Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are a fun and festive treat perfect for spring celebrations. These adorable cookie cups look like mini Easter baskets, filled with colorful frosting, candy eggs, and festive decorations. They are easy to make, delicious to eat, and a great addition to any Easter gathering.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to make the best Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups, including key ingredients and their roles, preparation time, step-by-step instructions, presentation tips, creative twists, pro customization tips, and frequently asked questions.

Key Ingredients and Their Roles

Each ingredient in Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups plays an important role in making these treats flavorful, soft, and visually appealing.

All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure and stability to the cookie cups.
Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create a soft texture.
Unsalted Butter – Gives richness and a soft, buttery flavor.
Egg – Binds the dough together and adds moisture.
Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the cookie dough.
Baking Powder – Helps the cookie cups rise slightly and maintain a light texture.
Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.

Filling and Decorations

Buttercream or Cream Cheese Frosting – Acts as the “grass” in the Easter basket.
Green Food Coloring – Gives the frosting a grass-like appearance.
Candy Eggs (Mini Chocolate Eggs or Jelly Beans) – The “eggs” inside the Easter baskets.
Shredded Coconut (Optional) – Can be dyed green and used as edible grass.
Licorice Ropes or Pretzels – Used as handles for the cookie cups to resemble baskets.

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Decorating Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Frosting and Decorations

1 cup butter (softened) or cream cheese
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
Green food coloring
Mini chocolate eggs or jelly beans
Shredded coconut (optional)
Licorice ropes or pretzels (optional)

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a mini muffin tin to prevent sticking.
Mix dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar – In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla – Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Combine dry and wet ingredients – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.

Form cookie dough balls – Roll the dough into small balls (about 1-inch in diameter) and place each into a greased mini muffin tin.
Press into shape – Use a spoon or your fingers to gently press the dough into the shape of a cup.
Bake for 10-12 minutes – The edges should be golden brown but not overly crisp.
Create the cup shape – As soon as they come out of the oven, use the back of a spoon or a small measuring cup to press down the centers to reinforce the cup shape.
Cool completely – Let the cookie cups cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Frosting

Beat the butter or cream cheese – In a bowl, beat the butter (or cream cheese) until smooth and fluffy.
Add powdered sugar – Gradually mix in powdered sugar until fully combined.
Add vanilla and food coloring – Stir in vanilla extract and a few drops of green food coloring.
Adjust consistency – If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Pipe the frosting into the cookie cups – Use a piping bag fitted with a grass tip to pipe the green frosting to resemble grass.
Add candy eggs – Place mini chocolate eggs or jelly beans on top of the frosting.
Optional: Add edible grass – If using shredded coconut, dye it green and sprinkle it over the frosting.
Attach handles – Use licorice ropes or pretzels to create handles, pressing them into the sides of the cookie cups.

Chill the dough – If the dough is too soft, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading.
Use a non-stick muffin tin – This ensures easy removal of the cookie cups.
Do not overbake – Remove from the oven as soon as the edges turn golden to keep them soft.
Press the cups down immediately after baking – This helps maintain their shape.

Presentation Tips

Use pastel-colored cupcake liners – This enhances the Easter theme.
Serve on a decorative Easter platter – A festive presentation makes them more inviting.
Sprinkle with edible glitter – Adds a touch of sparkle for a fun Easter vibe.

Creative Twists

Chocolate Cookie Cups – Replace ½ cup of flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate version.
Lemon Sugar Cookie Cups – Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a fresh citrus twist.
Peanut Butter Filling – Instead of frosting, fill the cups with peanut butter mousse.
Carrot Cake Version – Use a spiced cookie dough and fill with cream cheese frosting.

Pro Tip for Customization

For a healthier version, replace half of the butter with applesauce, use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour, and substitute honey for some of the sugar.

FAQs

Yes! You can bake the cookie cups 2-3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container. Decorate them just before serving.

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Yes! Store undecorated cookie cups in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and decorate when needed.

Absolutely! If you’re short on time, pre-made cookie dough can be a great shortcut.

How do I make these dairy-free?

Use dairy-free butter and a dairy-free frosting substitute like coconut cream frosting.

Conclusion

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are a festive, fun, and delicious treat that captures the spirit of Easter. With a buttery sugar cookie base, creamy frosting, and colorful decorations, these bite-sized baskets are perfect for any celebration. Try different variations, get creative with decorations, and enjoy making these adorable treats with family and friends!