These Easter Egg Sugar Cookies are a fun and festive treat perfect for the holiday! 🐣🌸 They feature a classic buttery sugar cookie base with beautifully swirled pastel royal icing, making them look just like dip-dyed Easter eggs! Perfect for Easter brunch, dessert tables, or gifting, these cookies are as delicious as they are stunning.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Sugar Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

For the Icing:

3 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
Assorted food coloring

Directions

Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, beat the vanilla and egg together.
Mix the Dough: Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and confectioners’ sugar on low speed. Increase to medium and mix until creamy (about 3 minutes). Reduce speed, slowly add the egg mixture, and mix until combined.
Form & Chill: Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, mixing until just combined. Beat until smooth. Divide dough into 2 portions, flatten into squares, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Roll & Cut Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough between two parchment sheets to 1/4-inch thickness. Freeze for 5 minutes. Using an Easter egg cookie cutter, cut out cookies and arrange on lined baking sheets 2 inches apart. Chill before baking.
Bake: Bake cookies for 12 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden brown around the edges. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Icing: Sift confectioners’ sugar into a bowl. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until thick but spreadable. Divide icing into 4 bowls – keep one white and tint the others pastel colors.
Decorate: Drizzle a small amount of colored icing into the white icing and swirl with a toothpick. Dip cookies face-down into the swirled icing, let excess drip off, and smooth with a toothpick if needed. Let cookies set for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrients (Per Cookie)

Calories: ~120
Carbohydrates: ~18g
Protein: ~1g
Fat: ~5g
Saturated Fat: ~3g
Sugar: ~12g
Sodium: ~30mg

Easter is a time of joy, renewal, and of course, delicious treats! One of the most delightful ways to celebrate is with Easter Egg Sugar Cookies. These beautifully decorated cookies capture the essence of the holiday with their pastel swirls and buttery texture. Perfect for Easter brunch, dessert tables, or as homemade gifts, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat.

The Tradition of Easter Cookies

Baking cookies for Easter is a tradition that has been enjoyed for generations. Sugar cookies, in particular, have become a staple for many households during the holiday season. Their mild sweetness and soft yet slightly crisp texture make them an ideal base for vibrant and artistic decorations. The Easter egg shape is symbolic of new life and rebirth, making these cookies even more fitting for the occasion.

Decorated sugar cookies have roots in European baking traditions, where they were often used to celebrate festive events. Over time, the tradition spread across the world, and Easter-themed cookies became a beloved staple in many homes. Today, these cookies not only serve as a delicious treat but also as an opportunity for creative expression in the kitchen.

What Makes These Cookies Special?

These Easter Egg Sugar Cookies stand out due to their combination of buttery richness and elegant royal icing decorations. Unlike store-bought cookies, homemade sugar cookies allow for complete customization in flavor, texture, and design. The swirled pastel icing mimics the appearance of dip-dyed Easter eggs, adding a playful and festive touch.

The secret to achieving a perfect sugar cookie lies in balancing the ingredients and following precise baking techniques. The dough is rich yet tender, providing just the right amount of chew. Chilling the dough before rolling it out ensures that the cookies hold their shape during baking, creating the perfect canvas for decoration.

The Importance of Royal Icing

Royal icing is an essential component of these Easter Egg Sugar Cookies. Unlike buttercream or glaze, royal icing hardens as it dries, allowing the cookies to be stacked and stored without smudging the decoration. This icing is made with simple ingredients like confectioners’ sugar and milk, yet it has the perfect consistency for dipping and decorating.

One of the most exciting aspects of decorating these cookies is creating the signature swirl effect. By mixing pastel-colored icing with a toothpick, you can achieve a marbled look reminiscent of traditional Easter egg designs. The colors blend seamlessly, making each cookie unique and visually stunning.

Baking Tips for the Best Sugar Cookies

Use Quality Ingredients: The best sugar cookies start with high-quality butter, fresh eggs, and pure vanilla extract. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients ensures a rich flavor and perfect texture.
Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for at least three hours (or overnight) prevents spreading during baking, ensuring that the cookies maintain their intended shape.
Roll Evenly: Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper helps achieve an even thickness, which ensures uniform baking.
Prevent Overbaking: Sugar cookies should be baked until the edges are just turning golden brown. Overbaking can make them too crunchy instead of maintaining a soft, chewy center.
Decorate with Patience: Allow cookies to cool completely before applying icing. This prevents melting and ensures a clean, professional finish.

Fun Decorating Ideas

Decorating Easter Egg Sugar Cookies is a fun activity for both kids and adults. Here are a few creative decorating ideas:

Marbled Swirls: Use multiple pastel food colorings and swirl them together in the icing for a marbleized effect.
Polka Dots: After dipping the cookies, add small dots of contrasting icing and swirl them lightly with a toothpick.
Gold Accents: Use edible gold dust or sprinkles to add a touch of elegance to your cookies.
Floral Designs: Pipe delicate flowers or vines using a piping bag with a fine tip for a detailed look.
Sprinkle Fun: Add festive Easter-themed sprinkles on top before the icing sets for a textured finish.

Perfect Pairings for Easter Egg Sugar Cookies

These cookies pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages and desserts. Some great pairings include:

Tea and Coffee: The buttery sweetness of the cookies pairs well with a hot cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee.
Milk: A classic pairing that enhances the creamy texture of the cookies.
Fruit Platters: The refreshing taste of berries and citrus fruits provides a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the cookies.
Chocolate Treats: Serve alongside chocolate eggs or chocolate-dipped strawberries for an indulgent Easter dessert spread.

Storing and Gifting Your Easter Egg Sugar Cookies

These cookies make excellent gifts for friends and family during the Easter season. To keep them fresh and presentable, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the cookies (without icing) for up to a month. Simply thaw and decorate when ready to serve.

For gifting, consider packaging the cookies in decorative Easter-themed boxes or clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons. Adding a personalized note or a small tag with a festive message makes the gift even more special.

Why You Should Make These Easter Egg Sugar Cookies

Baking and decorating Easter Egg Sugar Cookies is more than just making a dessert—it’s about creating cherished memories with loved ones. Whether you’re baking with children, hosting an Easter gathering, or simply enjoying the art of cookie decorating, these cookies bring joy and festivity to any celebration.

The combination of a buttery sugar cookie base and beautifully swirled royal icing makes this recipe a standout. Not only do these cookies taste amazing, but they also add a festive touch to any Easter table. Plus, they offer endless creative possibilities, making them a fun and interactive baking experience.

Conclusion

Easter Egg Sugar Cookies are a delightful and visually stunning treat that captures the spirit of the holiday. Their soft, buttery texture combined with beautifully swirled icing makes them a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Whether served at Easter brunch, gifted to loved ones, or enjoyed as an afternoon treat, these cookies bring a sense of celebration to any occasion.

With simple ingredients, easy techniques, and endless decorating possibilities, making these cookies is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. So gather your ingredients, get creative with your decorations, and enjoy the festive charm of homemade Easter Egg Sugar Cookies!

0 Shares