Easter Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Soft and thick Easter Sugar Cookies made with cream cheese for a tender texture, topped with green buttercream frosting and decorated like festive Easter nests. These delicious cookies combine a rich, creamy dough with a smooth, colorful frosting perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Easter Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 large egg
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 3¾ cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup butter, room temperature
- Pinch of salt
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 2–3 drops green food coloring
Decorations
- Candy eggs, sprinkles, or colored coconut (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Beat softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, almond extract, and egg together until smooth and fluffy.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the dough: Cover and chill the dough for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator or about 45 minutes in the freezer until firm.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape cookies: Scoop dough into balls, lightly coat with flour, flatten to about ½ inch thick and 2½ inches wide, placing about 6 cookies per baking sheet spaced apart.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until cookie tops lose their shine and bottoms turn lightly golden. Cool briefly on the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat butter for frosting until creamy, then mix in salt, green food coloring, and 2 tablespoons of milk.
- Add powdered sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed until incorporated, then beat for about 2 minutes. Add additional milk as needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Frost and decorate: Frost completely cooled cookies and decorate with candy eggs, sprinkles, or colored coconut to resemble Easter nests.
Notes
- Use fully softened butter and cream cheese and a room-temperature egg for smooth mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Unbaked dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Baked unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Frosting can be refrigerated for 3–5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Rewhip after thawing if needed.
- Decorated cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days.
- Decorate with chocolate eggs or any preferred Easter candy for a festive look.
Keywords: Easter sugar cookies, cream cheese sugar cookies, Easter desserts, holiday cookies, buttercream frosting, festive cookies