing.
Notes
- For best results, ensure cookies are completely cool before applying royal icing to prevent melting.
- Royal icing can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Use gel food coloring to prevent thinning of the royal icing consistency.
