Buttercream Bunny Cookies (Printable)
Buttery sugar cookies shaped like bunnies with silky buttercream frosting
# What You’ll Need:
→ For the Cookies
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
→ For the 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, pastel shades (optional)
→ For Decorating
13 - Candy eyes, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles (optional)
# How to Prepare:
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, cream the butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the mixture.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
06 - Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, 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 are just beginning to turn golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, beating until smooth and spreadable. Tint portions with food coloring as desired.
10 - Frost cooled cookies with buttercream, using piping bags or spatulas. Decorate with candy eyes or sprinkles to make bunny faces if desired. Let frosting set before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cookie base stays tender for days, unlike so many cutout recipes that turn into cardboard
- Buttercream is forgiving enough for kids to decorate with while still looking elegant for adults
- The chilling step means you can make the dough ahead and bake whenever inspiration strikes
02 -
- Warm dough is the enemy of cute cookie shapes, so keep returning dough to the fridge if it gets sticky while rolling
- Buttercream sets faster than you expect, so decorate in batches rather than frosting all cookies at once
03 -
- Gel food coloring creates more vibrant pastels than liquid drops, which can thin out your frosting
- Chill decorated cookies for 15 minutes before stacking to set the buttercream completely