Easter Bunny Cookies Recipe

 Easter is a special time to celebrate with friends, family, and colorful spring vibes. One of the best ways to bring a little festive cheer into your home is by baking Easter Bunny Cookies. These adorable cookies are not only delicious but also make for a great family activity. Whether you're preparing for an Easter egg hunt or just looking for a way to brighten up the season, these cookies are sure to bring smiles all around. Best of all, you can personalize them with your own decorations to make each bunny unique!

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the royal icing (for decorating):

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder (or 2 large egg whites)
• 4-5 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
• Food coloring (optional)

Decorating materials (optional but fun!):

• Mini marshmallows (for tails or cheeks)
• Pink and black edible markers
• Assorted sprinkles
• Small candies (for eyes or noses)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
3. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until combined.
4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder) until the dough is smooth. If the dough feels too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it firms up slightly.
5. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour—or 30 minutes if you're in a rush.

Step 2: Roll, Cut, and Bake

1. Lightly flour your workspace and roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thick.
2. Use bunny-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your designs. If you don’t have a bunny cutter, you can use a round cutter for the head and add small ovals for the ears.
3. Place the cookie shapes onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch of space between each one.
4. Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Royal Icing

1. While the cookies cool, prepare your royal icing. Whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder (or egg whites) in a medium bowl.
2. Gradually add water, a tablespoon at a time, and stir until the icing reaches your desired consistency. For detailed designs, use a thicker icing; for flooding (filling in areas), make it thinner by adding more water.
3. Divide the icing into small bowls and mix in food coloring as needed. Pastel shades work beautifully for Easter!

Step 4: Decorate Your Easter Bunnies

1. Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off to outline the bunny shapes. For a clean look, allow the outline to set before “flooding” (filling in) with thinner icing.
2. Add personal touches to your bunnies! Use sprinkles for decoration, mini marshmallows for fluffy tails, and candies for the eyes or nose. Pink edible markers can be great for drawing rosy cheeks or tiny hearts as accents.
3. Allow the icing to fully dry and harden before handling or stacking the cookies. This can take up to 2-3 hours, depending on the thickness of the icing.

Tips and Creative Twists

• Chocolate Bunny Cookies: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the flour mixture to create chocolate-flavored cookies.
• Lemon Sugar Cookies: Substitute almond extract with a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest for a bright citrusy twist.
• Decorating Shortcuts: If you're short on time, skip the icing and simply dust the cookies with powdered sugar or use store-bought frosting.
• Personalized Treats: Decorate each bunny with initials or small details to represent family members—kids will love seeing "their" bunny!

Easter Bunny Cookies showcase fun and creativity, and are as delightful to eat as they are to make. Gather your loved ones in the kitchen, play some cheerful music, and enjoy creating sweet little bunnies together. These cookies are perfect for gifting or enjoying during your Easter festivities. Happy baking!