50 Best Easter Cookies to Make Sunday Even Sweeter
From iced pastel shapes to no-bake nests, these cookies spark festive joy in every bite.
Easter is a time of renewal, family joy, and—of course—sweets! If you’re looking to brighten your springtime celebrations, these Easter cookie recipes embody the playful colors and fresh flavors of the season. From delicately decorated sugar cookies to charming chocolate nests and fruit-inspired Italian cookies, you’ll discover treats to delight family and friends of all ages. Build your own cookie tray, get the kids involved in decorating, and find new spring baking traditions below.
Table of Contents
- Butterfly Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Nest Cookies
- Italian Peach Cookies
- Pink-and-White Cookies
- Classic Sugar Cookies
- Easter Egg Cookies
- Bird’s Nest Cookies
- Carrot Cake Cookies
- Funfetti Cookies
- Frequently Asked Questions
Butterfly Sugar Cookies
Bring spring indoors with Butterfly Sugar Cookies—delicate, pastel, and ideal for an Easter brunch or basket. These cookies use a tender sugar cookie base, perfect for both cutouts and icing.
- Prep: Use butterfly-shaped cookie cutters to create the base shapes.
- Decorating: Apply marbled pastel royal icing for a beautiful effect. Add edible shimmer or sanding sugar for a magical finish.
- Serving Tip: Arrange cookies on a platter mixed with flower shapes for a spring garden look.
Chocolate Nest Cookies
These little edible nests are a kid-friendly favorite. You can mix up the “nest” part with different base ingredients and finish them with colorful candy eggs for a true Easter basket feel.
- Variations: Try these with butterscotch chips, pretzels, crispy rice cereal, or coconut mixed with melted chocolate.
- Assembly: Shape the mixture into small rounds and create a well in the center for candies—mini eggs or jellybeans work well.
- No Bake: Many versions set up in the fridge, making these cookies as easy as they are cute.
Italian Peach Cookies
For a cookie tray center-piece, nothing beats Italian Peach Cookies—soft, round sandwich cookies filled with jam and decorated to look just like ripe peaches.
- Ingredients: Each cookie is baked as a small dome, filled with peach preserves or other fruit jam.
- Finishing: After sandwiching, brush the cookies with a peach liqueur or syrup, roll in granulated sugar, and add mint leaves for a realistic look.
Pink-and-White Cookies
Inspired by the classic black-and-white New York cookie, these use pastel pink icing in place of the traditional dark chocolate, perfect for spring gatherings.
- Bake Base: Start with a pillowy, cake-like vanilla cookie as your base.
- Icing Tips: Divide icing and color one half with pink gel food color, keeping the other half white. Frost each cookie half-and-half.
Classic Sugar Cookies
No Easter celebration is complete without Classic Sugar Cookies in eggs, bunnies, and chicks. Use your favorite sugar cookie dough and let your imagination run wild with the decorations.
- Shapes: Easter egg, bunny, chick, carrot, and flower cookie cutters.
- Decorating: Royal icing in pastels, edible markers, sprinkles, and sanding sugars.
- Tip: For maximum fun, host a decorating party and let kids (and adults) design their own edible art.
Easter Egg Cookies
For true chocolate lovers, these Chocolate Easter Egg Cookies blend triple chocolate with festive, candy-coated mini eggs for irresistible flavor and a pop of color.
- Chocolate Power: Uses Dutch cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and candy-coated eggs.
- Decorations: Roll the dough balls in pastel sprinkles or nonpareils for festive effect.
- Texture: Chewy centers with crunchy candy eggs on top.
What others are reading
Key Ingredients:
- Flour, Dutch cocoa, baking powder + soda, salt
- Butter, granulated and brown sugar
- Eggs, vanilla extract
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips, candy coated chocolate eggs
- Optional: pastel decorating sprinkles
Preparation Highlights:
- Cream butter and sugars, add eggs and vanilla, mix with dry ingredients.
- Add chocolate chips and crushed candy eggs (save some for topping).
- Roll, coat in sprinkles if desired, bake, and top with extra candy eggs.
- Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.
Bird’s Nest Cookies
Bird’s Nest Cookies bring springtime whimsy and are delightfully easy—no oven needed! Perfect for making with children.
- Base: Chow mein noodles or pretzel sticks for nest structure.
- Binding: Melted white chocolate and creamy peanut butter.
- Extras: Toasted almonds, coconut flakes for extra crunch.
- Decorations: Fill nests with mini chocolate eggs or marshmallow chicks for an adorable look.
- Serving: Allow cookies to set in the fridge before layering in baskets or trays.
Carrot Cake Cookies
If you love carrot cake but want something bite-sized, these Carrot Cake Cookies are ideal—soft, spiced cookies topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re flavorful and feel festive when topped with orange sprinkles or toasted walnuts.
- Base: Carrot-infused cookie dough with cinnamon and ginger.
- Add-ins: Chopped walnuts offer crunch and depth.
- Frosting: Cream cheese and butter, whipped with vanilla and powdered sugar.
- Decorating: Sprinkle with orange jimmies or extra walnuts for a finishing touch.
Funfetti Cookies
No Easter cookie tray is complete without a burst of color—Funfetti cookies deliver bright sprinkles and a soft, chewy texture to delight children and adults alike.
- Base: Simple sugar cookie dough, loaded with pastel sprinkles.
- Finish: Top each with extra sprinkles before baking for maximum color.
- Alternative: Try adding white chocolate chips for a creamy twist.
Other Creative Easter Cookie Ideas
- Lemon Shortbread Bunnies: Crisp, buttery cookies with a hint of zesty lemon, cut into bunny shapes.
- Coconut Macaroons: Naturally gluten-free, each macaroon is dipped in chocolate and decorated with pastel sprinkles for Easter.
- Peanut Butter Blossoms: Peanut butter cookies crowned with a pastel chocolate kiss for spring flair.
- Meringue Nests: Swirls of airy meringue, baked until crisp and filled with lemon curd or whipped cream.
- Jam Thumbprint Eggs: Butter cookies indented and filled with bright, fruity jam—try apricot, raspberry, or strawberry.
Tips for Easter Cookie Decorating
- Use pastel food coloring for icings and dough to create a springy color palette.
- Sandwich cookies can be filled with jam, lemon curd, or chocolate hazelnut spread for pretty color contrast.
- For shaped cookies, dip only half in colored chocolate or glaze for an easy, modern decorating style.
- Readymade candies—like mini eggs, jellybeans, and marshmallow chicks—transform basic cookies into festive showstoppers.
- Royal icing is best for detailed piped designs and dries firm for stacking or packaging.
Ingredient Table: Key Components for Easter Cookies
| Cookie Type | Signature Ingredients | Decorating Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Sugar Cookies | Sugar dough, food coloring, royal icing | Marble or pipe icing; edible glitter |
| Chocolate Nest Cookies | Chocolate, crispy cereal/pretzel/coconut, candy eggs | Shape as nests, top with colored eggs |
| Italian Peach Cookies | Cake-style cookies, jam, peach schnapps, sugar | Color to resemble peaches, add mint leaves |
| Bird’s Nest Cookies | Chow mein noodles, white chocolate, peanut butter, almonds | Fill with marshmallow chicks or mini eggs |
| Carrot Cake Cookies | Grated carrots, warm spices, walnuts, cream cheese frosting | Top with orange sprinkles or chopped nuts |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy Easter cookies I can make with kids?
Bird’s Nest Cookies and Chocolate Nest Cookies are quick no-bake options. Classic sugar cookies also make a fun decorating activity for all ages.
How far in advance can I bake Easter cookies?
Most cookies can be made 2–3 days ahead. Store in airtight containers; some, like sugar cookies and shortbread, freeze well for weeks.
How do I get pastel colors for icing and dough?
Use gel food colorings in small quantities to achieve soft, watercolor-like shades. Mix thoroughly for even color distribution.
Do I need special tools to decorate cookies?
Basic tools: piping bags or zip-top bags with the tip cut off, toothpicks for detail work, and small offset spatulas for spreading icing. Shaped cookie cutters are helpful but not required.
Which cookies are best for gifting or shipping?
Shortbread, sugar cookies, and biscotti travel well. Avoid soft-frosted cookies that can smudge; wrap cookies individually or stack between parchment for neat presentation.
Conclusion
The best Easter cookies blend nostalgic flavors with playful presentation and pastel colors. Whether you’re looking for easy bakes for the kids or impressive showpieces for your Sunday table, the recipes here offer inspiration for every skill level and sweet tooth. Happy baking and Happy Easter!
References
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a64287917/easter-egg-cookies-recipe/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a60247409/birds-nest-cookies-recipe/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a39131603/carrot-cake-cookies-recipe/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/g35473481/easter-cookie-recipes/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11494/easter-cookies/
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