Why did my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread too thin during baking, your butter might have been too warm or your oven temperature might be off. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and consider using an oven thermometer to verify your temperature.

Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

Absolutely! These cookies taste delicious without any food coloring. You can leave the dough plain for classic sugar cookies, or use natural food colorings like beet powder for pink or matcha powder for green.

How can I make the buttercream less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet filling, reduce the powdered sugar to 3 cups and add a pinch more salt to balance the flavors. You can also add a teaspoon of lemon juice or cream cheese to cut the sweetness.

Can I make gluten-free Easter sugar cookies?

Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. The texture might be slightly different, but they'll still be delicious.

Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe

Name: Easter Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Gel food coloring; 1 cup unsalted butter; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

This delightful Easter Sugar Cookie sandwich recipe transforms simple ingredients into festive, colorful treats that will brighten any spring celebration. These buttery cookies with creamy buttercream filling are not only visually stunning with their pastel colors but also deliver the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Ready in just 30 minutes of active time, these sandwich cookies are an ideal project for busy holiday preparations or a fun afternoon activity with kids.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Stunningly Colorful: These vibrant pastel cookies create an eye-catching display that’s perfect for Easter or spring gatherings.
Customizable: Change up the colors to match any holiday or event theme throughout the year.
Kid-Friendly Project: Little ones love helping color the dough and assemble these sandwich cookies.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare components in advance for stress-free holiday baking.
Crowd-Pleasing: The combination of soft cookies and creamy buttercream is universally loved by both kids and adults.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour: Creates the perfect structure for these cookies – no need for fancy specialty flours.
Baking soda and baking powder: The dynamic duo that gives these cookies their perfect rise and texture.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Use room temperature butter for the best texture in both cookies and frosting.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create those slightly crisp edges.
Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness to the dough.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to both cookies and filling.
Gel food coloring: Creates vibrant colors without thinning the dough – liquid food coloring won’t give you the same intensity.
Powdered sugar: Creates a silky-smooth buttercream filling.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to mix things up? Try these delicious twists:

Flavor Infusions: Add almond extract or lemon zest to the cookie dough for a different flavor profile.
Sprinkle Magic: Roll the edges of the assembled sandwich cookies in coordinating sprinkles for extra festive flair.
Chocolate Lover’s Version: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to one portion of dough for chocolate-vanilla combos.
Filling Flavors: Divide the buttercream and add different extracts or even a bit of fruit preserves for varied fillings.

How to Make Easter Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy—don’t rush this step, it creates the perfect texture! Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until well combined.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, about a cup at a time. Mix just until combined—overmixing will make tough cookies!

Step 3: Color the Dough

Divide the dough into four portions and place in separate bowls. Add 2-3 drops of different gel food coloring to each bowl. Mix each color thoroughly using clean beaters to avoid color contamination.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and place on the prepared cookie sheets about 1½ inches apart. Bake for 7-8 minutes, just until the edges begin to brown slightly. The centers may look slightly underdone—that’s perfect! They’ll firm up as they cool while staying soft.

Step 5: Make the Buttercream

While the cookies cool completely, prepare the buttercream. Beat the butter and 2 cups of powdered sugar until combined. Add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat for about 3 minutes until very light and fluffy.

Step 6: Assemble the Sandwich Cookies

Once cookies are completely cool, transfer the buttercream to a ziplock bag and snip off a corner. Pipe a generous amount of buttercream onto the bottom of one cookie, then gently press another cookie on top to create a sandwich. Repeat with all cookies.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature for the smoothest dough and best texture.
Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies from the oven when the edges are just starting to brown—they’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot baking sheet.
Cooling Completely: Patience pays off! Make sure cookies are completely cool before filling to prevent melting buttercream.
Color Intensity: Add gel coloring gradually—you can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s mixed in.
Even Sizing: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies that will match up perfectly for sandwiching.

How to Serve

These Easter Sugar Cookies are versatile treats that can be served in various delightful ways:

Easter Celebration

Arrange these colorful sandwich cookies on a tiered stand as a centerpiece for your Easter dessert table. Their pastel colors make them a perfect match for spring celebrations.

With Beverages

Pair these sweet treats with:

A glass of cold milk for the classic combo
Hot tea or coffee for an afternoon treat
Champagne or prosecco for an adult Easter brunch

Gift Packaging

Stack 3-4 sandwich cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons for a delightful homemade Easter gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store assembled sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, store in the refrigerator for up to a week—just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

Freeze unfilled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months. The buttercream can be frozen separately in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Make Ahead Tips

Prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake. You can also bake the cookies and store them unfilled, then assemble with fresh buttercream the day you plan to serve them.

FAQs

Why did my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread too thin during baking, your butter might have been too warm or your oven temperature might be off. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and consider using an oven thermometer to verify your temperature.
Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

Absolutely! These cookies taste delicious without any food coloring. You can leave the dough plain for classic sugar cookies, or use natural food colorings like beet powder for pink or matcha powder for green.
How can I make the buttercream less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet filling, reduce the powdered sugar to 3 cups and add a pinch more salt to balance the flavors. You can also add a teaspoon of lemon juice or cream cheese to cut the sweetness.
Can I make gluten-free Easter sugar cookies?

Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.

Final Thoughts

These Easter Sugar Cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a celebration of spring colors and flavors that bring joy to everyone who tries them. The combination of buttery, soft cookies with creamy buttercream creates a perfect balance that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re hosting an Easter gathering or simply want to brighten someone’s day with a colorful treat, these sandwich cookies are sure to impress. The best part? They’re simple enough for baking beginners but impressive enough for seasoned bakers. Give them a try this Easter season and watch the smiles appear with every colorful bite!