Scoot over Girl Scouts, Easter is cookie time for home bakers everywhere. Holidays bring families together and as long as everyone’s under the same roof you may as well be sharing easter cookies and sweet treats. Not that you need a reason to bake a batch of crazy, colorful delights.
Break out your decorating hat. These Easter cookies taste best all dressed up.
10. Carrot treats
Who loves carrots more than bunnies? Kids do when they’re made of sugar and butter. Use a carrot-shaped cutter to make your favorite rolled-out dough into carrot shapes. Use food dye to make 3/4 jar of white frosting orange, and the rest bright green. Add to any holiday gift basket.
9. Post-holiday melts
Those of us who can only eat so many candies, but hate to see anything go to waste can say “Hello” to post-holiday candy melts. These are the medley of baking, the solution to bowls full of remainders from candy baskets. Start with the basic dough, sugar and shortbread work well, and then toss in the candies to bake the ultimate hybrids.
8. Brown-eyed Susans
Perfect for spring, brown-eyed Susans are a bright addition to any cookie platter. They have a pleasing burst of chocolate in the center surrounded by bright yellow petals (dyed sugar cookie dough). Kids can help by shaping the dough into different petals, creating the garden every sweet tooth dreams of.
7. Coconut macaroons
Coconut macaroons are a classic treat this time of year. They’re displayed at bakeries and grocery stores, and easy to make on your own. You can dip them in chocolate or stay sweet and simple.
6. Lemon and raspberry sandwiches
These treats, shared on Martha Stewart, are a welcome addition to this holiday, which can easily overload us with chocolate, peanut butter, and coconut. Lemon is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Spread a little raspberry jam inside and you’ll see why these humble-looking treats deserve their own fan club.
5. Thumbprints
Sometimes it’s the simplest sweets that can take you back to childhood, baking in grandma’s kitchen. Thumbprints are traditional Easter cookies composed of two simple components: cookie and jam. Simply roll raw dough into small balls and gently press your thumb down in the center. Drop a dollop of delicious jam in the center and bake till golden.
4. Koulourakia
You don’t have to be Greek to enjoy these traditional sesame seed sweets. Follow Food.com’s recipe to make the dough, then twist two strands together and glaze. They may not be the most decorative choice on the dessert table, but the soft texture and warm flavors will have everyone coming back for more.
3. Shortbread pinwheels
Go ahead, and impress your guests with these rich shortbread pinwheels. Whip up your shortbread dough and divide into two equal parts. Dye one or both parts pink, blue or another pastel color. Roll out each ball to under 1/2” then lay them on top of each other and roll. Chill for about an hour and then slice the roll into equal disks.
2. Bird’s nests
The best Easter cookies don’t just taste good, they bring color and smiles to your home. Bird’s nests are playful and fun to make with kids. Use a sugar or peanut butter dough to form the nest. Press your thumb down and bake. After they cool, use a dab of icing to adhere candy eggs to the center.
1. Eggs
Roll out your favorite sugar cookie dough until it’s about 1/3” thick. Use a basic egg-shaped cookie cutter to fill your baking trays with tasty blank canvases. If sprinkles, candies and sugar crystals are in your decorating plans, sprinkle them on before baking. Allow to cool before unleashing your inner pastel icing artiste.