These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are the perfect festive dessert to brighten up your holiday table! The crisp, golden sugar cookie base is shaped into a tiny basket, making the perfect vessel for fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting. With a delicate swirl of pastel green frosting and a trio of chocolate eggs nestled on top, these treats capture the essence of springtime sweetness.
Not only are they incredibly easy to make, but they’re also a hit with kids and adults alike! Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, planning a fun baking day with family, or looking for a delightful way to use up holiday candy, these cookie cups are a must try. Customize them with different frosting colors or candies to match your celebration theme!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 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
- Green food coloring (a few drops)
- 2 bags (9 oz each) Hershey’s Egg Candies or any egg shaped candy
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a 12 cup muffin tin with non stick baking spray.
- Separate the pre cut sugar cookie dough squares and place one in each muffin cup.
- Bake for 10-14 minutes, until the cookies are lightly golden.
- Immediately after baking, use the bottom of a shot glass or a spice jar to press down the center of each cookie to form a nest shape.
- Let the cookie cups cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream, then beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. If needed, adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar or cream.
- Mix in green food coloring until the desired shade is reached.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip. Pipe the frosting into each cookie cup.
- Top each cookie cup with three chocolate eggs and optional pastel sprinkles for extra decoration.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 213 kcal per serving | Servings: 12 cookie cups
Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups: A Fun & Festive Holiday Treat
Spring is in the air, and Easter is just around the corner! That means it’s time to start thinking about festive treats that are not only delicious but also fun to make. If you’re looking for an easy, adorable, and crowd pleasing dessert, look no further than Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups.
These sweet little cookie cups combine the crisp, buttery goodness of sugar cookies with the rich creaminess of buttercream frosting. Topped with colorful chocolate eggs, they mimic the look of miniature Easter baskets making them the perfect addition to your holiday dessert spread. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting an Easter brunch, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookie cups are sure to be a hit.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are more than just a cute dessert. They’re an excellent way to add a festive touch to your holiday celebrations without spending hours in the kitchen. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
- Quick & Easy: This recipe uses store bought sugar cookie dough, eliminating the need to mix and chill dough from scratch. It’s a great shortcut for busy home bakers!
- Perfect for Kids: Children love to help in the kitchen, and this recipe is simple enough for them to participate in. From pressing the dough into muffin tins to decorating with colorful candies, there’s plenty of hands on fun.
- Completely Customizable: You can personalize these cookie cups with different food coloring shades, various types of chocolate eggs, or even alternative fillings.
- Great for Parties: These bite sized treats are ideal for Easter gatherings, school events, or springtime celebrations. They make for beautiful centerpieces on dessert tables and are easy to grab and enjoy.
Tips for Perfect Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups
Even though this recipe is simple, there are a few tricks to ensure the best possible results:
1. Don’t Overbake the Cookies
The sugar cookie cups should be lightly golden when they come out of the oven. Overbaking can lead to a hard, crumbly texture, making it difficult to remove them from the muffin pan. Start with the lowest suggested baking time and adjust as needed.
2. Use the Right Tool to Create the Basket Shape
To get that perfect “basket” indentation in the center of each cookie cup, use the bottom of a shot glass, a spice jar, or a small round measuring cup. Press gently while the cookies are still warm to form the perfect nest shape for the frosting.
3. Let the Cookie Cups Cool Completely
Adding buttercream frosting to warm cookies will cause it to melt and lose its shape. Be patient and allow the cookies to cool thoroughly before decorating. If you’re short on time, you can place the baked cookie cups in the fridge for faster cooling.
4. Get Creative with Food Coloring
Traditionally, green food coloring is used for the buttercream frosting to resemble grass inside the baskets. However, you can experiment with pastel shades like pink, blue, or yellow to match different Easter themes.
5. Choose Your Favorite Easter Candies
While chocolate eggs are a classic topping, you can also try jelly beans, mini marshmallows, or pastel colored sprinkles. If you want a peanut butter twist, swap the Hershey’s Eggs for Reese’s Mini Eggs.
Variations to Try
If you love the idea of these sugar cookie cups but want to switch things up, here are some variations you can try:
1. Chocolate Lover’s Version
For a chocolatey twist, use chocolate cookie dough instead of sugar cookie dough. You can also add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the frosting for an extra decadent touch.
2. Cream Cheese Frosting Alternative
Instead of buttercream, try filling your cookie cups with a tangy cream cheese frosting. It adds a slightly tart contrast to the sweet cookie base.
3. Lemon Buttercream for a Zesty Flavor
If you enjoy citrus flavors, mix in a teaspoon of lemon zest and a few drops of lemon extract into your frosting. This brightens the flavor and makes the dessert feel even more spring like.
4. Coconut Nest Cookie Cups
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle shredded coconut (dyed green with food coloring) over the frosting to create a grass like effect. This adds a bit of texture and enhances the visual appeal.
5. Dairy-Free & Vegan Adaptation
To make these cookie cups dairy free, use a plant based sugar cookie dough, dairy free butter, and a non dairy milk alternative like coconut cream for the frosting. Opt for vegan chocolate eggs or fruit based toppings.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
One of the best things about this recipe is how well it stores. Here’s how to keep your cookie cups fresh:
- Unfrosted Cookie Cups: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Frosted Cookie Cups: Once decorated, they are best enjoyed within three days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Freezing Option: You can freeze unfrosted cookie cups for up to three months. Let them thaw at room temperature before adding frosting and decorations.
If you’re preparing these for a party, it’s best to bake the cookie cups a day in advance and frost them on the day of serving. This keeps the frosting fresh and prevents the cookies from softening too much.
Why These Cookie Cups Are a Must-Make for Easter
Easter is all about celebrating renewal, family time, and (of course) delicious treats. These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups embody the joy of the season with their playful appearance and delightful flavors. They’re an easy way to bring smiles to the table, whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, attending a family gathering, or just looking for a fun baking activity to do with kids.
Beyond Easter, these cookie cups can also be adapted for other holidays. Change up the frosting colors and candy toppings for Christmas, Halloween, or birthdays. Their versatility makes them a staple recipe you’ll want to return to throughout the year.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a fun and festive dessert that’s easy to make and sure to impress, these Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are the perfect choice. With their buttery cookie base, creamy frosting, and colorful candy topping, they bring the joy of Easter straight to your dessert table.
Not only are they delicious, but they’re also a fantastic way to get creative in the kitchen. Kids will love decorating them, and guests will appreciate the beautiful presentation. Plus, with all the variations and customization options available, you can make them uniquely your own.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to enjoy a batch of these delightful Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups. Happy Easter and happy baking!