INTRODUCTION
Easter Sugar Cookies bring bright color and light flavor to your holiday table. These cookies are soft, sweet, and easy to make. You can shape them into eggs, bunnies, or flowers. Kids love coloring the dough. Adults like how quick they bake and how they make a table look happy.
You can find more ideas for simple sweets in my dessert recipes collection, which shows many quick and fun treats for spring. This recipe uses basic pantry items and only a few steps. It is a good choice if you want a cheery dessert that you can make with family.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love these cookies because they are easy and bright. The dough mixes fast. The shapes bake in ten minutes. You can use food coloring to make many colors. Kids can help press cookie cutters and add sprinkles. The steps are clear and the result looks like a holiday treat. The texture is tender and slightly crisp at the edge.
This cookie idea fits many menus and tastes. If you want more simple choices for the season, see these easy dessert ideas for more inspiration. The cookies pair well with tea, coffee, or a glass of milk. You can also change the look with chocolate eggs or gummy bunnies.
HOW TO MAKE Easter Sugar Cookies
Start by planning your colors and shapes. Use plastic wrap to chill any dough that feels too soft. Work on a clean, floured surface. Keep cookie cutters nearby. Preheat the oven so you can bake as soon as you cut the shapes. This helps the cookies keep a nice edge and not spread too much.
This method is similar to many tried-and-true holiday dessert recipes. The dough is simple, so you can add small flavors like lemon zest or almond extract if you want a slight twist. Use paste food coloring for bright shades without changing the dough texture.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (egg, bunny, and other spring shapes)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Cooling rack
- Small bowls for color work and decorating
Ingredients You’ll Need :
2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 cup of butter, 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, Food coloring, Candy decorations (e.g., chocolate eggs, gummy bunnies), Rainbow sprinkles
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Gradually blend in the flour.
- Divide the dough into portions and color with food coloring as desired.
- Roll out and use cookie cutters to create shapes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with candy decorations and sprinkles.
HOW TO SERVE Easter Sugar Cookies
Serve the cookies on a wide plate or tray so the colors stand out. Arrange the cookies by color or by shape to make a pretty display. You can add fresh flowers or shredded paper grass to the tray for an Easter feel. These cookies sit well with a simple powder sugar dust or a thin glaze.
If you plan a tea or brunch, place small bowls of candy and sprinkles nearby so guests can add their own toppings. These cookies pair well with light fruit, small tarts, or a bowl of fresh berries. For a child-friendly table, include milk or a mild fruit punch.
These cookies also look great near other spring treats and on a dessert table that shows colorful spring desserts.
STORAGE & FREEZING : Easter Sugar Cookies
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you stack them, place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between layers to protect the decorations. For longer life, you can freeze the baked cookies.
To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Move the frozen cookies into a freezer bag or airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
If you need to freeze the dough, wrap it well in plastic and store in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and cutting.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Pair with warm tea, milk, or light coffee.
- Make a themed platter with fruit, small candies, and decorated cookies.
- Use the cookies as place cards by writing names on them with icing.
- Add one cookie to each child’s plate as a take-home treat.
- Use them to top a large trifle or a simple cake for extra color.
Keep the presentation simple to show off the colors. A white plate or a wooden board makes the cookies shine.
VARIATIONS
- Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the dough for a fresh note.
- Almond Twist: Replace vanilla with 1 teaspoon almond extract for a nutty scent.
- Chocolate Marbled: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to a portion of the dough, then twist with plain dough for a marbled look.
- Mini Sandwich Cookies: Make small cookies and sandwich them with jam or chocolate spread.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend and test texture; you may need a touch more flour.
Keep changes small so the dough keeps its tender texture. Test one batch when you try a new idea.
FAQs
Q: Can I use salted butter?
A: Yes. If you use salted butter, leave out any extra salt in the recipe. The cookies will still taste good.
Q: Do I need to chill the dough?
A: Chilling is not required but it helps keep shapes sharp. If the dough is soft, chill for 20–30 minutes before rolling.
Q: How do I get bright colors?
A: Use gel or paste food coloring. It gives bright color with little liquid so the dough stays firm.
Q: Can I freeze the dough pieces before baking?
A: Yes. Cut shapes and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once firm, move them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen adding 1–2 minutes to the time.
Q: What if my cookies spread too much?
A: Chill the cut shapes for 10–15 minutes before baking and make sure you measure the flour correctly. Too little flour makes the dough spread.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Easter Sugar Cookies
Make the dough a day ahead and chill it in the fridge. This makes the work on the day faster. You can also bake the cookies a day ahead, keep them in an airtight box, and add the decorations just before serving. If you need to go farther, freeze baked or unbaked shapes as noted above.
For busy hosts, color and shape the dough the day before and store each color wrapped in plastic. Then roll and cut the night before to keep the task small on the day of the event. For large batches, bake on multiple sheets and cool on racks so you can work in stages.
These tips match what you find on many other handy cookie recipes page guides. Simple prep will keep your day calm and let you enjoy time with family.
Easter Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Gradually blend in the flour.
- Divide the dough into portions and color with food coloring as desired.
- Roll out and use cookie cutters to create shapes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the shaped cookies for 8-10 minutes.
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with candy decorations and sprinkles.