Description
These Perfect Homemade Easter Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery, and delightfully sweet, making them an ideal treat for the holiday season. Decorated with royal icing, they bring festive charm and classic flavor to your celebrations. The recipe is easy to follow and yields 24 beautifully shaped cookies with a crisp edge and soft center.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2.75 cups All-Purpose Flour (Provides structure and stability.)
- 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar (Essential for sweetness and crispy edges.)
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature (For best results and creamy texture.)
- 2 large Eggs (Bind the ingredients together.)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (Helps the cookies rise.)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring (Enhances the overall taste.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Balances the sweetness.)
Decoration
- Royal Icing, to taste (For decorating the cookies.)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) ensuring even heat for perfectly baked cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy to create a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then incorporate the vanilla flavoring for enhanced aroma and flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to roll and shape.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut out shapes using cookie cutters of your choice.
- Bake: Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them, and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing. Let the icing dry completely before serving to ensure the decorations set properly.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for easy handling and to prevent spreading during baking.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to avoid sticking and promote even baking.
- Customize your cookie shapes and decorations to suit your Easter theme.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- For softer cookies, slightly reduce baking time; for crispier cookies, bake a bit longer.
