Delightful Easter Sugar Cookies (Printable)
Buttery soft sugar cookies decorated with colorful royal icing for Easter spring celebrations.
# 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
# Steps:
01 - Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated.
03 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
04 - Divide dough into two equal portions, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut shapes using Easter-themed cookie cutters.
07 - Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are set but not browned.
08 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool entirely 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 - Portion icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring. Apply icing to cooled cookies, adding sprinkles before icing sets. Allow icing to dry completely before serving or storing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cookies manage to be both tender enough to melt in your mouth and sturdy enough to hold up under enthusiastic decorating
- The dough freezes beautifully so you can bake fresh cookies whenever spring fever strikes or unexpected guests arrive
02 -
- Chilling the dough is nonnegotiable because warm dough will spread and lose those cute Easter shape definitions
- Overmixing once the flour is added creates tough cookies so stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour
- Room temperature butter creates the best texture but do not let it get so soft it is greasy or melting
- Royal icing consistency changes as it sits so keep extra liquid on hand to thin or powdered sugar to thicken as needed
03 -
- Add lemon zest to the dough for a bright spring flavor that cuts through the sweetness
- Place decorated cookies under a clean kitchen towel to keep dust off while the icing dries