These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are the perfect festive treat to celebrate spring! Buttery sugar cookie cups serve as the adorable “baskets,” filled with creamy vanilla buttercream and topped with candy eggs. The pastel colors and fun presentation make them a hit at Easter gatherings, brunches, or as a delightful surprise in a child’s Easter basket.
Not only are these cookie cups incredibly cute, but they’re also easy to make! With just a few simple ingredients and a muffin tin, you can create a batch of these charming, bite-sized treats. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing an elegant dessert display, these Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
Full Recipe:
- 1 package (16 oz) Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 bags (9 oz each) Hershey’s Egg Candies (or similar)
- Green food coloring
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Separate the cookie dough and place one piece into each muffin tin well.
- Bake for 10-14 minutes until lightly golden.
- Immediately after baking, press the center of each cookie cup with a shot glass or spice jar to create a small “basket” indentation.
- Let the cookies cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing them.
- In a mixing bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing after each addition.
- Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, then mix until smooth. Add green food coloring and blend until the desired shade is achieved.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a large star tip. Pipe the frosting into each cookie cup.
- Top with 3 chocolate egg candies per cup. Serve and enjoy!
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 213 kcal | Servings: 12 cookie cups
Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups – The Perfect Festive Treat
Easter is a time for family, fun, and of course, delicious treats. One of the most delightful and visually appealing desserts you can make for the holiday is Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups. These bite-sized confections are a combination of soft, buttery sugar cookies and fluffy buttercream frosting, all topped with colorful candy eggs to resemble tiny Easter baskets.
Perfect for kids and adults alike, these cookie cups are simple to make, easy to customize, and make a stunning addition to any Easter dessert table. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, filling Easter baskets, or just want a festive snack, these sweet treats will bring joy to your holiday celebration.
Why You’ll Love Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups
These cookie cups are more than just adorable; they’re a delicious combination of textures and flavors that make them irresistible. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Fun and Festive Presentation: The pastel-colored frosting and chocolate egg toppings make these treats look just like mini Easter baskets.
- Easy to Make: With the help of pre-made sugar cookie dough, you can whip these up in no time.
- Kid-Friendly: Let the little ones help decorate by piping the frosting and adding their favorite candy eggs.
- Customizable: Change the frosting color, swap out the candies, or even use different flavors of cookie dough for variety.
- Perfect for Parties: These are great for Easter brunch, dessert tables, or gifting in holiday treat bags.
Tips for Making the Best Sugar Cookie Cups
While these cookie cups are simple to prepare, a few extra tips can help ensure they turn out perfectly every time.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies should be lightly golden and just set when you remove them from the oven. Overbaking can lead to dry, crumbly cups.
- Create the “Basket” Shape While Warm: Pressing the center of the cookies right after baking while they’re still soft will give you the perfect indentation for filling.
- Use a Piping Bag for Neat Frosting: A piping bag with a large tip will create a smooth, professional look for the buttercream frosting. If you don’t have a piping bag, a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off works just as well.
- Let the Cookies Cool Completely Before Frosting: Warm cookies can cause the frosting to melt, so make sure they’re fully cooled before decorating.
- Choose High-Quality Candy Eggs: Cadbury Mini Eggs, Reese’s Eggs, or pastel M&M’s work beautifully for this recipe, but you can also use jelly beans for a fun twist.
Customization Ideas for Easter Basket Cookie Cups
One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can easily adjust the ingredients, colors, and decorations to match your personal preference or event theme.
- Frosting Colors: While green is traditionally used to mimic grass, you can use pink, yellow, blue, or even a swirl of pastel colors for a fun effect.
- Different Cookie Dough: Although sugar cookie dough is the classic choice, you can use chocolate chip, peanut butter, or even snickerdoodle dough for a unique variation.
- Candy Toppings: Instead of chocolate eggs, try using gummy bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, or even mini chocolate bunnies for a different look.
- Sprinkles and Edible Glitter: Add extra sparkle with pastel sprinkles or edible glitter to make these cookie cups even more eye-catching.
- Filled Cookie Cups: For an extra surprise, add a small amount of melted chocolate or caramel inside the cookie cups before adding the frosting.
How to Store and Make Ahead
If you’re planning for a big Easter celebration, you’ll be happy to know that these cookie cups can be made ahead of time and stored easily.
- Unfrosted Cookie Cups: You can bake the sugar cookie cups in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Frosted and Decorated Cups: Once decorated, these cookie cups should be stored in a cool, dry place and consumed within 2-3 days for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing Instructions: If you want to prepare these well in advance, freeze the unfrosted cookie cups in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw at room temperature before decorating.
- Avoid Refrigeration: The frosting may become too firm and lose its creamy texture if stored in the refrigerator, so it’s best to keep them at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These sugar cookie cups are delicious on their own, but they pair well with other festive Easter treats and beverages.
- Easter Brunch Spread: Serve alongside other spring-themed desserts like carrot cake cupcakes, lemon bars, or coconut macaroons.
- Pair with a Warm Beverage: These cookies go wonderfully with a cup of hot tea, coffee, or warm milk for a cozy treat.
- Create a Dessert Board: Arrange them on a tray with other Easter sweets like chocolate bunnies, pastel-colored candies, and marshmallow treats for a stunning Easter dessert board.
- Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package them in clear treat bags tied with pastel ribbon for a beautiful homemade Easter gift.
Why These Cookie Cups Are a Hit at Easter Gatherings
These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are more than just a sweet treat—they’re a conversation starter, a fun family activity, and a way to add a special homemade touch to your holiday festivities. Their charming appearance makes them a centerpiece-worthy dessert, and their delicious taste ensures they’ll be devoured in no time.
Whether you’re making them for a classroom party, an Easter egg hunt, or simply to enjoy with your loved ones, these delightful cookie cups will be a favorite year after year. They capture the joy and spirit of Easter in every bite, making them a must-have addition to your holiday baking list.
Conclusion
Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are the ultimate festive treat for the holiday season. With their adorable presentation, simple preparation, and delicious combination of textures, they are a joy to make and share. Whether you’re baking with kids, serving them at an Easter gathering, or gifting them to friends, these cookie cups bring a touch of sweetness and creativity to the celebration.
So, grab your muffin tin, your favorite candies, and get ready to whip up a batch of these delightful Easter treats. They’re guaranteed to bring smiles and make your holiday just a little bit sweeter!