Delightful Easter Cookies (Printable View)

Buttery, soft sugar cookies decorated for Easter festivities. Perfect for spring sharing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Royal Icing

08 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
09 - 1 1/2–2 tablespoons milk or water
10 - 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
12 - Food coloring (assorted pastel colors)
13 - Assorted sprinkles and decorations

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly distributed. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
03 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overworking the dough to maintain tenderness.
04 - Divide dough into two equal portions, flatten into disks, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to firm texture.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
06 - Roll chilled dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut shapes using Easter-themed cookie cutters, re-rolling scraps as needed.
07 - Arrange cutouts 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain pale. Avoid overbaking.
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to set structure, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling before decorating.
09 - Combine powdered sugar, milk or water, corn syrup, and extract. Adjust liquid quantity until icing reaches desired spreading consistency.
10 - Portion icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring. Apply icing to cooled cookies and add sprinkles immediately. Allow icing to dry completely at room temperature before stacking.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The dough is incredibly forgiving and soft, making it perfect for little hands to help roll and cut without frustration
  • These cookies taste like pure buttery comfort and the royal icing dries into a smooth professional finish that makes everyone think you spent hours on them
02 -
  • The chilling time is not optional and if you skip it your cookies will lose their shape and turn into blobs in the oven
  • Room temperature butter should still hold its shape and give slightly when pressed, not be soft or greasy
  • When cutting shapes, dip your cutter in flour between each cut to prevent the dough from sticking and distorting the designs
03 -
  • Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking time because most ovens have hot spots that will cause some cookies to brown faster than others
  • Add lemon zest to the dough for a bright spring flavor that cuts through all that sweetness and makes these cookies taste extra special

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