Easter Bunny Sugar Cookies (Printable)
Buttery cookies shaped like bunnies with vibrant royal icing, perfect for festive spring treats.
# What You'll Need:
→ Sugar Cookie Dough
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 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
→ Royal Icing
09 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2 tablespoons meringue powder
11 - 5-6 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
12 - Gel food coloring in assorted pastel shades
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Incorporate egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with bunny-shaped cookie cutters and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges barely turn golden. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add 5 tablespoons water and beat on low speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Adjust consistency with additional water as needed.
10 - Divide icing into bowls and tint with gel food coloring. Decorate cooled cookies using piping bags fitted with small round tips. Let icing set completely for at least 1 hour before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The buttery dough holds its shape beautifully so your bunnies actually look like bunnies
- Royal icing dries with a gorgeous professional sheen that makes everyone think you bought them
02 -
- Chilling the dough is not optional because warm dough spreads and you will end up with blob bunnies
- Royal icing consistency is everything and too thin means it runs off the cookies
03 -
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to keep your icing thick and workable
- Let the base layer of icing dry for 15 minutes before adding details like eyes or whiskers