Delightful Easter Cookies (Printer-Friendly)
Buttery soft sugar cookies decorated with colorful royal icing and sprinkles. Perfect for Easter celebrations and spring gatherings.
# 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 - Food coloring (assorted pastel colors)
13 - Assorted sprinkles and decorations
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until fluffy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
03 - Gradually add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
04 - Divide dough into two equal portions, flatten into disks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
06 - Roll chilled dough on 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 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Avoid browning.
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack. Cool entirely before decorating.
09 - Combine powdered sugar, milk or water, corn syrup, and vanilla or almond extract. Stir until smooth. Adjust liquid for desired piping consistency.
10 - Divide icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring. Pipe or spread icing onto cooled cookies. Apply sprinkles immediately while icing remains wet. Allow decorations to set completely before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The dough is incredibly forgiving and bakes up tender every single time
- Kids and adults alike get lost in the joy of decorating
- These cookies stay soft for days, making them perfect for sharing
02 -
- Chilling the dough is mandatory. Warm dough spreads into blob cookies.
- Royal icing hardens like cement. Work in small batches and cover bowls when not in use.
03 -
- Rotate your baking sheets halfway through for even browning
- Add lemon zest to the dough for a bright spring twist that everyone notices