Charming Easter Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Recipe

Sweet memories of childhood baking come flooding back with these delightful easter sugar cookies that sparkle with royal icing magic.

Crisp edges and smooth surfaces create a perfect canvas for decorative designs.

Soft butter and delicate sugar blend into a tender dough promising delectable results.

Pastel colors and intricate patterns transform simple ingredients into edible art pieces.

Kids adore helping sprinkle sugary decorations across these festive treats.

Simple techniques turn amateur bakers into cookie decorating champions.

Gather your creativity and let these delightful cookies become your springtime celebration centerpiece.

FAQs

  • What are the key ingredients for Easter Sugar Cookies?

The key ingredients are butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and almond extract, flour, baking powder, salt, powdered sugar, and meringue powder.

  • How difficult are these cookies to make?

These cookies are moderate difficulty, requiring some baking skills like creaming butter, rolling dough, and piping royal icing. Beginners can succeed with patience and practice.

  • Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The decorated cookies can be made 2-3 days before serving.

  • What equipment do I need for these cookies?

You’ll need a mixer, mixing bowls, rolling pin, cookie cutters, parchment paper, baking sheets, piping bags or squeeze bottles, and gel food coloring.

Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Breakdown

  • Craft Festive Treats: Create adorable Easter-themed cookies that capture the holiday spirit with charming shapes and vibrant decorations.
  • Master Baking Skills: Learn professional decorating techniques using royal icing, perfect for developing culinary creativity and impressing family and friends.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Project: Engage children in a fun, interactive cooking experience that encourages creativity and provides quality family bonding time while making delightful seasonal treats.
  • Customizable Design Canvas: Experiment with different colors, patterns, and artistic details to personalize each cookie, making them unique and Instagram-worthy for Easter celebrations.

Ingredients Needed for Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

For the Base:
  • Butter: A rich ingredient that adds flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie structure.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
For the Flavoring:
  • Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with warm and nutty notes.
For the Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cookie, providing the base for the recipe.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, soft texture.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
For the Royal Icing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates the smooth, glossy base for the icing.
  • Meringue Powder: Provides structure and helps the icing set properly.
  • Water: Adjusts the consistency of the royal icing.
For the Decoration:
  • Gel Food Coloring: Allows for vibrant and precise color additions to the royal icing.

Baking Instructions for Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Step 1: Whip Up Cookie Dough

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and cream butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Crack in an egg and splash vanilla and almond extracts, blending until silky smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, creating a delightful cookie dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to let flavors mingle.

Step 2: Shape and Bake Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Dust your countertop with flour and roll out the chilled dough to a thin layer.

Unleash your creativity with adorable Easter-themed cookie cutters:
  • Bunny shapes
  • Chick silhouettes
  • Egg outlines
  • Tulip designs
  • Carrot forms
  • Flower patterns

Transfer cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn a gentle golden hue.

Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Craft Royal Icing Magic

In a mixing bowl, combine:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Meringue powder
  • Water

Whip until the mixture becomes glossy and smooth.

Adjust consistency by adding water or powdered sugar. Divide icing into separate bowls and experiment with gel food coloring to create a vibrant palette.

Step 4: Decorate with Flair

Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to outline cookies with royal icing. Allow the outline to set slightly, then flood the interior with thinned icing.

Get creative with details:
  • Draw bunny faces
  • Add chick beaks
  • Paint tulip petals
  • Create intricate designs

Let the icing dry completely before serving or packaging your Easter masterpiece.

Tips to Nail Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

  • Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain crisp shapes during baking.
  • Adjust royal icing thickness by adding water or powdered sugar gradually to achieve perfect outlining and flooding techniques.
  • Select gel-based colors for vibrant, concentrated hues that won't thin out the royal icing's texture.
  • Keep piping bags and surfaces spotless to prevent color contamination and ensure smooth, professional-looking decorations.
  • Allow cookies to dry at room temperature for several hours, ensuring the royal icing sets perfectly before storing or serving.

Creative Variations for Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

  • Pastel Paradise: Swap traditional colors for soft pastel shades like mint green, lavender, and baby blue for a dreamy Easter cookie collection.
  • Chocolate Bunny Bonanza: Replace sugar cookie base with rich chocolate sugar cookies, using dark cocoa powder in the dough for a decadent chocolate version.
  • Springtime Sprinkle Sensation: Mix colorful spring-themed sprinkles directly into the cookie dough and add a light sprinkle on top of royal icing for extra texture and festive flair.
  • Nutty Crunch Cookies: Incorporate finely chopped almonds or pecans into the cookie dough for a subtle nutty flavor and crunchy texture that complements the sweet royal icing.

Ideal Pairings with Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

  • Brew Delightful Spring Tea Pairing: Lavender earl grey tea complements the sweet sugar cookies with its delicate floral notes and subtle bergamot essence, creating a refreshing springtime experience.
  • Match Creamy Milk Complement: Cold whole milk provides a smooth, rich backdrop that balances the cookie's sweetness, enhancing the buttery vanilla undertones and offering a classic dunking experience.
  • Serve Fruity Beverage Accent: Fresh strawberry-mint spritzer brings a bright, zesty contrast to the sugary cookies, adding a light and refreshing dimension that celebrates spring's vibrant flavors.

Proper Storage for Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Place cooled, decorated cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent icing from cracking.

Wrap unfrosted cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and decorate when ready to serve.

Store completely dried royal icing cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity to prevent softening.

Let frozen or refrigerated cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their original texture and taste.

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Easter Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x
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Description

Delightful Easter Sugar Cookies dance with royal icing’s elegance, bringing spring’s sweet celebration to life. Festive pastel colors and intricate designs invite you to savor these charming treats that promise pure joy in every delectable bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Icing Ingredients:

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons water
  • Gel food coloring (yellow, pink, green, orange, white)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cookie foundation by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
  2. Incorporate the egg along with vanilla and almond extracts, mixing until thoroughly integrated.
  3. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure smooth incorporation.
  4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a cohesive dough without overmixing.
  5. Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a clean surface with light dusting of flour.
  7. Roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness, utilizing Easter-themed cookie cutters to create festive shapes like bunnies, chicks, eggs, and flowers.
  8. Transfer cut shapes onto parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring adequate spacing between cookies.
  9. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges display a delicate golden hue, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  10. Prepare royal icing by whipping powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
  11. Adjust icing texture by incrementally adding water or powdered sugar to reach desired thickness.
  12. Divide icing into separate bowls and introduce gel food coloring to create vibrant Easter palette.
  13. Using piping bags, carefully outline cookie edges with precise, steady strokes.
  14. Allow initial outline to set briefly, then flood interior with slightly thinned icing.
  15. Embellish with intricate details using contrasting colors to create expressive designs.
  16. Allow decorated cookies to dry completely at room temperature before serving or packaging.

Notes

  • Soften butter at room temperature for easier creaming and smoother cookie texture.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant, concentrated colors without altering icing consistency.
  • Work with chilled dough to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
  • Allow icing to dry completely between layers to create clean, professional-looking designs.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 164
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 48 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Protein: 1.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 17 mg

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Nate Harper

Nate Harper

Founder & Recipe Curator

Expertise

Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.

Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.

Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.

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