Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?

I don't recommend skipping the chilling step. The dough needs time to firm up so the cookies hold their shape and don't spread while baking. If you're in a hurry, you can place the dough in the freezer for about 1-2 hours instead of refrigerating overnight.

Why did my royal icing never harden?

Royal icing needs adequate drying time in a low-humidity environment. If your icing isn't hardening, it might be too thin (add more powdered sugar), or your environment might be too humid. Try using a fan to circulate air or wait longer before stacking or storing the cookies.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer for this recipe?

Absolutely! A hand mixer works perfectly fine for both the cookie dough and royal icing. Just be patient and give yourself extra time for thorough mixing, especially when creaming the butter and sugar.

Is it safe to use raw egg whites in the icing?

If you're concerned about using raw egg whites, you can substitute with meringue powder or pasteurized egg whites. Follow the package instructions for the equivalent of two egg whites when making royal icing.

Easter Egg Sugar Cookies Recipe

Name: Easter Egg Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 6 h 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 6 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 cups flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened at room temperature; 2 cups granulated sugar; 4 eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 egg whites; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 tsp cream of tartar; Gel food coloring

This delightful Easter Egg Sugar Cookie recipe creates the most beautiful, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are perfect for your holiday celebrations! With their soft, buttery texture and festive decorations, these cookies aren’t just treats—they’re edible works of art that will bring joy to your Easter gathering. The dough comes together easily, and while it does require chilling time, the decorating process is where the real fun begins!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Soft Texture: These cookies have that ideal balance—sturdy enough to hold their shape but tender enough to melt in your mouth with each bite.
Customizable Designs: Let your creativity shine! Each egg becomes your canvas for creating unique patterns and color combinations.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be prepared ahead of time, making your holiday baking schedule more manageable.
Crowd-Pleaser: Both kids and adults will be impressed by these beautiful cookies that taste as good as they look.
Family Activity: Decorating these cookies together makes for wonderful family memories during the Easter season.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Flour: Forms the structure of your cookies. Make sure to measure it correctly for the perfect texture—too much will make your cookies dry.
Baking Powder: Gives just the right amount of lift without causing the cookies to spread and lose their easter egg shape.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Don’t skip it!
Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature for the best texture and control over the salt content. The butter needs to be soft—but not melted—to properly cream with the sugar.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and creates that slightly crisp exterior while maintaining a soft center.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into your dough.
Vanilla Extract: Adds that warm, classic flavor that makes these cookies irresistible. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

For the Icing:

Egg Whites: The base of royal icing that creates a smooth, hard finish when dried.
Powdered Sugar: Creates the sweet, smooth texture in your icing. You may need to adjust the amount for proper consistency.
Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites and helps the icing maintain its structure.
Gel Food Coloring: Provides vibrant color without thinning out your icing. Pastel shades are perfect for Easter!

Variations

Flavor Twists: Add lemon zest, almond extract, or even a touch of cinnamon to change up the cookie flavor.
Sprinkle Fun: Before the icing sets, sprinkle with colorful jimmies, nonpareils, or sanding sugar for extra sparkle and texture.
Marbled Effect: Create a marbled look by gently swirling different colored icings together on the cookie surface.
Cookie Sandwiches: Make smaller eggs and sandwich them with buttercream or jam for a different treat entirely.
Chocolate Dipped: Skip the icing entirely and dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate, then add sprinkles.

How to Make Easter Egg Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. This creates air pockets for tender cookies. Add all four eggs at once and mix until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so be gentle!

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Form the dough into a ball and wrap it completely in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. This crucial step helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading during baking.

Step 4: Roll and Cut Cookies

Once chilled, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften slightly. Dust your work surface with flour, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness, and cut out egg shapes with your cookie cutter.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 325°F for 8-10 minutes. Look for the edges to be just slightly golden—not brown. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Prepare Royal Icing

Beat the egg whites, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar on medium speed for 4 minutes until stiff peaks form. Divide into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring to create your desired pastel colors.

Step 7: Decorate in Stages

First, outline and flood the cookies with your base pastel colors using a piping bag. Let this layer dry completely (2-3 hours). Then add details and designs with white icing using a small tip (#1 works well). Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely before storing.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Temperature Matters: Make sure your butter is truly at room temperature—you should be able to press a finger into it easily, but it shouldn’t look greasy or melted.
Test Your Icing: To check if your royal icing has the right consistency, drag a knife through it—the line should disappear in about 15 seconds. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add a few drops of water.
Cookie Thickness: For the perfect texture, aim for 1/4-inch thickness when rolling out your dough.
Prevent Spreading: If your kitchen is warm, place cut-out cookies on the baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes before baking.
Practice Piping: If you’re new to decorating, practice your piping techniques on parchment paper before working on the cookies.

How to Serve

These Easter Egg Sugar Cookies are versatile and perfect for numerous Easter celebrations:

Holiday Display

Arrange them on a beautiful spring-themed platter as a centerpiece for your Easter table. They double as both dessert and decoration!

Gift Packaging

Place a few cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons for a thoughtful homemade gift or Easter basket addition.

Complement With

Serve alongside fresh berries and whipped cream for a lovely dessert spread, or pair with coffee, tea, or milk for an afternoon treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely dried cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, placing parchment paper between layers to protect the decoration. They’ll stay fresh for 5-7 days.

Cookie Dough Storage

The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking, or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Freezing Baked Cookies

Undecorated baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.

Note: Decorated cookies with royal icing don’t freeze well as the icing may become spotty when thawed.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?

I don’t recommend skipping the chilling step. The dough needs time to firm up so the cookies hold their shape and don’t spread while baking. If you’re in a hurry, you can place the dough in the freezer for about 1-2 hours instead of refrigerating overnight.
Why did my royal icing never harden?

Royal icing needs adequate drying time in a low-humidity environment. If your icing isn’t hardening, it might be too thin (add more powdered sugar), or your environment might be too humid. Try using a fan to circulate air or wait longer before stacking or storing the cookies.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer for this recipe?

Absolutely! A hand mixer works perfectly fine for both the cookie dough and royal icing. Just be patient and give yourself extra time for thorough mixing, especially when creaming the butter and sugar.
Is it safe to use raw egg whites in the icing?

If you’re concerned about using raw egg whites, you can substitute with meringue powder or pasteurized egg whites. Follow the package instructions for the equivalent of two egg whites when making royal icing.

Final Thoughts

These Easter Egg Sugar Cookies bring together the joy of baking with the creativity of decorating, resulting in treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat. While they do require some time and patience, the smiles they’ll bring to your loved ones’ faces make every minute worthwhile. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying decorated cookies for the first time, this recipe offers a wonderful opportunity to create lasting Easter traditions. So gather your supplies, maybe invite some helpers, and enjoy the process of creating these beautiful spring cookies!