The Sweetest Easter Cookies Recipe for Spring Celebrations

Celebrate the season with delightful Easter cookies that blend sweet nostalgia and festive charm.

These delicate treats burst with pastel colors and springtime joy.

Baking Easter cookies brings families together in a delicious ritual of love and tradition.

Each cookie tells a story of childhood memories and fresh beginnings.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a perfect balance of textures that dance on your palate.

The simple ingredients transform into magical morsels that sparkle with sugary delight.

Gather your mixing bowl and let’s make something extraordinary that will become a cherished holiday memory.

Why Easter Cookies Bring Joy to the Table

No complicated techniques required!

• Personalize the cookies with pastel sprinkles and colorful M&M's, making them a fun and creative treat for holiday gatherings or family baking sessions.
• These cookies come together in a snap, delivering irresistible flavor and a festive look that will have everyone asking for seconds. Kids and adults will love the playful mix of textures and sweet chocolate chunks.
• Ideal for Easter brunches, classroom parties, or as a special homemade gift that spreads joy and captures the spirit of the season.

Easter Cookie Ingredients You’ll Need

• Flour: The base of the cookie that provides structure and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Essential leavening and seasoning agents that help the cookies rise and enhance flavor.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that contribute to the cookie's flavor and help with caramelization.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the cookies.

• Easter M&M's, White Chocolate Chips: Colorful candy and chocolate that add festive sweetness and texture to the cookies.
• Pastel Sprinkles: Decorative topping that gives the cookies a festive Easter look.

How to Bake Easter Cookies Just Right

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper.

Preheat the oven to a toasty 350°F, getting ready for some cookie magic.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Make sure everything is perfectly mixed and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This should take about 1-2 minutes with an electric mixer.

Step 4: Incorporate Liquid Elements

Mix in the cold egg and vanilla extract.

Scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure everything combines smoothly.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Components

Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed.

Mix until just combined – avoid overmixing!

Step 6: Add Festive Touches

• Easter M&M's
• White chocolate chips

Keep a few extras for topping later.

Step 7: Dress Up Cookie Balls

Scoop out dough balls and roll them in pastel sprinkles.

Pro tip: Chill dough balls for 20 minutes if you want thicker cookies.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets with space between them.

Bake for 8-11 minutes until edges are set but centers look slightly soft.

Step 9: Final Cookie Styling

Immediately after removing from oven, use a spoon to shape cookies into perfect circles.

While warm, add extra M&M’s or chocolate chips for a professional bakery look.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Time to enjoy your Easter treats!

Tips to Decorate Easter Cookies Beautifully

• Press extra M&M's into warm cookies for vibrant, festive visual appeal right after baking.
• Chill cookie dough balls for 20 minutes before baking to ensure thicker, more controlled cookie shapes.
• Remove cookies from oven when edges are set but centers look slightly underdone for soft, chewy perfection.
• Gently press pastel sprinkles on cookie dough tops before baking to create an even, professional-looking decoration.
• Use low mixer speed when combining dry and wet ingredients to prevent tough, dense cookies.

How to Store Easter Cookies for Later

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss.
• Scoop cookie dough balls, place on baking sheet, freeze until solid. Transfer frozen dough balls to freezer bag. Store up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Preserve quality for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. Restore soft, fresh-baked texture and bring back that delightful just-baked aroma.

Pairing Treats for Easter Cookies

• Pair Sweet Easter Delights with Complementary Beverages: Elevate the festive cookie experience with these perfect companions.
• Sip Spring Lemonade: Create a zesty, refreshing contrast with homemade lavender or strawberry-infused lemonade that cuts through the cookie's sweetness and adds a bright, seasonal touch.
• Match Creamy Milk Options: Choose whole milk or vanilla almond milk to enhance the chocolate and M&M flavors, providing a smooth, comforting backdrop that kids and adults will love.
• Brew Soft Coffee Companions: Select a light roast cappuccino or vanilla latte to complement the cookie's rich buttery base, adding a gentle warmth that balances the sweet sprinkles and chocolate chips.

Easter Cookie Styles to Try

• Gluten-Free Easter Cookies: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same soft texture while accommodating wheat-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Easter Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular eggs, and select vegan white chocolate chips and plant-based M&M alternatives for a cruelty-free version.
• Low-Sugar Easter Cookies: Substitute granulated and brown sugars with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining a delightful sweetness.
• Protein-Packed Easter Cookies: Incorporate a scoop of vanilla protein powder into the dry ingredients, transforming these treats into a more nutritionally balanced snack for fitness enthusiasts.

FAQs

• Why should I use cold egg in this recipe?

Cold eggs help maintain the butter’s temperature and prevent cookie spread, resulting in thicker, more structured cookies with better texture.

• Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests white chocolate chips, you can experiment with milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate chips to match your taste preferences.

• What's the purpose of chilling the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spreading, creates a more concentrated flavor, and allows the flour to fully hydrate, leading to a chewier, more flavorful cookie.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for set edges with slightly underdone centers. The cookies will continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven, so don’t overbake them.

Easter Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet memories of childhood come alive with Easter Cookies, a delightful treat that brings families together. Crisp, buttery, and adorned with pastel sprinkles, these cookies promise a moment of pure joy you’ll savor with each delicate bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened but still cool
• 3/4 cup Easter/spring M&Ms
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chunks

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup pastel sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
3. Use an electric mixer to cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 2 minutes.
4. Incorporate the cold egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully integrated and scraping bowl sides to ensure complete blending.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed, stirring until just combined without overmixing.
6. Gently fold Easter M&M’s and white chocolate chips into the dough, reserving a few for decorative topping.
7. Form dough into balls (1½-2½ tablespoons), rolling tops in pastel sprinkles for festive decoration. Optional: Refrigerate dough balls for 20 minutes to achieve thicker cookies.
8. Arrange dough balls on prepared baking sheets, allowing space for expansion. Bake 8-11 minutes until edges are set and centers appear slightly underbaked.
9. Immediately after removing from oven, use a spoon to shape cookies into perfect circles. Quickly press additional M&M’s and chocolate chips onto warm surface for enhanced visual appeal.
10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for several minutes before transferring to wire cooling racks, enabling them to firm up and reach optimal texture.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter for a smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that creates a perfect texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with more defined edges.
• Swap regular M&M’s with dairy-free or vegan chocolate alternatives to make the recipe allergy-friendly and inclusive for different dietary needs.
• Press extra chocolate chips and M&M’s on top of the cookies immediately after baking to create a professional-looking, Instagram-worthy finish that ensures maximum chocolate coverage.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg