If you’re on the lookout for a charming and utterly delicious treat to brighten up your holiday table, this Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe is the absolute perfect choice. These soft, buttery cookies provide a simple yet irresistible base that pairs wonderfully with the glossy, sweet royal icing that hardens to a perfect finish. The delicate designs you can create with the icing not only make these cookies a feast for the eyes but also an unforgettable bite of festive joy. Whether you’re baking with kids or impressing guests, this recipe fills your kitchen with warmth and the promise of springtime celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these delightful cookies is easier than you might think since the ingredients are simple but essential. Each one plays an important role, from the tender crumb of the cookie to the smooth, shiny finish of the royal icing, helping you achieve that classic Easter look and taste.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure and lightness to the cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, ensuring they stay soft and tender.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and contributes to a light, airy crumb.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and gives the dough structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, fragrant note that elevates the flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle nutty aroma for a special twist.
- 3 cups powdered sugar: The base for the royal icing, bringing smooth sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder: Ensures the royal icing hardens perfectly for decorating.
- 4–5 tablespoons warm water: Adjusts icing consistency for piping or flooding.
- Gel food coloring (optional): Adds vibrant hues that make each cookie a little edible masterpiece.
How to Make Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl—this dry mix is what gives your cookies their tender crumb. In a separate large bowl, cream your softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Then, beat in the egg followed by vanilla and almond extracts to build the cookie’s rich and aromatic flavor profile.
Step 2: Combine and Chill the Dough
Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until a dough forms. Divide the dough in half and shape each into a disk, which you’ll chill for 30 minutes. This step is crucial for easy rolling and cutting, preventing your cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies
Once chilled, lightly flour your workspace and roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Easter-themed cookie cutters to create charming shapes like bunnies, eggs, and chicks. Carefully transfer these cutouts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced and ready for their time in the oven.
Step 4: Bake Until Perfect
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until their edges are just turning a light golden color. Keep a close eye during the last few minutes – you want them tender, not crisp. Once baked, let the cookies cool completely; this is necessary before decorating with royal icing so the icing doesn’t melt or slide off.
Step 5: Mix the Royal Icing
In a mixing bowl, combine your powdered sugar, meringue powder, and start with 4 tablespoons of warm water. Beat on low speed until the icing turns smooth, glossy, and thickens noticeably—this usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. If you need different consistencies, add more water carefully—thicker icing for outlining the cookies and thinner for flooding the surface. Divide and tint with gel food coloring as desired to make your designs pop.
Step 6: Decorate Your Cookies
Using piping bags or squeeze bottles, unleash your creativity by outlining and flooding cookies with different icing colors. Take your time to add intricate details or simple pastel washes. Once decorated, allow the icing to set for several hours or preferably overnight. This drying period ensures the icing hardens to a lovely, shiny finish ideal for gifting or stacking.
How to Serve Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, lightly dust your iced cookies with edible glitter or sprinkle tiny pastel nonpareils to mimic spring blossoms. Fresh edible flowers like violets or small candied blossoms can add a stunning and natural appeal that complements the sweetness beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these Easter sugar cookies alongside a cup of fragrant herbal tea such as chamomile or peppermint for a relaxing treat. They also pair wonderfully with fresh spring berries or a light fruit salad, balancing the sugary richness with refreshing bursts of natural flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Display your beautifully iced cookies in a festive spring basket lined with pastel tissue paper, or arrange them artistically on a decorated platter with colorful flowers and greenery. For gifting, stack a handful of cookies tied with a satin ribbon and a personalized tag to spread the joy of your Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe beyond your own table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Easter sugar cookies with royal icing stay fresh and delightful when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Make sure the icing is completely dry before sealing to prevent smudging or sticking.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of schedule, freeze the undecorated cookie dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to three months. You can also freeze fully decorated cookies between layers of parchment paper in a sturdy container; just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Since these are best served at room temperature, avoid microwaving. Instead, let the cookies sit out for a short while if pulled from the fridge or freezer to soften slightly and bring out the buttery flavor and crisp-iced texture.
FAQs
Can I use regular egg whites instead of meringue powder for the royal icing?
Yes, you can substitute egg whites for meringue powder, but be sure they are pasteurized and fresh. Meringue powder is often preferred for convenience and food safety, especially when sharing with kids or large groups.
How long does it take for the royal icing to dry completely?
Royal icing typically takes several hours to dry to the touch and ideally overnight to harden fully. The drying time depends on humidity and icing thickness, so plan to let your decorated cookies rest accordingly.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, but results may vary slightly in texture. Adding a binding agent like xanthan gum may help retain that tender softness.
What’s the secret to keeping sugar cookies soft?
Using the right balance of butter and sugar, as well as not overbaking, ensures a tender, slightly chewy cookie. Chilling the dough before baking also prevents spreading and keeps the texture just right.
How do I get smooth icing for flooding?
To achieve smooth royal icing, add water incrementally until the icing runs slowly off a spatula but still holds its shape when pooled on the cookie. Mixing with a hand or stand mixer until glossy ensures no lumps interfere with the finish.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about crafting your own Easter sugar cookies, especially when finished with glossy royal icing that lets your creativity shine through. This Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe brings joy to the kitchen and smiles to the table, making it a festive tradition worth savoring every year. I hope you enjoy baking and decorating these as much as I do—happy Easter and happy baking!
Print
Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus chilling and decorating time)
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate Easter with these delightful Easter Sugar Cookies topped with smooth royal icing. Soft, buttery cookies paired with beautifully decorated, hard-drying icing make these treats perfect for holiday gatherings and festive gifting.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
For the royal icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- 4–5 tbsp warm water
- gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly combine the leavening and seasoning elements.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring a tender cookie texture.
- Add wet ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until fully combined to enhance flavor and binding.
- Form the dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms, avoiding overmixing for a tender crumb.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, then wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up for easier rolling and cutting.
- Roll and cut shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough disk out to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use Easter-themed cookie cutters to cut shapes, then transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through without being overdone.
- Cool the cookies: Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack to ensure the royal icing adheres properly during decorating.
- Make royal icing: In a mixing bowl, beat powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 4 tablespoons warm water on low speed for 5 to 7 minutes until the icing is smooth and glossy. Adjust consistency with additional water as needed for outlining or flooding.
- Color and decorate: Divide the icing into portions and add gel food coloring as desired. Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to decorate the cooled cookies with detailed designs.
- Set the icing: Allow the decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight until the icing is fully set and hard.
- Store properly: Once icing has hardened, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
- Royal icing dries hard and shiny, making it perfect for intricate designs and stacking cookies without smudging.
- Keep cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature; avoid refrigeration to prevent icing from softening.
- For easier decorating, prepare different consistencies of icing: thicker for outlines and details, thinner for flooding large areas.
- Optional almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor that complements the vanilla but can be omitted for allergies or preference.
