Easter is a time for bright colors, fun traditions, and, of course, delicious treats.

These adorable Easter bunny face sugar cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season with a simple design that’s incredibly fun to decorate. They bring a touch of whimsy to any Easter basket or dessert table.

This recipe is designed for families to enjoy together, making memories in the kitchen as you transform simple sugar cookies into charming bunny faces. It’s a delightful activity that results in a sweet reward everyone will love.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe for Easter bunny face sugar cookies is a true winner because it’s built for ease and enjoyment. It’s perfect for busy parents who want to create something special for Easter without spending hours in the kitchen, and it’s fantastic for introducing kids to the joy of baking and decorating. The simple design means even little hands can help, fostering creativity and a sense of accomplishment. These cookies are ideal for school parties, family gatherings, or just a fun afternoon activity at home. They’re sweet, festive, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s faces, making them a staple for your annual Easter celebration.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the baking process smooth and enjoyable. This recipe uses readily available items you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any grocery store. We’re focusing on a classic sugar cookie base that’s sturdy enough for decorating but still delightfully tender.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons milk (or water)
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for icing)
Food coloring (pink, black, or gel colors for details)
Small round candies (for noses, like pink M&M’s or jelly beans)
Black edible marker (optional, for eyes and whiskers)

For the butter, using unsalted allows you to control the salt content precisely, but if you only have salted, you can reduce the added salt in the recipe by half. Any brand of all-purpose flour will work well here. When it comes to food coloring, gel colors tend to give more vibrant results without thinning the icing as much as liquid colors. If you don’t have almond extract, don’t worry; the vanilla extract in the cookie and icing will provide plenty of flavor.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed to be efficient, allowing you to create beautiful cookies without a huge time commitment.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes (minimum, for the dough)
Baking time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Cooling time: 15-20 minutes
Decorating time: 30-45 minutes (depending on detail and number of decorators)
Total estimated time: Approximately 2 hours (including chilling and decorating)

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating these charming bunny face sugar cookies is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.

Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. The color will lighten, and the texture will become airy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture might look a little curdled at this stage, but don’t worry, it will come together with the dry ingredients.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is crucial; it prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and makes them easier to handle.
Roll and Cut the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and a rolling pin. Roll out one disc of chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (about 2-3 inches in diameter) to cut out the bunny faces. For the ears, use a smaller oval cutter or carefully cut small ear shapes from dough scraps. Place the cutouts on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, attaching two ear shapes to the top of each round cookie, gently pressing them into place.
Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Icing and Decorate: While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or water), and optional almond extract until smooth. The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread. Divide a small amount of icing into a separate bowl and tint it pink for the inner ears and nose. Use the white icing to cover the entire cookie surface. Once the white icing is set (about 15-20 minutes), pipe or carefully paint on the pink inner ear details. Attach a small round candy for the nose. Use a black edible marker or a tiny brush with black food coloring to draw eyes and whiskers. Let the decorated cookies set completely before stacking or storing.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

These bunny face sugar cookies are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a simple variation, instead of traditional royal icing, you could use a basic glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice for a tangy twist. For a chocolate lover’s version, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the cookie dough or drizzle melted chocolate over the finished, iced cookies.

When it comes to serving, these cookies are perfect on their own as a sweet treat. Arrange them on a festive platter for an Easter brunch or dessert table. They also make wonderful edible gifts; package them in clear cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon. For a fun family activity, bake the cookies ahead of time and then set up a decorating station with various icings, sprinkles, and candies, letting everyone unleash their inner artist. Kids especially love adding their own unique touches, like colorful sprinkles for “fur” or different candy eyes.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can save you time and frustration.

Dough Spreading Too Much: This is often caused by warm dough or not enough flour. Ensure your butter is softened, not melted, and always chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. If your kitchen is warm, you might need to chill the dough longer or work in smaller batches, returning unused dough to the fridge.
Tough Cookies: Overmixing the dough is the usual culprit here. Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Excessive mixing develops the gluten, leading to a tougher texture.
Icing That’s Too Runny or Too Thick: The consistency of your icing is key for decorating. If it’s too runny, it will drip off the cookies; add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thick, it will be hard to spread or pipe; add milk or water a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Aim for an icing that flows smoothly but holds its shape.
Cracked Icing: This can happen if the icing dries too quickly or if it’s applied too thickly. Ensure your cookies are completely cool before icing. If you’re using royal icing, a small amount of corn syrup can help prevent cracking.
Cookies Sticking to the Baking Sheet: Always use parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier, ensuring your beautifully shaped cookies come off the tray intact.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

Proper storage is essential to keep your adorable Easter bunny face sugar cookies fresh and delicious. Once the icing has completely set (this can take several hours, or even overnight, depending on humidity), store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and protect the decorations. They will stay fresh for up to 5-7 days.

If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, you have a few options. The unbaked cookie dough can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. If freezing, thaw the dough in

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.