Easter Basket Sugar Cookies: A Delicious & Festive Recipe

Easter basket sugar cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re edible works of art that capture the joy and spirit of the holiday! Imagine the delight on your loved ones’ faces as they receive these beautifully decorated cookies, each one a miniature masterpiece. But beyond their visual appeal, these cookies hold a special place in our hearts, evoking memories of childhood Easter egg hunts and family gatherings.

Sugar cookies, in general, have a rich history, tracing back to 17th-century Pennsylvania, where German settlers introduced them. Over time, they’ve become a beloved tradition, especially around holidays. What makes Easter basket sugar cookies so irresistible? It’s the perfect combination of a buttery, slightly crisp cookie base, topped with a smooth, sweet icing that allows for endless creativity. The decorating process itself is a fun activity for all ages, making it a wonderful way to bond with family and friends. Plus, who can resist the satisfying crunch and sweet flavor of a perfectly decorated sugar cookie? Get ready to create some Easter magic with this delightful recipe!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the Sugar Cookies:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds a lovely flavor!)
• For the Royal Icing:
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1/2 cup warm water, plus more as needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (various colors for decorating)
• For Decorating:
• Sprinkles (various shapes and colors)
• Edible glitter (optional)
• Candy pearls (optional)

Making the Sugar Cookie Dough

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined so your cookies rise evenly. Set this aside for now.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. You want it to be really light and airy, so don’t rush this step! Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is mixing evenly.
3. Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). The extracts really enhance the flavor of these cookies, so I highly recommend them!
4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Mix until the flour is just incorporated; a few streaks of flour are okay.
5. Divide and Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough is crucial! It prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and makes the dough easier to handle.

Cutting and Baking the Cookies

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
2. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Keep the other disc of dough refrigerated while you work. If the dough is sticking, add a little more flour to your rolling surface.
3. Cut Out Shapes: Use Easter basket cookie cutters (or any other shapes you like!) to cut out cookies. I love using a variety of sizes for a more interesting look.
4. Place on Baking Sheets: Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
5. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn easily. The baking time will depend on the size and thickness of your cookies.
6. Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Make sure they are completely cool before you start decorating.
7. Repeat: Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining dough.

Making the Royal Icing

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder. Sifting the powdered sugar is important to prevent lumps in your icing.
2. Add Water and Extract: Gradually add the warm water, mixing on low speed until combined. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Adjust Consistency: Increase the speed to medium and beat for 5-7 minutes, or until the icing is smooth, glossy, and forms stiff peaks. The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape. If the icing is too thick, add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
4. Divide and Color: Divide the icing into separate bowls, depending on how many colors you want to use. Add gel food coloring to each bowl, a little at a time, until you reach your desired shade. Gel food coloring is best because it won’t change the consistency of the icing as much as liquid food coloring.
5. Prepare Piping Bags: Transfer each color of icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (or use a ziplock bag and snip off a tiny corner). For flooding icing (the thinner icing used to fill in the cookies), you may need to add a little more water to some of the icing to thin it out slightly. The flooding icing should be the consistency of school glue.

Decorating the Easter Basket Sugar Cookies

1. Outline the Cookies: Use a thicker consistency icing to outline the edges of each cookie. This will create a dam to prevent the flooding icing from running off the sides. Let the outline icing dry for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.
2. Flood the Cookies: Use a thinner consistency icing (flooding icing) to fill in the outlined areas of the cookies. Use a toothpick or scribe tool to gently spread the icing and pop any air bubbles.
3. Add Details: While the flooding icing is still wet, add sprinkles, edible glitter, or candy pearls to decorate the cookies. You can also pipe on additional details with the thicker consistency icing, such as basket weaves, flowers, or Easter eggs.
4. Let the Icing Dry Completely: Let the decorated cookies dry completely, at room temperature, for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight. This is important to prevent the icing from smudging.

Tips for Success:

• Use quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cookies will taste.
• Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
• Chill the dough thoroughly: Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
• Use gel food coloring: Gel food coloring won’t change the consistency of the icing as much as liquid food coloring.
• Practice your piping skills: The more you practice, the better your cookies will look.
• Have fun! Decorating sugar cookies is a fun and creative activity.

Storing the Cookies:

Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Conclusion:

So, there you have it! These Easter basket sugar cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a delightful project, a creative outlet, and a guaranteed way to spread some Easter cheer. I truly believe this recipe is a must-try this spring, and here’s why: the cookies themselves are perfectly balanced – sweet, buttery, and with just the right amount of vanilla. The royal icing, once you get the hang of it, is surprisingly forgiving and allows for endless customization. And let’s be honest, who can resist a beautifully decorated cookie that looks as good as it tastes?

But the real magic lies in the details. The woven basket design, while it might seem intimidating at first, is actually quite simple once you break it down. And the little candy eggs nestled inside? Pure perfection! They add a pop of color and a touch of whimsy that will delight both kids and adults alike. Plus, the entire process, from mixing the dough to piping the final details, is incredibly therapeutic. Trust me, you’ll find yourself completely absorbed in the creative process, and the end result will be something you’re truly proud of.

Ready to take your Easter baking to the next level?

Now, let’s talk serving suggestions and variations. These cookies are fantastic on their own, of course, but they also make wonderful additions to Easter baskets, dessert platters, or even as edible place cards at your Easter dinner table. Imagine the smiles on your guests’ faces when they see these adorable little baskets waiting for them! For a fun twist, you could try using different flavored extracts in the dough, like almond or lemon. You could also experiment with different colors of royal icing to create unique and eye-catching designs.

Serving and Variation Ideas:

• Easter Baskets: The obvious choice! These cookies are the perfect addition to any Easter basket, big or small.
• Dessert Platter: Arrange them alongside other Easter treats like mini cheesecakes, chocolate bunnies, and fruit tarts for a stunning dessert display.
• Edible Place Cards: Write each guest’s name on a cookie with royal icing for a personalized touch.
• Cookie Pops: Insert a lollipop stick into the bottom of the cookie before baking for a fun and festive treat.
• Flavor Variations: Add a teaspoon of almond extract or lemon zest to the dough for a different flavor profile.
• Icing Colors: Experiment with different gel food colorings to create a rainbow of icing colors.
• Filling Variations: Instead of candy eggs, try using mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or even edible glitter to fill the baskets.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and put your own spin on these Easter basket sugar cookies! The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. I’m confident that you’ll be thrilled with the results, and your friends and family will be absolutely delighted.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create some Easter magic! I can’t wait to hear about your experience. Please, please, please, try this recipe! And when you do, be sure to share your photos and stories with me. Tag me on social media, leave a comment below, or send me an email. I’m always so inspired by your creativity and I love seeing how you make my recipes your own. Happy baking, and Happy Easter!