Delightful Easter Cookies (Print Version)
Buttery, soft sugar cookies shaped and decorated for Easter celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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, 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 - Assorted pastel food coloring
13 - Assorted sprinkles and decorations
# Steps:
01 - Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
03 - Gradually blend dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing just until flour disappears. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
04 - Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to firm for rolling.
05 - Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - Roll chilled dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut shapes using Easter-themed cookie cutters.
07 - Arrange cutouts 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are set but not browned.
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool fully before decorating.
09 - Combine powdered sugar, milk or water, corn syrup, and vanilla or almond extract. Adjust liquid to achieve desired piping consistency.
10 - Portion icing and tint with pastel colors. Decorate cooled cookies; apply sprinkles while icing remains wet. Allow icing to dry completely before serving or storing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dough is forgiving enough for kids to help roll and cut without stress
- That buttery vanilla base pairs with literally any icing colors your heart desires
02 -
- Warm dough is your enemy here, if it gets sticky while rolling just pop it back in the fridge for ten minutes
- Iving consistency matters, for outlining use thicker icing like toothpaste and for flooding thin it to honey
03 -
- Rotate your baking sheets halfway through for evenly golden cookies
- Add lemon zest to the dough for a bright spring twist that cuts through the sweet