Easter Dessert Cookies: 10 Easy Recipes to Wow Your Guests!

Easter dessert cookies are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate spring! These aren’t just your average sugar cookies. Think soft, buttery dough, vibrant pastel colors, and a hint of lemon zest that screams “Easter Sunday.” Growing up, my grandma always had a platter of decorated cookies ready for us after our Easter egg hunt, and these beauties are my ode to her.

These Easter dessert cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re a way to create memories and spread joy this Easter. This version has been tweaked from her original recipe and amped up with a touch of modern flair! That is why these particular cookies get requested year after year from friends and family. Whip up a batch and watch faces light up.

Why You Will Love This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

You’re going to adore this recipe because it’s so simple and satisfying. The cookies are perfectly soft, not too sweet, and the lemon glaze adds a bright, refreshing touch. Plus, decorating them is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. They’re the perfect treat to bring to any Easter gathering, or simply enjoy at home with a cup of tea after your Easter Dessert Fruit Crisp.

They’re quick to bake, and require minimal decorating skills. Comfort, ease, and flavor all in one delightful cookie. I always loved using my grandmother’s cookie cutters. There was just something special about using her old, slightly worn collection each year, really driving home the feeling of the holiday. I hope you discover that magic, too.

Ingredients Needed for This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

For the Dough:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons milk

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 6 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (pink, yellow, blue, green)

How to Make This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

1. 1. Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. 2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. 3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
4. 4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix. Stir in the milk until the dough comes together.
5. 5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. This helps prevent spread when baking the cookies!
6. 6. Preheat and Roll: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
7. 7. Cut Out Shapes: Use Easter themed cookie cutters (such as bunnies, eggs, chicks) to cut out shapes. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Now is the time to make those Easter Dessert Cookies you have been waiting for this season.
8. 8. Bake: Bake for 8 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Be sure to keep a close eye on them; overbaking will make them dry!
9. 9. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. 10. Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more liquid a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Divide the glaze into separate bowls and tint each with gel food coloring.
11. 11. Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with the colored glaze. Get creative and have fun with it! You can use sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar for extra flair. Let the glaze set completely before serving.

How to Serve This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

These Easter dessert cookies are perfect on their own as a sweet treat at any time of day. Serve them on a festive platter as part of your Easter brunch spread alongside a fruit salad and mimosas. For added cuteness, fill a basket lined with decorative Easter grass with the cookies and give as a gift. Consider pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh berries for a more substantial dessert. You may even arrange on a plate with some Easter decorations to complete the overall presentation.

How to Store This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

These Easter dessert cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 4 days. They are best enjoyed within the first 2 days for optimal freshness.

You can also freeze the undecorated baked cookies. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them completely at room temperature before decorating. Glazed cookies can be frozen, but the glaze may become slightly sticky once thawed.

Tips to Make This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

• Use room temperature butter for a smoother dough. Creaming the butter and sugar properly is essential for a light and airy cookie. Don’t skip this step!
• Chill the dough well. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helps them hold their shape.
• Don’t overbake the cookies. Keep a close eye on them; they should be lightly golden around the edges.
• For a more intense lemon flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract to the glaze.
• If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk or lemon juice. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Helpful Notes for This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

• Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. Expired leavening agents can result in flat, dense cookies.
• Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors. Liquid food coloring can sometimes thin out the glaze.
• If you’re short on time, you can use store bought sugar cookie dough and focus on the decorating aspect.
• These cookies can be adapted for other holidays by using different cookie cutters and colors.

Variation of This Easter dessert cookies Recipe

• Chocolate Easter Cookies: Add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist.
• Spice Easter Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor.
• Citrus Glaze: Replace the vanilla extract in the glaze with orange or lime extract for a different citrus flavor.
• Easter Egg Nests: Press a small indent into the center of each cookie before baking. After baking and cooling, fill the indents with chocolate ganache or frosting and top with mini Easter eggs.

Print