Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting – The Ultimate Easter Treat
Easter is a time for joy, family gatherings, and of course, delicious treats. Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting make for the ultimate Easter dessert that everyone will love. These charming cookies are not only visually appealing but also incredibly tasty, thanks to the buttery sugar cookie base topped with creamy, colorful frosting.
Why You’ll Love This Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
There’s plenty to love about these cookies! First, they bring a festive spirit to your Easter celebrations. Their cute bunny shape is perfect for kids and adults alike, making them ideal for gatherings, classrooms, or even as gifts. The combination of a soft sugar cookie with rich buttercream frosting adds an irresistible sweetness that’s hard to resist. Plus, decorating these cookies can become a fun family activity that sparks creativity and brings everyone together.
How to Make Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Gel food coloring (pastel pink, yellow, blue, purple)
- Colored sanding sugar
- Small chocolate chips or black decorating gel (for eyes)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until well combined.
Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up for easier rolling.
Preheat the Oven: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Shape the Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use a bunny-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Once baked, remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup of softened butter until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1–2 tablespoons of milk. Beat until fluffy and well combined.
Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each bowl with pastel gel food coloring of your choice.
Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, use a spatula to spread a thick layer of buttercream frosting over each cookie. While the frosting is still wet, sprinkle colored sanding sugar on top and add small chocolate chips or use black decorating gel for the eyes.
Allow to Set: Let the frosting set for a little while before serving or packaging them away.
How to Serve Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
Present these delightful cookies on a platter or in a decorative box to share at family gatherings, Easter egg hunts, or school events. Kids will love the playful shapes and vibrant colors, making them an exciting treat. Pair these cookies with milk or a sparkling beverage for a complete festive experience.
![image_2]
How to Store Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain tasty for up to a week. If you live in a humid area, it’s best to refrigerate them, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving. If you want to prepare them ahead of time, you can also freeze the undecorated cookies for up to three months.
Tips to Make Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Perfect
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter is softened and at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling the dough; this step is crucial to ensure the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Frosting Thickness: Adjust the milk in the frosting recipe to achieve the desired consistency. Thicker frosting is great for spreading, while thinner frosting can work for piping decorations.
Flavor Variations
Feel free to get creative with the flavors in your sugar cookies. You can add a teaspoon of almond extract or lemon zest to the dough for added depth. For the frosting, consider adding a splash of almond or coconut extract to elevate the flavor.
Pro Tips for Success
- Use gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring for vibrant shades that won’t alter the consistency of your frosting.
- Experiment with different cookie cutters to create a variety of shapes for other occasions.
- Consider using a combination of colored sanding sugars for a more festive look.
FAQs About Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
Q: Can I use refrigerated cookie dough?
A: Yes, store-bought refrigerated sugar cookie dough can work in a pinch. However, the flavor and texture may differ from homemade dough.
Q: How can I make the frosting vegan?
A: You can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and use non-dairy milk. Ensure your powdered sugar is also free from any animal products.
Q: What should I do if my cookies spread too much while baking?
A: If cookies spread too much, it’s likely due to warm dough or insufficient chilling. Always chill the dough and ensure your butter is softened but not melted.
Final Thoughts
Adorable Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting are the ultimate Easter treat that combines joy, creativity, and deliciousness all in one. With their vibrant colors and delightful flavors, these cookies will be the star of your holiday celebrations. Make some with your family this Easter and create sweet memories to cherish for years to come.
Peeps Bunny Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk Adjust for desired frosting consistency
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract For frosting
- Gel food coloring (pastel pink, yellow, blue, purple) For decorating
- Colored sanding sugar For decoration
- Small chocolate chips or black decorating gel For eyes
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until well combined.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
Baking
- While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use a bunny-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup of softened butter until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1–2 tablespoons of milk. Beat until fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into bowls and tint each with pastel gel food coloring.
- Once the cookies are cool, frost each cookie and sprinkle colored sanding sugar and add chocolate chips or black gel for eyes.
Final Steps
- Let the frosting set before serving or packaging.