Description
These adorable Easter Chick Sugar Cookies are the perfect festive treat! Made with a buttery sugar cookie base and decorated with royal icing, they’re fun to bake and even more delightful to decorate. A charming addition to your Easter celebration!
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 large egg whites (or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 4 tablespoons water)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Yellow, orange, and black food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough – In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Shape & Bake – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to shape chick faces or an egg-shaped cutter for an oval design. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating.
- Create the Chick Magic – Prepare the royal icing by beating powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder mix), and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with yellow (for the body), orange (for the beak), and black (for the eyes). Using a piping bag or squeeze bottle, outline and flood each cookie with yellow icing. Let dry. Add orange beaks and black eyes using a fine piping tip or toothpick. Allow icing to set before serving.
Notes
- For a shortcut, use store-bought sugar cookie dough and ready-made royal icing.
- Let the base icing fully dry before adding details to prevent smudging.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American