If you are looking for a delightful treat that captures the spirit of spring and adds a splash of color to your celebrations, this Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are perfectly buttery and tender, holding just the right balance of softness in the center with edges that provide a gentle crunch. Finished with crisp, glossy royal icing in charming pastel hues and festive Easter shapes, these cookies not only taste incredible but also bring joy to decorating sessions with kids and adults alike. Whether you’re baking for holiday gifting or a cheerful spring gathering, this recipe is sure to be a beloved staple.

Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, using essential pantry staples that come together to create truly delightful Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing. Each ingredient plays a crucial role—from the butter adding richness and tenderness, to the meringue powder ensuring that the icing dries to a perfect sheen and snap. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to gather before diving into the baking fun!

1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, creamy base that makes the cookies tender.
1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough, helping to create a lightly crisp texture on the outside.
1 large egg: Binds the ingredients, adding moisture and structure to the cookies.
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, fragrant flavor essential in classic sugar cookies.
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle nutty aroma for extra depth.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough that provides structure and shape.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Lightens the dough slightly, making the texture tender yet sturdy.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
4 cups powdered sugar: The key ingredient for smooth, sweet royal icing.
3 tablespoons meringue powder: Helps the royal icing set to a firm, glossy finish perfect for decorating.
6 tablespoons water (plus more as needed): Controls the consistency of the royal icing for piping and flooding.
Food coloring (gel recommended): Brings your Easter cookies to life with beautiful pastel colors.

How to Make Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

Begin by beating together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, creating cookies that are tender with just the right amount of lift. Make sure the butter is soft but not melted for the best texture.

Step 2: Add Egg and Extracts

Next, beat in the egg along with the vanilla extract and almond extract if you’re using it. These add sweetness and depth to the dough, crafting a cookie base that tastes rich and inviting. Mix just until fully incorporated to avoid overworking the dough.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is key to having consistent texture and flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Form the Dough

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until a soft dough forms. It should come together easily without being sticky or crumbly. Once formed, divide the dough into two disks, wrap each one in plastic wrap, and chill them in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to roll out and cut shapes without losing detail.

Step 5: Preheat and Prepare for Baking

While your dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures even baking and prevents the cookies from sticking, allowing you to lift them off cleanly after baking.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Cookies

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Easter-themed cookie cutters—think bunnies, eggs, chicks, or flowers—to cut fun shapes. Transfer the shapes gently to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a couple of inches apart to allow for slight spreading.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges turn a light golden color. This timing keeps the centers soft and tender while crisping the edges perfectly. Once baked, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before moving on to the icing. Proper cooling is essential to avoid melting your beautiful royal icing decorations.

Step 8: Prepare Royal Icing

To make the royal icing, beat together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water on low speed for 7 to 10 minutes until the icing is thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. If you need a thinner consistency for flooding the cookies, add a little water one drop at a time until you reach the desired texture. Divide the icing into separate bowls and use gel food coloring to tint each batch into your preferred pastel Easter shades.

Step 9: Decorate Your Cookies

Pour or pipe the royal icing onto cooled cookies using piping bags or squeeze bottles, carefully outlining and flooding each shape. This step is where the magic happens—seeing your cookies transform with vibrant, glossy designs. Allow the icing to dry completely, which may take several hours or overnight, before stacking or storing.

How to Serve Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe

Garnishes

While the royal icing provides a beautiful, smooth finish, you can take your Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe to the next level by adding edible glitter, pearl sprinkles, or tiny sugar flowers as garnishes. These details give your cookies a charming, professional look that is sure to impress friends and family alike.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a refreshing cup of hot tea or a chilled glass of milk. If hosting a larger spring gathering, complement the cookies with fresh fruit platters or light, citrus-based desserts that balance the sweetness and add bright, fresh flavors to your spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation is half the fun! Arrange your decorated Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe in a festive basket lined with pastel tissue paper or nestle them amidst faux grass for a playful Easter vibe. Wrapping individual cookies in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbon also makes delightful gifts for neighbors or party favors for kids.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely dry, store your Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh for up to one week, preserving both the crisp texture of the cookie and the smoothness of the icing without any cracking or moisture buildup.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough before baking, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. For decorated cookies, freezing after they are fully iced is best avoided, as the icing may crack or discolor. Instead, bake and freeze plain cookies, then decorate fresh after thawing.

Reheating

Reheating sugar cookies is generally not necessary and might soften the icing. If you prefer a warm cookie, gently warm them in a low oven (about 250°F) for a few minutes, taking care not to melt the royal icing. Otherwise, enjoy them fresh or at room temperature to appreciate their intended texture and decoration.

FAQs

Can I use regular egg whites instead of meringue powder for the royal icing?

Yes, you can use fresh egg whites, but meringue powder is a safer alternative since it’s pasteurized and more shelf-stable, making it ideal for consistent results and food safety, especially if sharing with kids.

How do I prevent royal icing from cracking on the cookies?

Make sure the cookies are fully cooled before icing and allow the icing to dry slowly at room temperature. Avoid stacking or covering the cookies until the icing is completely hardened to prevent cracks and smudges.

What’s the best thickness to roll the dough for these sugar cookies?

Rolling the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness offers the perfect balance of sturdiness and tenderness—thinner dough can crisp too much while thicker dough results in soft, cakey cookies.

Can I make gluten-free Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structure, and watch for slight changes in dough texture and baking times as you adjust.

How do I achieve vibrant pastel colors in the royal icing?

Gel food coloring is best because it provides intense pigmentation without thinning your icing. Start with a small amount and add more gradually to get the perfect pastel shade without affecting consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Easter Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Recipe is such a heartwarming way to bring family and friends together in the kitchen while creating beautiful, delicious memories. Baking and decorating these festive delights fills any space with joy and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie, these cookies are approachable, fun, and endlessly customizable. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and see how much happiness a simple cookie can bring!