There’s something so magical about baking Easter cookies, especially when it comes to decorating them with royal icing! I just love how these sweet treats can bring a sense of joy and creativity into the kitchen. The vibrant colors and delightful shapes instantly brighten up any spring celebration. Plus, who doesn’t love a cookie that looks as good as it tastes? Trust me, once you start decorating your Easter cookies with royal icing, you’ll find yourself lost in the moment, adding little details that make each cookie unique. So, let’s dive into this fun and delicious adventure together and create beautiful Easter cookies that your friends and family will adore!

Ingredients List

2 cups all-purpose flour – this is the base for our cookies, giving them that lovely texture.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – trust me, using unsalted butter is key to controlling the sweetness!
1 cup granulated sugar – sweetening up our dough perfectly!
1 large egg – this helps bind everything together and gives the cookies that nice rise.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – because we all know that a hint of vanilla makes everything better!
1 teaspoon baking powder – this is what gives our cookies that soft and fluffy texture.
1/4 teaspoon salt – just a pinch to balance out the sweetness.
3 cups powdered sugar – essential for our royal icing, giving it that perfect sweetness and smoothness.
2 tablespoons meringue powder – this helps stabilize our icing and makes it nice and glossy.
6 tablespoons water – this will bring our icing to the right consistency.
Food coloring (optional) – to make your Easter cookies pop with color and creativity!

How to Prepare Easter Cookies Royal Icing

Step-by-Step Instructions

First things first, let’s preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). This way, it’s nice and hot when our cookies are ready to go in!
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps ensure our cookies have a light and airy texture.
In another large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s creamy and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. You want it to look light and almost pale!
Add in the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined. This is where the magic starts to happen!
Now, slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until it all comes together into a soft dough. Don’t overmix; we want our cookies to stay tender!
Next, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Then, use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out adorable shapes. I love using bunnies and eggs for Easter!
Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of space between each one. Bake them in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should be just starting to turn golden around the edges.
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They need to cool completely before we get to the fun part—decorating!
While those cookies cool, let’s whip up our royal icing! In a bowl, combine the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Mix until it’s smooth and has a nice, thick consistency.
If you want to get colorful, now’s the time to add food coloring and mix until you achieve your desired shade. This is where your creativity really shines!
Once the cookies are completely cool, grab a piping bag and start decorating! Remember, let the icing dry completely for at least 1-2 hours before stacking or serving your beautiful creations.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s super easy to make, perfect for bakers of all levels!
These cookies are not just delicious but also a fun project for the whole family.
Customizable with vibrant colors to match any Easter theme!
They make wonderful gifts or treats for your Easter gatherings.
The royal icing adds a beautiful, professional touch to your cookies.

Tips for Success

To achieve the best results with your Easter cookies and royal icing, I have a few handy tips! First, make sure your dough is soft but not sticky; it should hold its shape when you cut it out. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. When it comes to icing, the key is to achieve the right consistency—thick enough to hold its shape, but thin enough to spread smoothly. You can test this by drawing a line in the icing; if it holds for a few seconds before disappearing, you’re good to go!

Also, don’t rush the drying process—let the icing set for at least 1-2 hours, or even overnight, for the best results. For storage, keep your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to preserve their freshness. Enjoy the decorating process and let your creativity shine!

Nutritional Information

These delightful Easter cookies are not just a feast for the eyes but also a treat that you can enjoy in moderation! Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories, with 5g of fat and 2g of protein. They also pack in about 22g of carbohydrates and 10g of sugar. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes. Enjoy every sweet moment while celebrating the season!

FAQ Section

Can I use a different type of flour? Absolutely! If you want to make these Easter cookies gluten-free, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Just make sure it’s a 1:1 ratio for best results!

What can I use instead of meringue powder? If you don’t have meringue powder, you can substitute it with egg whites. Just use about 2 egg whites for every 2 tablespoons of meringue powder. Keep in mind that this will change the texture slightly.

How can I achieve different icing consistencies? Great question! For outlining your cookies, you’ll want a thicker icing. For flooding (filling in the outlines), thin your icing with a little more water until it flows smoothly but still holds its shape for a few seconds. Practice makes perfect!

Can I store the royal icing for later use? Yes, you can! Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Give it a good stir before using it again, as it may thicken over time.

How long do decorated cookies last? If stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, your decorated Easter cookies can last up to a week. Just make sure the icing is completely dry before stacking them!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

To keep your delicious Easter cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for up to a week! Just make sure the royal icing is completely dry before stacking them, so they don’t stick together. As for reheating, these cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. No need to heat them up—just grab one and enjoy the sweetness as is!

For more delicious recipes, check out our all recipes page!

For tips on baking, you can refer to this baking tips guide.

Easter Cookies Royal Icing: 7 Steps to Sweet Joy

Author: Lisa
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious Easter cookies decorated with royal icing.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix well.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until combined.
Roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes.
Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
For royal icing, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.
Add food coloring if desired and decorate cookies.

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container.
Use a piping bag for detailed icing work.
Let icing dry completely before stacking cookies.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 150
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: Easter cookies, royal icing, cookie decorating

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