Buttercream Bunny Cookies (Printable version)
Buttery bunny-shaped sugar cookies with creamy frosting, ideal for spring and Easter.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Buttercream Frosting
08 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3 cups powdered sugar
10 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
11 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
12 - Food coloring (optional, pastel shades for decorating)
→ Decorations
13 - Candy eyes, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles (optional for bunny faces)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the mixture.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
06 - Divide dough into two equal discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a bunny-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges just begin to turn golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and spreadable. Tint portions with food coloring as desired.
10 - Frost cooled cookies with buttercream using piping bags or spatulas. Add candy eyes or sprinkles to create bunny faces. Allow frosting to set before serving.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The dough is incredibly forgiving and rolls out beautifully without sticking
- Buttercream frosting stays silky smooth for hours of decorating fun
- These cookies bring out the kid in everyone who decorates them
02 -
- Chilling the dough is non-negotiable or your bunnies will lose their shape in the oven
- Overbaking by even one minute transforms these from tender to crunchy
- Frosting must be completely cooled cookies or it will melt into a sticky mess
03 -
- Rotate your baking sheets halfway through for evenly golden bunnies
- Sift powdered sugar twice for the smoothest buttercream imaginable