Easter Bunny Sugar Cookies (Printable)
Buttery sugar cookies shaped as Easter bunnies with colorful royal icing, ideal for spring celebrations and decorating fun.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Sugar Cookies
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
→ For the Royal Icing
09 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder
11 - 4–5 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
12 - Gel food coloring (assorted pastel colors)
→ For Decorating
13 - Sprinkles, sanding sugar, or edible pearls (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
03 - Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Beat until thoroughly combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out bunny shapes with a cookie cutter.
08 - Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are just lightly golden. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat together powdered sugar and egg whites (or meringue powder + water) on low speed until combined, then increase speed and beat until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add additional water for flooding consistency if needed.
11 - Divide icing into bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired.
12 - Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing using piping bags or squeeze bottles. Add sprinkles or pearls before icing sets.
13 - Allow icing to fully set for 2–4 hours before storing or serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dough is incredibly forgiving and bakes up perfectly tender every single time
- Royal icing gives you that professional bakery look without requiring any fancy techniques
02 -
- Cutting the chilled dough discs into smaller wedges makes rolling so much easier when the dough starts to soften
- Royal icing can go from too thick to too thin with just a drop of water, so add it extremely slowly
03 -
- Rotate your baking sheets halfway through for even browning
- Warm your cookie cutter between cuts by dipping it in flour