Classic Easter Egg Sugar Cookies: A Festive & Delicious Holiday Treat 🥚🍪🎨✨
1. Introduction
Easter is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats, and these Classic Easter Egg Sugar Cookies are a must-have for your holiday dessert table. Whether you’re preparing for an Easter brunch or looking for creative dessert ideas, these soft, buttery cookies decorated with vibrant icing will bring joy to your celebrations. The best part? Decorating them is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy together!
2. Ingredients
Before you begin, gather these simple ingredients for your Easter sugar cookies. Most are pantry staples you probably already have on hand:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (for perfect cookie texture)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (European-style butter works best)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (you can reduce slightly if preferred)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (pure vanilla makes a difference)
- ½ tsp baking powder (helps with slight rise)
- ¼ tsp salt (balances the sweetness)
- Food coloring (pastel shades for Easter – gel colors work best)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional but adds festive fun)
Looking for more baking inspiration? Check out our collection of favorite recipes!
3. Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for the perfect texture. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour (up to 3 days). Chilling prevents spreading and makes rolling easier.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one portion of chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness – too thin and they’ll burn, too thick and they won’t cook evenly. Dip your Easter egg-shaped cookie cutters in flour before each cut to prevent sticking. Carefully transfer the shapes to prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between cookies. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut more cookies until all dough is used.
For more family-friendly recipes beyond desserts, explore our dinner ideas!
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. They’re done when the edges are just beginning to turn golden – the centers should still look slightly underdone as they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and allows them to set properly.
Step 4: Decorate with Icing & Sprinkles
Once completely cooled (this is important – warm cookies will melt the icing), prepare your royal icing according to your favorite recipe or use store-bought decorating icing. Divide into small bowls and tint with pastel food colorings. Use piping bags with small tips or plastic squeeze bottles for decorating. Let kids help with this fun part! Add sprinkles immediately after icing while it’s still wet. For more decorating inspiration, check out this great decorating guide.
4. Tips for Perfect Easter Sugar Cookies
- Chill the dough thoroughly – this prevents spreading and makes rolling easier
- Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing
- Invest in quality food coloring – gel colors provide vibrant hues without thinning the icing
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating to avoid melting icing
- Store in an airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain freshness
- For uniform cookies, use a rolling pin with thickness guides
5. Variations & Add-Ons
Make this Easter sugar cookie recipe your own with these creative twists:
- Add 1 tsp lemon zest or ½ tsp almond extract to the dough for flavor variation
- Use different cookie cutter shapes like bunnies, chicks, or flowers
- Try a cream cheese frosting instead of royal icing for extra richness
- Mix in ½ cup finely chopped nuts for texture
- For adults, brush with edible gold or silver dust for elegant presentation
Looking for more light recipes to balance these sweet treats?
6. Serving Suggestions
These Classic Easter Egg Sugar Cookies are versatile enough for any occasion:
- Package in cellophane bags with ribbon as edible Easter gifts
- Create a cookie decorating station at your Easter brunch or party
- Pair with milk for kids or coffee/tea for adults
- Arrange on an Easter-themed dessert platter with other treats
- Use as place card holders at your Easter dinner table
7. Storage & Shelf Life
Proper storage keeps your Easter sugar cookies fresh:
- Undecorated cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months
- Decorated cookies last 5-7 days in an airtight container at room temperature
- Layer cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking
- For longer storage, freeze decorated cookies (icing may dull slightly)
- Revive slightly stale cookies by warming briefly in the oven
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make gluten-free Easter sugar cookies?
A: Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
Q: How do I get my icing to dry shiny?
A: Add a tiny bit of corn syrup to your royal icing recipe (about 1 tsp per cup) for shine.
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: While possible, butter provides superior flavor and texture. If substituting, use a high-quality margarine with at least 80% fat content.
Q: How far in advance can I decorate the cookies?
A: Decorated cookies keep well for 5-7 days. For best results, decorate 1-2 days before serving.
9. Conclusion
This Classic Easter Egg Sugar Cookie recipe is more than just a dessert – it’s a tradition in the making! From the simple joy of mixing the dough to the creative fun of decorating, these cookies create special memories with every batch. Whether you’re an experienced baker or trying your first baking project, this recipe is sure to become an Easter favorite. The cookies make wonderful gifts, beautiful table decorations, and most importantly, delicious treats that capture the spirit of the season. For more about our kitchen adventures, visit our about page.
Happy baking and Happy Easter! May your holiday be filled with joy, family, and plenty of sweet treats. 🐰🌸🍪
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Classic Easter Egg Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
Classic Easter Egg Sugar Cookies: A Festive & Delicious Holiday Treat 🥚🍪🎨✨ These soft, buttery sugar cookies are decorated with vibrant icing, making them perfect for Easter celebrations. Fun to make and even more delightful to eat, this recipe is a must-try for your holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Food coloring (pastel shades for Easter)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well. Gradually incorporate the flour, baking powder, and salt until a smooth dough forms. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use Easter egg-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the dough. Carefully transfer the shapes to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Once completely cooled, decorate the Easter sugar cookies with royal icing tinted in pastel colors. Add sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle. Let the icing set before serving.
Notes
- Chill the dough to prevent spreading while baking.
- Use high-quality food coloring for vibrant icing.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating to avoid melting icing.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Easter sugar cookies, Easter egg cookies, holiday cookies, decorated sugar cookies, festive Easter treats
