The Ultimate Easter Sugar Cookie Recipe

Easter is one of the most joyful holidays, filled with bright colors, sweet treats, and fun family traditions. One of the best ways to celebrate is by making the ultimate Easter sugar cookie recipe. These cookies are perfect for rolling out, cutting into festive shapes, and decorating. They are soft, buttery, and perfectly shaped using Easter themed cookie cutters, making them ideal and perfect for the upcoming holiday! These sugar cookies are not only delicious but also a fantastic way to get creative in the kitchen, and what better way than to do it with your loved ones.

Decorating these Easter sugar cookies with royal icing takes them to the next level. With the right techniques, you can create beautifully detailed designs, from pastel-colored Easter eggs to adorable bunny faces. Using different piping tips allows you to outline, flood, and add intricate details effortlessly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of making and decorating these festive treats so that your Easter cookies turn out bakery-quality every time.

Why You’ll Love This Easter Sugar Cookie Recipe:

• Perfect for Decorating – The dough holds its shape, making it ideal for intricate Easter designs.
• Soft Yet Sturdy – These cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth texture but are firm enough to decorate.
• Great for Gifting – Pack these cookies in festive bags for a thoughtful Easter gift.
• Fun for All Ages – Get the whole family involved in rolling, cutting, and decorating!

Ingredients for the Ultimate Easter Sugar Cookie Recipe:

For the Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 5-6 tablespoons warm water
• Gel food coloring (various colors)

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Step-by-Step Instructions For This Easter Sugar Cookie Recipe:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough forms.

Step 2: Chill and Roll the Dough

1. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 to 2 hour. Chilling helps the dough hold its shape. (Note: If chilling for longer than 2 hours, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes or until slightly softened).
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick. You can roll out to 1/2 inch if you like a thicker cookie. (Note: If rolling out to an 1/2 inch, adjust baking time as needed since the cookies will be thicker).
4. Use Easter-themed cookie cutters (bunnies, eggs, chicks) to cut out shapes, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, placing cookies about 2 to 3 inches apart. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting out the cookies until all the dough is used.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Adjust the bake time if needed. (Note: keep an eye on the cookies. Cookies will slightly brown on the bottom and edges so watch the cookies carefully. Once you see the golden-brown edges began to form, cookies are more than likely ready to come out of the oven).
2. If your oven has hot spots, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the bake time for an even bake.
3. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The royal icing will adhere the best if cookies are completely cooled at room temperature.

Step 4: Make the Royal Icing

1. In a large bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water until smooth.
2. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add gel food coloring as desired.
3. Transfer the icing to piping bags fitted with the appropriate piping tips:
   • Use Tip #2 for outlining the cookies with a thin border.
   • Use Tip #3 or #4 for flooding the cookie with a smooth layer of icing.
   • Use Tip #1 or #1.5 for adding fine details like polka dots, lace, or facial expressions on bunny cookies.

Step 5: Decorate the Sugar Cookies

1. Outline each cookie with a thin border of royal icing using Tip #2 and let it set for a few minutes.
2. Fill in the center with flood icing using Tip #3 or #4, spreading it evenly with a toothpick or scribe tool.
3. Let the base layer dry for about 15-30 minutes before adding additional details.
4. Use Tip #1 or #1.5 to create intricate designs such as polka dots, zigzags, flowers, or facial expressions.
5. Add sprinkles, edible pearls, or shimmer dust for extra decoration.
6. Let the icing dry completely before handling (about 6-8 hours).

Tools You May Need:

Baking Cookie Sheet Pan: https://amzn.to/42cPWJe

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer: https://amzn.to/3E0rT8f

Mixing Bowls Set with Lids: https://amzn.to/3E6qKvK

Silicone Spatula Set: https://amzn.to/4jbYpmQ

Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons Set: https://amzn.to/44148Y8

Cooling Racks for Cooking and Baking: https://amzn.to/4lpznmf

Pure Vanilla Extract: https://amzn.to/43wDTZA

Almond Extract: https://amzn.to/3DY6hcw

Piping Bags: https://amzn.to/4j8nsa7

Piping Tips: https://amzn.to/3RwgxM9

Gel Food Coloring: https://amzn.to/3XAS4cc

Rolling Pin: https://amzn.to/41MKUUK

Silicone Mat: https://amzn.to/4c6gmAO

Parchment Paper: https://amzn.to/3XDELrr

Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer: https://amzn.to/4iaNA3D

Easter Theme Cookie Cutters: https://amzn.to/3E6wq92

Meringue Powder: https://amzn.to/41Qa7Oc

Glass Mixing Bowl Set: https://amzn.to/3FIudkC

General Tips for the Ultimate Easter Sugar Cookie Recipe:

• Use Chilled Dough: This prevents cookies from spreading and helps keep sharp edges.
• Roll Evenly: Use rolling pin guides or a ruler to keep all cookies uniform.
• Thickness of Sugar Cookie Dough: You should aim to roll out the dough to a thickness of around 1/4 to 1/2 inch before using the cookie cutter.
• Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven—they’ll firm up as they cool.
• Let the Icing Dry: Allow the decorated cookies to fully set before stacking or packaging.

Common Questions About Sugar Cookies:

Can I Make the Dough in Advance?

Yes! The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling.

Can I Freeze the Cookies?

Absolutely! Freeze undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating. You can also freeze the cookie dough. Take the dough out of the freezer the day before you want to bake to thaw in the refrigerator.

What’s the Best Way to Store Decorated Cookies?

Store cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Can I Use Buttercream Instead of Royal Icing?

Yes! If you prefer a softer icing, use a thick buttercream instead of royal icing.

Final Thoughts For This Easter Sugar Cookie Recipe:

These Easter themed sugar cookies are a festive and fun treat that everyone will love. It’s a wonderful way to get your kids involved and help out with the decorating process. Whether you decorate them with pastel colors, intricate patterns, or simple sprinkles, they are sure to brighten up your holiday. If you are new to baking and decorating cookies for the first time. Don’t get overwhelmed if your decorating or designs are not perfect. Remember, this whole process is suppose to be fun. This is a wonderful joyful holiday and everything don’t have to be perfect. Just keep trying if you’re new to baking and I promise your baking skills and designs will get better and better. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro!

Try this recipe and let us know—what are your favorite Easter cookie designs?