Creating the perfect Mother’s Day Cookies is a delightful way to show your love. There’s something special about combining tasty flavors with vibrant colors, and it truly captures the essence of this celebration. You’ll find that this recipe uses a classic cut-out sugar cookie base, which is not only easy to prepare but also allows for endless creativity when it comes to decorating. With smooth vanilla buttercream frosting and fun gel food colors, these cookies will be not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes.
Now, think about how fun it would be to spend time in the kitchen with your family, shaping dough and adding colorful icing to your creations. These Mother’s Day Cookies are perfect for that! Each cookie can reflect your mom’s personality. The best part? Making these cookies is not just about baking; it’s about bonding and creating memories with loved ones. Trust me; you and your family will enjoy every moment.
Why This Recipe Works
Creating the perfect Mother’s Day Cookies involves a delightful blend of flavors and aesthetics. This recipe leverages a classic cut-out sugar cookie base paired with a smooth vanilla buttercream frosting. The use of gel food coloring ensures vibrant hues that will not only taste delicious but also look visually appealing, capturing the essence of this special celebration.
Why You’ll Love This Mother’s Day Cookies
Mother’s Day is a time to show appreciation, and what better way to express love than through homemade cookies? These Mother’s Day Cookies aren’t just a sweet treat; they’re a heartfelt gesture. Their customizable nature allows you to create unique designs that reflect your mother’s personality. Plus, the simple and fun decorating process provides bonding time for the family.

Ingredients
- For the Cut Out Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
For the Vanilla Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Gel food coloring, assorted colors
Decorating Cookies: Preparing Icing

Separate and Color Icings
Start by portioning the vanilla buttercream into smaller bowls for coloring. Choose your desired gel food coloring and mix well, ensuring each bowl has evenly distributed color.
Fill Piping Bags
Transfer the colored icings into piping bags. For background colors, cut larger openings in the bag tips. For detailing work, keep the openings small to have better control. If icing is too thick, gently roll the piping bag between your hands to warm it up slightly.
Start with Background Colors
Begin decorating by applying background colors on each cookie. Outline the cookie’s edge, filling in the center. This base layer will establish the design for the rest of your cookie decoration.
Add Decorative Details
Once the background layer is dry, use the smaller tip to add finer details such as flower petals or additional designs. Building your cookie design in layers allows colors to pop and provides a more professional finish.
Storage Tips for Cookies
After decorating, store cookies in a single layer in a sealed food-safe container. These cookies can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days, or you can refrigerate them for up to a week to maintain freshness without compromising artwork.
Tips for Success
- Always sift powdered sugar before mixing to avoid lumps in your buttercream.
- Stick to gel food coloring for the best color payoff without affecting icing consistency.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
Variations on Mother’s Day Cookies
- Flavored Icings: Experiment with different flavors in your buttercream, such as almond or lemon.
- Chocolate Cookies: Substitute a portion of the flour with cocoa powder for delicious chocolate-flavored cookies.
- Shape Variations: Use various cookie cutters to create themed shapes like hearts, flowers, or stars.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Mother’s Day Cookies as a delightful treat during brunch with a glass of milk or coffee. They also make fantastic gifts when wrapped in decorative packaging, perfect for sharing love and sweetness!

FAQs
1. Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, you can freeze undecorated cookies. Once cooled, layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container.
2. How long can I keep the decorated cookies?
Decorated cookies can be stored for up to one week in a sealed container at room temperature.
3. What’s the best way to color the icing?
Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides vibrant colors without altering the consistency of the icing.
4. Can I use a different type of flour?
All-purpose flour is suggested, but whole wheat flour can be used for a healthier alternative, though it may change the texture slightly.
5. What is the best way to transport the cookies?
Use flat containers or cookie boxes for safe transport, ensuring cookies do not touch each other to prevent smudging the designs.
Baking these Mother’s Day Cookies is not only a joyful experience but also a memorable gift that celebrates your mom’s special day. With easy-to-follow steps and creative freedom in decoration, you can make these cookies a delightful expression of love. Share them at your Mother’s Day brunch or package them beautifully to show appreciation, making sure each bite carries the warmth of your affection. Enjoy every moment spent baking and decorating with family!
Print
Mother’s Day Cookies
These Mother’s Day Cookies are a wonderful way to celebrate love and creativity. With a classic cut-out sugar cookie base, topped with smooth vanilla buttercream, they are both visually appealing and delicious, making them perfect for family bonding and special moments.
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Gel food coloring, assorted colors
Instructions
- Prepare the sugar cookie dough by mixing all the ingredients and chilling it.
- Roll out the dough and cut it into desired shapes.
- Bake the cookies until lightly golden and cool completely.
- Prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting and divide it into bowls for coloring.
- Fill piping bags with the colored icing and start decorating the cookies.
- Allow the decorated cookies to dry before storing them.
Notes
Sift powdered sugar before mixing to avoid lumps in buttercream.
Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without affecting icing consistency.
Ensure cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 21
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 25