Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

Recipe By:
jesseca
Posted:
Updated:

This Easter season, you can’t go wrong with some delightful treats! With the right recipes, you’ll be able to create beautiful memories along with the perfect desserts. One of those fabulous recipes is for Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies – Buttery, Egg-Shaped & Giftable! These cookies are not only simple to make but they also offer a buttery flavor that just melts in your mouth. Plus, they’re shaped like eggs, making them perfect for springtime celebrations.

Jump to:

Imagine gifting a lovely box filled with these colorful, handcrafted cookies. They’re a great way to spread joy and bring a smile to anyone’s face. Whether you’re gathering around a festive table or taking treats to share with friends, these cookies will easily fit right in. Let’s get started, and I’ll guide you through every step of making these delicious Easter delights!

Why This Recipe Works

This Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies recipe effortlessly combines the blockbuster flavors of buttery goodness and the delicate crispiness of shortbread. The use of powdered sugar makes the dough tender, while the careful mixing technique ensures the cookies maintain their shape and characteristic crumble. This guide walks you through a foolproof method to create unforgettable cookies, perfect for any Easter celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies – Buttery, Egg-Shaped & Giftable!

Imagine gifting a box filled with delicate, handcrafted shortbread cookies shaped like colorful eggs. These Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies not only taste fabulous but also offer a delightful visual appeal that makes them perfect for springtime festivities. Their buttery richness and simple, yet sophisticated flavors will make your friends and family feel truly special.

Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients for Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

  • 8 ounces very soft butter (2 sticks)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup corn starch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 4 tablespoons half and half (or milk)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Making Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

Preparing Your Baking Space

First things first, let’s get your baking space ready. You’ll want to line two sheet pans with parchment paper and set them aside. This helps ensure a clean and non-stick surface for your cookies. Having everything organized makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable!

Mixing the Dough

In a medium-size mixing bowl, you’ll combine the very soft butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula, mixing until the mixture is nice and smooth. It should feel fluffy and delightful, making you look forward to the next steps.

Incorporating Dry Ingredients

Now it’s time to add the all-purpose flour, corn starch, and salt to the bowl. Stir until the flour is completely incorporated, and your dough looks shaggy. This is the point where you’ll turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and guide it into a nice ball.

Shaping the Cookies

Once you’ve created a smooth ball, knead the dough a few times until it feels silky. Then, flatten it down into a disk shape. On your floured surface, you can roll out the dough to about a ⅜-inch thickness. It’s fun to cut out your desired egg shapes and place them on the prepared pans. Don’t worry if you have any scraps — just re-roll and cut again!

Chilling the Cookies

Here comes a crucial part: refrigerate the cookie cutouts for at least one hour, but if you have the time, you can chill them for up to 24 hours. This step is essential because it helps the cookies hold their shape while they bake, ensuring that they look as good as they taste.

Baking to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F. With your chilled cookie cutouts ready, it’s time to bake! Pop them into the oven for 12-14 minutes, or until they just start to turn golden at the edges. Be sure to rotate the pans halfway through to achieve even baking. Once done, let the cookies cool completely before adding any icing.

Creating the Glaze

Now for the fun part! In a medium bowl, mix together 2 cups of powdered sugar, half and half (or milk), and the remaining vanilla extract until the mixture turns smooth. You want it to be thick yet pourable, so adjust with more half and half if needed. Just make sure to taste-test that sweetness!

Glazing the Cookies

To glaze, simply hold a cookie by its edges and dip the top into the glaze. Make sure to coat it entirely. Let any excess glaze drip back into the bowl. Set the cookie upright and jiggle it gently for that perfect finish. If you feel extra festive, you can top them with sprinkles! Repeat until all cookies are glazed. Let them dry for at least 30 minutes or if you plan to stack them, give them 4-6 hours.

Serving Suggestions

These delightful cookies are meant to be savored! Serve them alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee for a lovely afternoon treat. Alternatively, pop them into a colorful basket as part of your Easter brunch spread. Their beautiful designs and sweet flavors make them a centerpiece worthy of discussions at any gathering.

Tips for Success

  • Room temperature butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Chilling is key: Don’t skip the chilling step; it’s what gives these cookies their perfect texture and shape.
  • High-quality vanilla: Using a high-quality vanilla extract really boosts the flavor.

Variations

Want to mix things up? You can definitely try using lemon or almond extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor profile. Additionally, decorating with edible glitter can add a sparkly touch to make them even more festive!

Storage Tips

Once you’ve made these scrumptious cookies, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, they freeze well, too! Just layer them carefully with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

FAQs

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Using margarine may alter the texture and flavor. Butter is recommended for the best results.

2. How can I make the glaze more colorful?
Simply add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze and mix until you reach the desired color.

3. What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze them for extended freshness.

4. Can I use cookie cutters for different shapes?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any cookie cutter shape you love to celebrate the season.

5. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for a slight golden edge; the cookies should feel firm but not overly browned.

These Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies are a fantastic way to enjoy the delightful spirit of spring! With their buttery richness, sweet shapes, and beautiful decorations, they make perfect gifts and eye-catching additions to any festive spread. Whether shared with family or wrapped as personal treats, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and create lasting memories during your Easter celebrations. So, gather your ingredients, get baking, and enjoy each delicious bite!

More Easy Desserts Recipes:

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

📖 Recipe Card

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

These Easy Easter Shortbread Cookies are a delightful treat for spring! Their buttery flavor, crisp texture, and charming egg shape make them perfect for any festive occasion.

  • Total Time: 44 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces very soft butter (2 sticks)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup corn starch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 4 tablespoons half and half (or milk)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

  • Prepare baking pans by lining with parchment paper.
  • Mix soft butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Add flour, corn starch, and salt; mix until incorporated.
  • Knead dough into a smooth ball and roll out to ⅜-inch thickness.
  • Cut dough into egg shapes and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F and bake cookies for 12-14 minutes.
  • Let cookies cool and prepare glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
  • Dip cookies in glaze and allow to dry.

Notes

Ensure butter is at room temperature for best mixing.
Chilling the cookie cutouts is essential for maintaining shape.
Use high-quality vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.

  • Author: jesseca
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

You might also like these recipes

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star