Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

There’s just something magical about Easter sugar cookies—whether you’re rolling, cutting, or icing them, the process is as joyful as the final bite. These Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, making them an instant hit for any spring celebration. Add some colorful royal icing and a sprinkle of sprinkles, and you’ve got the prettiest cookies around! Whether you’re baking with the kids or gifting them to friends, these cookies bring all the smiles. Trust me, you’re going to love these—they’re a fun, festive treat for the season!

Why You’ll Love Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

• Sweet & Soft: The sugar cookies are perfectly soft, with just the right balance of sweetness and butteriness.
• Customizable: The royal icing is a blank canvas for all kinds of designs. Let your creativity run wild with pastel shades, adorable Easter-themed shapes, and fun designs!
• Perfect for Easter: Whether you’re hosting an Easter gathering or gifting cookies to loved ones, these cookies are the perfect seasonal treat.
• Great for Decorating: These cookies are fun to decorate—get the kids involved or go all out with intricate designs for a personalized touch.
• Make-Ahead: You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge or even freeze it, so it’s perfect for prepping in advance.

Ingredients

These sugar cookies and royal icing come together beautifully with just a few basic ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookies

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Salt

For the Royal Icing

• Powdered sugar
• Meringue powder
• Water
• Vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional for different colors)

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card above.)

Instructions

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making these beautiful Easter sugar cookies!

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully incorporated.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two discs and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is key to keeping the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies

Once chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use Easter-themed cookie cutters (bunnies, eggs, chicks) to cut out shapes. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake them—they should remain soft and chewy. Once baked, let the cookies cool on a wire rack.

Step 5: Prepare the Royal Icing

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the royal icing. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla extract for flavor and divide the icing into bowls if you want to color it. Use food coloring to create your desired pastel shades.

Step 6: Decorate the Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cooled, it’s time to decorate! Using a piping bag or a squeeze bottle, outline the edges of the cookies with the royal icing. Then, fill in the center with a flood consistency icing, using a toothpick to spread it evenly. If you want to get extra creative, add sprinkles, edible glitter, or more icing details to make your cookies pop.

Step 7: Let the Icing Dry

Allow the royal icing to dry completely. This can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on the thickness of your icing. Once dry, your cookies are ready to be enjoyed!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 24
Calories per serving: 150
Total Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 60mg
Total Carbohydrate: 22g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 16g
Protein: 1g

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

How to Serve Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

• Gift-Worthy: These cookies make fantastic Easter gifts. Wrap them up in a cute box or cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon for a sweet and thoughtful treat.
• Brunch or Dessert: Serve them as part of a spring brunch or as a festive dessert alongside some fruit salad and a glass of lemonade.
• Easter Egg Hunt: Place these cookies in your Easter egg hunt baskets for an edible surprise that everyone will love!

Additional Tips

• Coloring the Icing: For vibrant colors, use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring to avoid thinning the icing.
• Different Consistencies: For outlining, use a stiff consistency royal icing, and for filling in, use a flood consistency (thinner) icing.
• Storage: Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months, and then decorate them when you’re ready to serve.
• Make It a Family Activity: Get the kids involved in the decorating process—they’ll have a blast creating their own Easter cookie masterpieces!

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Q2: Can I use butter substitute or margarine?
A2: While it’s best to use unsalted butter for the best flavor, margarine can be used as a substitute. However, it may slightly alter the texture of the cookies.

Q3: How do I get the royal icing smooth?
A3: To get a smooth surface, use a toothpick to gently spread the icing to the edges after flooding. Let the icing dry for at least 2 hours for the best finish.

Q4: How do I store royal icing cookies?
A4: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Be sure the royal icing is fully dry before stacking them to prevent smudging.

Q5: Can I use a different flavor for the sugar cookies?
A5: Absolutely! You can infuse the dough with lemon zest, almond extract, or even a little cinnamon to give it a unique twist.

Q6: What’s the best way to get smooth royal icing?
A6: Add a tiny bit of water to your royal icing to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. Stir gently to avoid air bubbles.

Q7: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
A7: Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

Q8: Can I freeze the decorated cookies?
A8: While freezing decorated cookies is possible, it’s best to freeze them undecorated and add the royal icing after thawing.

Q9: How long do these cookies stay fresh?
A9: These cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days when stored properly in an airtight container.

Q10: Can I make this with royal icing without meringue powder?
A10: Yes, you can substitute meringue powder with pasteurized egg whites for a similar result. Just make sure the egg whites are safe to consume raw.

Conclusion

These Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are a fun and delicious way to celebrate the season. From their soft, buttery texture to the playful designs, they’re sure to brighten up any gathering. So gather your ingredients, invite the family, and let the cookie decorating begin! Happy Easter!

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