easter sugar cookies with royal icing Recipe
If you’re looking to create a festive and delightful treat that brings joy to spring gatherings, these easter sugar cookies with royal icing are exactly what you need. Soft yet sturdy sugar cookies form the perfect canvas for beautifully piped royal icing, making each cookie a colorful celebration of Easter. Combining classic flavors with charming decorations, this recipe is as much fun to make as it is to eat, and it’s sure to become a treasured tradition for your celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is all it takes to whip up these spectacular cookies. Each one plays an essential role — from the tender crumb of the cookie to the smooth, glossy finish of the royal icing that brings your designs to life.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives your cookies structure and the perfect tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Adds just a touch of lift so your cookies aren’t too dense.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides rich flavor and that essential buttery texture.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a light, crisp edge.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture for chewy softness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth and aromatic depth to the cookie base.
- 4 cups powdered sugar: The key ingredient for silky smooth royal icing.
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder: Gives the royal icing its sturdy, glossy finish.
- 5-7 tablespoons water: Adjusts the icing’s consistency for smooth piping or flooding.
- Food coloring (optional): Brings an array of pastel hues perfect for Easter-themed designs.
How to Make easter sugar cookies with royal icing
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s perfectly preheated when your dough is ready. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for a non-stick surface that also helps cookies bake evenly. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt — this ensures a well-distributed leavening and seasoning base for your cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Take your softened butter and granulated sugar into a large bowl and beat them together until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and pale. This creaming step is crucial because it incorporates air, which leads to a tender and inviting cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat an egg and vanilla extract into your fluffy butter-sugar mixture until everything is combined smoothly. This step brings moisture, flavor, and richness, ensuring every bite is decadent and satisfying.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing carefully until the dough just comes together. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, so keep it gentle for that perfectly tender crumb in your easter sugar cookies with royal icing.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrapping each tightly in plastic wrap. Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is essential because it firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and helping prevent spreading during baking.
Step 6: Roll and Cut
On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of the dough out to about ¼ inch thick. This thickness strikes the sweet spot for cookies that hold their shape without being too thick or too delicate. Use your favorite cookie cutters — think bunnies, eggs, chicks — to create Easter-themed shapes that will look adorable once iced.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Arrange your cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a few inches between each to allow for slight expansion. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack; decorating warm cookies might cause the icing to melt and run.
Step 8: Make the Royal Icing
Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water in a bowl until stiff peaks form. Adjust the water quantity a bit to find your ideal piping consistency — thick enough to hold shape but smooth enough to flow elegantly. This royal icing will dry to a shiny, firm finish that’s perfect for detailed decorating on your easter sugar cookies with royal icing.
Step 9: Color and Decorate
Divide the icing into several small bowls and add your choice of food coloring to create a palette of cheerful Easter shades. Transfer each color into piping bags and let your creativity shine as you outline, fill, and adorn each cookie with whimsical designs. Let them dry completely for a few hours to achieve that classic royal icing finish.
How to Serve easter sugar cookies with royal icing
Garnishes
While the vibrant royal icing is the star, consider sprinkling a few edible glitter accents, tiny sugar pearls, or colorful nonpareils on top before the icing dries for an added touch of sparkle and fun texture. Fresh edible flowers can also elevate the presentation for a special Easter brunch.
Side Dishes
These sweet treats pair beautifully with a light beverage like fragrant chamomile tea, a citrusy lemonade, or even a frothy lavender latte. For an Easter spread, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a simple yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness and create a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your easter sugar cookies with royal icing on pastel-colored platters or nestle them in decorative Easter baskets lined with shredded paper grass. You can even tie individual cookies with pastel ribbons as charming edible favors for guests. Presentation is part of the fun and adds to the festive atmosphere!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer them carefully between sheets of parchment paper to prevent the icing from sticking or smudging. They will stay deliciously soft and flavorful for up to a week.
Freezing
If you want to make your easter sugar cookies with royal icing ahead of time, you can freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen cookies maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh or at room temperature. If you prefer a slightly warm cookie, gently heat them in a low oven (around 300°F) for just a couple of minutes—be careful not to melt or soften the icing too much.
FAQs
Can I use almond extract instead of vanilla in this recipe?
Absolutely! Almond extract is a lovely alternative that adds a nutty aroma to your cookies, pairing nicely with the sweetness of the icing. Just use it sparingly, about half the amount of vanilla, to keep the flavors balanced.
How long does royal icing take to dry completely?
Royal icing typically requires several hours to dry fully, depending on thickness and humidity—usually around 4-6 hours or overnight is best to ensure it’s hard and ready for stacking or packaging.
What if I don’t have meringue powder for the royal icing?
While meringue powder helps stabilize and give the royal icing structure, you could substitute pasteurized egg whites. Just be cautious about food safety and adjust quantities typically following a trusted recipe for royal icing without meringue powder.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix that’s a 1:1 replacement. The texture might be slightly different, but the cookies will still taste delightful when iced with royal icing.
How do I get smooth, professional-looking royal icing decorations?
The key is to use the right icing consistency: a thicker outline and a slightly thinner flood consistency for filling. Use a toothpick or scribe tool to smooth out any air bubbles once you’ve flooded the cookie. Practice and patience make each decorated cookie better than the last!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about making easter sugar cookies with royal icing — from the joyful mixing and rolling to the creative decorating that brings the season to life. Whether you’re sharing these charming treats with family or gifting them to friends, this recipe offers a wonderful way to celebrate Easter with sweetness and style. So go ahead, dive in, and enjoy every delicious moment of this rewarding process!
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easter sugar cookies with royal icing Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: About 24–30 medium-sized cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delightful Easter sugar cookies with royal icing combine a classic buttery cookie base with a smooth, colorful royal icing perfect for festive decorating. They are crisp on the edges, tender inside, and ideal for celebrating Easter or any special occasion with personalized designs.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Royal Icing
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5–7 tablespoons water (adjust as needed for desired consistency)
- Food coloring, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the creamed butter and sugar mixture.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up for easier rolling and cutting.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes suitable for Easter themes.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges appear lightly golden but the centers remain pale.
- Cool Cookies: Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely before decorating.
- Prepare Royal Icing: In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Adjust water quantity between 5 and 7 tablespoons to achieve desired icing consistency.
- Color Icing: Divide the royal icing into separate bowls and add food coloring as preferred. Transfer each colored icing to piping bags for decorating.
- Decorate Cookies: Use piping bags to decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing, creating intricate or simple Easter-themed designs.
- Dry Icing: Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely at room temperature, which may take several hours to ensure the icing is fully set.
- Serve or Store: Once dry, serve the cookies or store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and to maintain cookie shape during baking.
- Adjust water carefully when mixing royal icing; less water yields stiffer icing great for outlines, more water creates flood consistency.
- Store decorated cookies in a cool, dry place inside an airtight container to prevent the icing from melting or becoming sticky.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats for baking to avoid sticking and help with even heat distribution.
- For best decorating results, allow cookies to cool completely before applying royal icing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Easter sugar cookies, royal icing cookies, holiday cookies, decorated sugar cookies, festive dessert
