Easter Sugar Cookies

These Easter Sugar Cookies are a delightful gluten-free treat, perfect for Easter baking or springtime celebrations. Made with Cup4Cup gluten-free flour, these cookies offer a soft and sweet texture, with added flavors of vanilla and almond extract. Decorated with royal icing, wafer paper designs, and colorful sanding sugar, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. Whether you’re looking for gluten-free Easter cookie recipes, royal icing decorated cookies, or festive Easter treats, this recipe has you covered. These cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings, making them the perfect treat for your Easter dessert table, spring parties, or cookie decorating activities.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Cup4Cup gluten-free 1:1 flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon OliveNation almond extract
• 1 stick salted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 4 oz Fancy Flours royal icing
• 2 ¼ tablespoons water
• Happy Easter mini postcard wafer paper
• Rabbits with Carrots wafer paper
• Sanding sugar – pink, yellow, and blue

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • Cream the softened butter and sugar in a stand mixer for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
   • Add the milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and egg to the bowl, mixing until everything is well combined.
   • Gradually add half of the flour to the wet ingredients and mix on low. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the remaining flour, mixing until combined.
2. Chill the Dough:
   • Cover the mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 ½ hours or freeze for 45 minutes until the dough is very cold.
3. Preheat the Oven and Prepare for Baking:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
   • Lightly dust a clean surface or silicone mat with flour and roll out half of the dough to a ¼-inch thickness.
4. Cut and Bake Cookies:
   • Using a square cookie cutter, cut out the desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
   • Roll out the remaining dough and use a round cookie cutter to cut out additional shapes and place them on the baking sheets.
   • Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
   • Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
5. Decorate the Cookies:
   • Mix royal icing with 2 ¼ teaspoons water on low speed. Increase the speed to medium and mix for about 5 minutes until smooth.
   • Brush the cooled cookies with the icing.
   • Press the decorative wafer papers firmly onto the iced cookies, using the appropriate paper for each cookie shape.
   • For the finishing touch, dip the sides of the cookies into sprinkles (pink, yellow, or blue sanding sugar) to coat the exposed icing.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easter Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat for your holiday celebrations! Made with gluten-free flour, these cookies offer a soft, sweet, and slightly chewy texture. The addition of almond extract provides a delightful twist, while the vibrant, festive designs made with royal icing and wafer paper create a visually stunning cookie. With a hint of vanilla, and colorful sprinkles to top them off, these cookies are sure to become a favorite for your Easter baking or any special occasion.

Tips

• Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before rolling it out. Cold dough helps prevent spreading while baking, resulting in perfectly shaped cookies.
• If you don’t have wafer paper, you can also use fondant or even edible markers to decorate your cookies.
• Royal icing can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Variations and Substitutions

• Flour substitution: If you don’t need gluten-free cookies, you can use regular all-purpose flour in place of the gluten-free flour blend.
• Dairy-free version: Substitute the butter with dairy-free butter and use plant-based milk.
• Flavor variations: Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or lemon zest to the dough for a twist on the traditional sugar cookie flavor.
• Royal Icing Substitute: If you prefer a different type of icing, you can use buttercream instead of royal icing for a creamier, softer texture.

FAQs

• Can I make these cookies in advance? Yes! The cookie dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. After baking, the cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Can I use a different type of icing? You can use buttercream frosting or glaze icing if you prefer, but royal icing creates a firmer, glossy finish perfect for decorating with wafer paper.
• How long should I bake the cookies? Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as every oven is different.

Serving

Serve these beautiful Easter Sugar Cookies as a treat at your Easter gathering, spring party, or as a fun activity with kids! They make great gifts in decorative boxes or as part of an Easter dessert spread. They also work well as part of a cookie decorating station for children or adults at your holiday events.

Suggestions

• Pair these sugar cookies with a springtime tea or a glass of lemonade for a refreshing treat.
• Add a personalized touch by using different wafer paper designs such as flowers, bunnies, or Easter eggs.
• These cookies also make a fun activity for kids — they can help decorate and enjoy their creations afterward!