Description
Festive Easter Sugar Cookies blend nostalgic sweetness with seasonal charm, offering pastel-colored delights that dance between crisp edges and tender centers. Decorated with delicate icing and sprinkled with spring-inspired creativity, these cookies invite celebration and bring joy to family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Sugar and Decoration:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
- Food coloring (pastel colors: pink, yellow, blue, green)
- Easter sprinkles for decoration
Seasoning and Leavening:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the work area by preheating the oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a clean, ready workspace.
- Create the cookie base by thoroughly creaming butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, blending until completely unified.
- Craft the dry mixture separately by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Merge wet and dry components gradually, mixing until a cohesive, soft dough emerges without overworking the mixture.
- Transform the dough by rolling it out on a lightly floured surface to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness, creating an even canvas for cutting.
- Select Easter-themed cookie cutters and carefully stamp out playful shapes like bunnies, eggs, and chicks, transferring each delicate cutout to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching for gentle golden edges that signal perfect doneness. Remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Construct the decorative icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until silky smooth, creating a pristine white base.
- Divide the icing and introduce vibrant food coloring, transforming the mixture into a palette of festive spring hues.
- Embellish the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag, applying intricate designs and patterns with precision.
- Enhance the decoration with a sprinkle of colorful embellishments, adding texture and whimsy to each cookie.
- Allow the icing to set and stabilize, creating a beautiful, professional finish.
- Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container, preserving their freshness for up to 5 days of enjoyment.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain sharp cookie shapes.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
- Adjust baking time based on cookie thickness – thinner cookies need less time to prevent burning.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version without compromising taste.
- Replace vanilla extract with almond or lemon extract for unique flavor variations.
- Pipe intricate designs by using different piping tip sizes for detailed Easter decorations.
- Prevent icing from running by ensuring it’s thick enough – add more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Store decorated cookies in single layers with parchment paper between to protect delicate designs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 179
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg