Growing up, Easter was always a big celebration in our household. We loved baking together, and these Easter Bunny Cookies became a family favorite. I remember the joy on my kids' faces as they decorated each cookie with colorful sprinkles. It's a delightful way to bond with loved ones, especially during the holiday.
These cookies are not just delicious; they're also visually appealing! Perfect for Easter gatherings, kids' parties, or just a fun weekend project. Everyone loves a cute, sweet treat!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy Preparation: Simple steps make it fun for all ages.
- Delicious Flavor: A delightful combination of buttery goodness.
- Festive Appeal: Perfectly shaped bunnies that bring smiles.
- Decoration Fun: Get creative with colorful toppings.
Easter Bunny Cookies bring a delightful sweetness to your celebrations. They're easy to make and even more fun to decorate!
How To Make Easter Bunny Cookies
Making Easter Bunny Cookies is a breeze with this straightforward recipe. Gather your ingredients and get ready to bake and decorate these adorable treats. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Easter!
Star Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter (room temperature): Provides rich flavor and a tender texture.
- ½ cup shortening: Keeps cookies soft and chewy.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Adds sweetness for a delightful treat.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together for perfect cookies.
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- 2 teaspoons almond extract: Adds a unique, nutty taste.
- 3 ½ – 4 cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookies.
- ½ cup cornstarch: Keeps cookies soft and tender.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps cookies rise and become fluffy.
- 1 cup salted butter (room temperature) for frosting: Makes the frosting creamy and delicious.
- 6 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting for a perfect finish.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for frosting: Adds flavor to the frosting.
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream: Gives a smooth texture to the frosting.
- Black sugar pearls: Cute decoration for eyes and noses.
- Pink, yellow, purple, and blue sugar sprinkles: Make the cookies colorful and festive.
Simple Assembly
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and prepare two baking sheets with non-stick spray.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extracts, mixing well.
- Gradually add flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Mix until smooth.
- Roll out dough to ¼ – ½ inch thick on a floured surface. Cut into bunny shapes.
- Bake for 10 minutes until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- For frosting, cream butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar.
- Mix in vanilla extract and cream until fluffy. Pipe frosting onto cookies.
- Decorate each cookie with sprinkles and sugar pearls.
You Must Know
Baking can be a little tricky at times. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing. If your dough feels sticky, just add a bit more flour. This will help you roll it out easily without making a mess.
How To Serve Easter Bunny Cookies
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but they're also perfect at room temperature. Serve them on a colorful platter during your Easter celebration or add them to your kids' lunchboxes for a sweet surprise.
How To Store Easter Bunny Cookies
Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This will keep them fresh and tasty. For longer storage, you can freeze them, just make sure they are well-wrapped.
Tips To Make Easter Bunny Cookies
For a fun twist, try using different cookie cutters! You can also experiment with various sprinkles or colored frosting. Encourage kids to get creative with decorations, turning each cookie into a unique masterpiece.
Playful Variations
Add fun flavors by mixing in colorful chocolate chips or using lemon zest for a citrusy kick. You can even make carrot-shaped cookies instead of bunnies! The options are endless, and everyone can join the fun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I make the cookies softer?
To make your cookies softer, make sure your butter is at room temperature. Adding cornstarch to your dough also helps create a softer texture.
Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies! Just place them in an airtight container, and they will last for up to three months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While you can use margarine, the flavor and texture may differ. Butter provides a richer taste and helps achieve a better overall consistency in cookies.
What can I use instead of almond extract?
If you don't have almond extract, you can replace it with an equal amount of vanilla extract or leave it out entirely. The cookies will still taste delicious!
How can I decorate the cookies?
Get creative with decorations! Use colorful icing, sprinkles, and edible pearls to make your cookies colorful and fun. Kids love to help out with this part!
Print
Easter Bunny Cookies
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 24–30 cookies (depending on cutter size) 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easter Bunny Cookies are so fun to make with family! Perfect for decorating together, these sweet treats are a must for your holiday celebration. Let’s hop into baking!
Ingredients
1 cup salted butter room temperature
½ cup shortening
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
3 ½ – 4 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup salted butter room temperature for frosting
6 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract for frosting
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
Black sugar pearls
Pink yellow purple and blue sugar sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and prepare two baking sheets by spraying generously with non-stick spray and set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a paddle attachment or using a hand mixer, cream the butter shortening and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg vanilla and almond extracts and mix until well combined.
4. Add the flour starting with 3 ½ cups cornstarch and baking powder. Mix until there are no dry spots remaining. If the dough is still sticky to the touch add more flour about ¼ cup at a time.
5. Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll the dough out into about ¼ – ½ inch thick disc. Use a bunny cookie cutter to cut into shapes. Place each cookie about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
6. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare the frosting by adding the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a paddle attachment and cream on medium-high speed until soft and smooth.
8. Add the powdered sugar 3 cups at a time and mix until there are no dry spots remaining.
9. Add the vanilla extract and heavy whipping cream last and mix on low until combined. Increase speed to high for 4-5 minutes or until you have a smooth and fluffy texture.
10. Add the frosting to a piping bag equipped with a large round piping tip.
11. Add each different color sprinkle to four small plates. Pipe a generous amount of frosting onto each cookie then dip into the sprinkles. Gently tap to remove any excess sprinkles. Top with two black pearls for eyes and one for a nose.
12. You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Once the frosting has set you can store stacked.
Notes
Dough Texture Tip: The dough should be soft but not sticky—if it sticks to your fingers, gradually add more flour until it becomes easier to roll out and cut. Avoid over-flouring to maintain a tender texture.
Even Thickness Matters: Roll the dough to a consistent thickness (¼ to ½ inch) to ensure even baking. Thicker cookies will be softer, while thinner ones will be slightly crispier.
Frosting Fluffiness: Whipping the frosting for 4–5 minutes after all ingredients are combined is key to achieving a light, fluffy texture that pipes beautifully and holds its shape.
Sprinkle Dipping Hack: For cleaner results, gently press the frosted cookie face-down into a shallow dish of sprinkles instead of rolling it around. This helps control placement and keeps the frosting from smudging.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Sugar: ~18g
- Sodium: ~90mg
- Fat: ~12g
- Saturated Fat: ~7g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~4g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~26g
- Fiber: ~0.5g
- Protein: ~2g
- Cholesterol: ~30mg
Keywords: Easter Bunny Cookies, festive sugar cookies, Easter dessert, holiday baking, decorated cookies, soft sugar cookies, almond vanilla cookies, Easter treats, bunny-shaped cookies, kid-friendly baking.