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A pile of freshly baked Easter cookies decorated with pastel icing and colorful sprinkles.

Simple Easter Sugar Cookies

This recipe provides instructions for making basic sugar cookies suitable for decorating during Easter.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Baking sheets

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use Easter-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
  8. Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should look set.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Notes

You can use your preferred royal icing or simple glaze for decorating the cooled cookies.