Delightful Easter Cookies (Print Version)
Buttery soft cookies decorated with colorful royal icing and sprinkles for 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
# How-To 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. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
03 - Gradually blend dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing only until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing for tender cookies.
04 - Divide dough into two equal portions, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes.
05 - Set oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
06 - Roll chilled dough on lightly floured surface 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 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk or water, corn syrup, and extract until smooth. Adjust liquid to achieve desired consistency.
10 - Portion icing and tint with food coloring. Decorate cooled cookies; apply sprinkles before icing hardens. Allow icing to dry completely before storing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dough is incredibly forgiving and rolls out beautifully without sticking
- These cookies stay soft for days unlike typical crunchy sugar cookies
02 -
- Chilling the dough is mandatory or your cookies will spread into unrecognizable blobs
- Rolling thickness matters too thin equals brittle cookies too thick means doughy centers
03 -
- Add lemon zest to the dough for a bright spring twist that cuts through the sweetness
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant pastel hues