Bright, colorful, and filled with sweet springtime charm, Easter Cookies are a tradition that brings smiles to every table. There’s nothing quite like gathering around to decorate cookies, sharing laughter, and welcoming the season with a little extra sweetness.
These buttery sugar cookies are tender, lightly crisp, and topped with colorful icing perfect for Easter baskets, brunch spreads, or festive gifting. If you love baking traditions that bring people together, you might also enjoy our Gingerbread Men, another fun and festive project that’s perfect for the holidays.
Fun to decorate and even more fun to eat, homemade Easter Cookies are a joyful way to celebrate the season — and a sweet excuse to get creative with family and friends. And if you’re looking for even more springtime baking inspiration, our Hot Cross Buns offer another delicious taste of tradition.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
- Servings: 24–30 cookies
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract (7.5ml)
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (300g)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (2g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (1g)
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (30–45ml)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
- Food coloring, as desired
How to Make Decorated Easter Cookies
- Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until combined.
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick and cut into Easter shapes.
- Place cookies on lined baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, until just golden at edges.
- Cool completely before decorating with icing and colorful designs.
Handy Tips for Success
- Chill the dough fully to help cookies hold their shape.
- Let baked cookies cool completely before icing to avoid melting.
- Thin the icing slightly with milk for smoother flooding on cookies.
Fun Variations to Try
- Flavor the icing with lemon or almond extract for a twist.
- Use pastel sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle.
- Create marbled icing effects by swirling colors gently.
Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 12g
The Joyful Tradition of Easter Cookies
Decorated cookies have long been a springtime tradition, symbolizing renewal, celebration, and creativity.
From intricately piped royal icing to simple colorful glazes, Easter Cookies bring a playful, handmade spirit to the holiday — and a sweet way to create lasting memories with family and friends.
Best Ways to Serve Easter Cookies
Pile cookies into Easter baskets, wrap them up as party favors, or create a colorful cookie platter for your Easter brunch or picnic.
They’re also perfect for a fun decorating party!
FAQs About Easter Cookies
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes — freeze the shaped, unbaked cookies for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to baking time.
How long do decorated cookies stay fresh?
In an airtight container, they stay fresh for up to 5 days.
What’s the best way to decorate without royal icing?
Use a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk — easy, quick, and delicious.
Final Thoughts
Sweet, colorful, and full of springtime joy, homemade Easter Cookies are a celebration of creativity, community, and simple, delicious fun.
Perfect for sharing — and savoring — with the ones you love.
