If you’re searching for a simple, festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat, look no further than this Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are buttery-soft with a delicate crumb, kissed with flavors of vanilla and almond, and perfect for decorating with pastel-colored sugar or sweet icing. Whether shaped as cheerful bunnies, classic eggs, or just simple rounds, this recipe will quickly become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in its fuss-free ingredient list. Each component plays a key role—contributing to the cookies’ rich taste, golden hue, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Here’s what you’ll need, and why:
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for our dough, providing structure and just the right crumb.
- Baking soda: Gives our cookies a bit of lift so they’re light, not dense.
- Baking powder: Works with baking soda to keep the cookies tender and help them rise slightly.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter (softened): For unbeatable richness and that classic sugar cookie flavor—make sure it’s room temperature for easy creaming.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and aids in creating a crisp edge with a soft center.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth; a must for any classic sugar cookie!
- Almond extract (optional): Offers a lovely hint of nuttiness, making the cookies a little extra special.
- Pastel-colored sanding sugar or icing: For decorating and infusing springtime joy—bring on all the cheerful colors!
How to Make Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, ensuring it’s piping hot and ready for perfectly even baking. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this keeps your cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step not only distributes the leaveners evenly, ensuring every cookie puffs up just right, but also prevents any lumps in your dough later on.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This creaming step introduces air into the dough, creating that signature tender texture and helping the cookies rise just enough.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). This not only holds your dough together but gives a wonderful complexity and aroma, making your kitchen smell like absolute heaven.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as you see the dough coming together in a soft, cohesive ball.
Step 6: Shape and Decorate the Cookies
If you like classic round cookies, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. For fun shapes, roll out your dough onto a lightly floured surface and use your favorite Easter-themed cookie cutters. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on your lined sheets. Sprinkle with pastel sanding sugar if you’d like a simple, cheerful finish before baking.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Pop those trays into the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye out: you want just the faintest golden edge, so the centers stay soft and tender. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Decorate as Desired
If you’re planning to ice your cookies, make sure they’re totally cool before you begin. Have fun with colorful royal icing, pastel glazes, or even more sprinkles—let your creativity shine!
How to Serve Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are made for dressing up! Sprinkle still-warm cookies with pastel sanding sugar for a sparkly effect, or let the kids loose with tubes of colored icing and a rainbow of sprinkles. For a bakery-style touch, you can pipe on delicate royal icing details and add edible pearls or glitter dust.
Side Dishes
Easter Sugar Cookies are the perfect sweet add-on to almost anything. Pair them with a big mug of tea, a glass of icy lemonade, or even a fun spring brunch spread. They also make a stunning addition to dessert platters next to lemon bars, carrot cake, or chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons for adorable party favors. Arrange them on a tiered stand for an eye-catching centerpiece, or nestle them in a cute basket filled with colorful tissue paper for a gifting-ready treat that captures the spirit of the season.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the cookies are completely cool, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Layer parchment or wax paper between them to preserve those pretty decorations and prevent sticking.
Freezing
This Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe is freezer-friendly! Store baked cookies in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to two months. You can also freeze the unbaked dough—either as whole discs (for rolling and cutting later) or pre-shaped balls—then bake straight from the freezer with just a minute or two extra on the bake time.
Reheating
Your cookies probably won’t need much reheating, but if you want to refresh them, a quick 5-second zap in the microwave will revive their pillowy texture. Just avoid overheating, as that can make them a bit too soft or melt decorated icing.
FAQs
Can I make this Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to two days in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to roll and bake. Chilling the dough also makes it easier to cut into shapes.
How do I get clean edges when cutting out the cookies?
Chill your dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. Use sharp cookie cutters with a quick, decisive press, and dust the edges of your cutters with flour to prevent sticking.
My cookies spread too much—what happened?
Most likely, the butter was too warm or the dough wasn’t chilled before baking. Next time, pop the baking sheets of cut-out cookies into the fridge for 10 minutes before baking for super-sharp shapes.
Can I use different extracts or add-ins?
Of course! Citrus extracts, a hint of cinnamon, or even a touch of zest can add a unique twist. Mini chocolate chips or festive sprinkles mixed into the dough are fun, too.
Is this Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe suitable for kids?
Absolutely! The hands-on steps are simple, and the decorating is a perfect family activity. Just supervise little ones near the oven, and let their imaginations run wild with the icing and sprinkles.
Final Thoughts
However you decorate or serve them, this Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe is all about celebrating springtime and gathering loved ones in the kitchen. Give it a try, have fun with the decorating, and savor every buttery, sweet, and festive bite—your family will look forward to these cookies year after year!
Print
Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat for the holiday season. With a buttery, tender crumb and a hint of vanilla, these cookies are perfect for decorating with colorful icing or sanding sugar. Whether you shape them with cookie cutters or roll them into simple balls, these cookies are a festive addition to any springtime celebration.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- pastel-colored sanding sugar or icing for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls or roll out and cut with Easter-themed cookie cutters. Place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with sanding sugar if desired. Bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with icing if desired.
Notes
- Chill the dough for cut-out cookies for 30 minutes to prevent sticking.
- These cookies freeze well and can be decorated with royal icing for special occasions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
