Delightful Easter Sugar Cookies (Printable Version)
Buttery soft cookies decorated for Easter celebrations with colorful royal icing and sprinkles.
# 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 to 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:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
03 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
04 - Divide dough in half and shape into flat disks. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
06 - Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut shapes using Easter-themed cookie cutters.
07 - Arrange cutouts on prepared baking sheets 1 inch apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set but not browned.
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
09 - Combine powdered sugar, milk or water, corn syrup, and vanilla or almond extract. Stir until smooth, adjusting liquid to achieve desired consistency.
10 - Divide icing into portions and tint with food coloring. Decorate cooled cookies as desired, adding sprinkles before icing sets. Allow icing to dry completely at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dough is incredibly forgiving and holds its shape beautifully, so your Easter bunnies and eggs look exactly like you imagined
- Kids and adults alike get lost in the decorating magic, turning cookie time into genuine memory making
02 -
- Chilling the dough is mandatory because warm dough spreads into blob shaped disappointments instead of holding those cute Easter outlines
- The royal icing consistency test: drizzle a line back into the bowl and it should disappear completely within 10 seconds for the perfect flood consistency
03 -
- Rotating your baking sheets halfway through baking ensures even browning, especially important for maintaining the integrity of intricate shapes
- Room temperature ingredients are the difference between dough that comes together easily and dough that fights you every step of the way