Easter Brown Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with a rich, caramel-like flavor, making them a perfect treat for spring celebrations. Decorated with pastel sprinkles or chocolate eggs, these festive cookies are a colorful and delightful addition to any Easter dessert table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies offer a deep, buttery flavor thanks to the use of brown sugar, paired with a wonderfully soft and tender texture. Easy to customize with your favorite Easter-themed toppings, they are simple to prepare and perfect for baking with kids. Whether you are hosting a party or creating holiday gift boxes, these cookies are sure to bring smiles.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups (250g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups (343g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: pastel chocolate eggs or festive sprinkles for topping
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated, about 1 minute.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined, about 2–3 minutes.
- Roll the dough into balls, approximately 2 tablespoons each, and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- If desired, press a few pastel chocolate eggs or festive sprinkles into the top of each cookie.
- Chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Bake Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Calories: Approximately 200 kcal per cookie
Variations
- Chocolate Chip Addition: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough for extra chocolate flavor.
- Lemon Twist: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a bright, springtime flavor.
- Nutty: Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and richness.
- Double Brown Sugar: Use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend for a gluten-free option.
Storage/Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Thaw at room temperature before serving. No reheating is necessary, though you may briefly warm them in a microwave for a soft, fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light?
Yes, but the cookies will have a deeper molasses flavor and a slightly darker color.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps the cookies maintain their shape.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made and chilled for up to 24 hours before baking.
What type of sprinkles work best?
Use pastel jimmies or nonpareils for a festive Easter look.
Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Yes, you can tint part of the dough with food coloring for a fun, colorful twist.
How do I get uniformly sized cookies?
Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly.
Can I bake these without chilling the dough?
It is possible, but the cookies will spread more and be thinner.
Are these cookies good for gifting?
Yes, they hold up well and make a beautiful presentation in spring-themed boxes or bags.
How should I line the baking sheet?
Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
Yes, adjust the size as needed and modify the baking time accordingly.
Conclusion
Easter Brown Sugar Cookies are a delightful addition to your springtime baking lineup, combining buttery sweetness with festive decorations for a truly charming treat. Soft, chewy, and bursting with caramel-like flavor, these cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends or adding a colorful touch to your Easter celebration.
Print
Easter Brown Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate spring with these soft and chewy Easter Brown Sugar Cookies! Packed with caramel-like flavor and decorated with pastel sprinkles or chocolate eggs, they’re perfect for Easter dessert tables or sweet gift baskets.
Ingredients
-
1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
-
1 1/4 cups (250g) light brown sugar, packed
-
1 large egg, room temperature
-
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
-
2 3/4 cups (343g) all-purpose flour
-
1 teaspoon baking soda
-
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
-
Optional: pastel chocolate eggs or festive sprinkles for topping
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
-
Add in the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined, about 1 minute.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
-
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully incorporated, about 2–3 minutes.
-
Roll dough into balls using about 2 tablespoons per cookie and place on a lined baking sheet.
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Press pastel chocolate eggs or festive sprinkles into the tops if desired.
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Chill the dough balls in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Bake chilled cookies for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and lightly golden.
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Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
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Chilling the dough is crucial for thick, chewy cookies.
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Swap pastel sprinkles for themed decorations to make these cookies perfect for any holiday!
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Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
