Description
Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe made with cream cheese for soft, tender cookies shaped like bird nests. Topped with fluffy green frosting and chocolate eggs, these festive spring cookies are perfect for Easter brunch, parties, and family baking days.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
Frosting
3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
¾ cup butter, room temperature
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Pinch salt
2 to 3 drops green food coloring
Optional decorations:
Chocolate candy eggs
Green tinted coconut
Pastel sprinkles
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add both sugars and continue mixing until light and creamy. Blend in the almond extract and egg.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution and prevents overmixing later.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overworking the dough to keep the cookies tender.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about half inch thickness. For slightly crispier cookies, roll a bit thinner. Cut into circles or desired shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops lose their glossy appearance and the bottoms turn lightly golden. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Beat butter until smooth and creamy. Add salt, green food coloring, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Slowly mix in powdered sugar on low speed. Increase to high and beat for 2 minutes. Add additional milk if needed to reach piping consistency.
Using a large star piping tip, pipe frosting in a circular motion around the edge of each cookie, layering slightly upward to create a nest effect. Add chocolate eggs or decorative toppings.
Notes
Use softened butter and cream cheese for smooth mixing.
Chill dough if it becomes too soft before rolling.
Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling.
Dough can be refrigerated for 2 days or frozen for 3 months.
Decorated cookies can be stored in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes + Chill Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American