Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun & Festive: These mini cookie baskets are a charming and creative way to celebrate Easter with a treat that looks like a mini Easter basket!
- Kid-Friendly: Perfect for kids to help with, especially when it comes to pressing the dough and decorating the cupcakes.
- Customizable: You can easily change up the colors of the frosting or use different candy toppings to match your theme or preferences.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with store-bought sugar cookie dough and easy-to-make buttercream frosting, these are quick to prepare!
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Cups:
- 1 package Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough (flat package)
- For the Buttercream Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (or salted butter, if preferred)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 drops green food coloring (or any color you prefer)
- Pinch of salt (only if using unsalted butter)
- Toppings:
- Hershey’s chocolate eggs (or any egg-shaped candy like jelly beans or mini Cadbury eggs)
Directions
1. Prepare the Cookie Cups
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray two muffin pans (12 muffin wells each) with cooking spray.
Place one portion of cookie dough into each muffin well, and bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden around the edges.
2. Create the Basket Shape
Once the cookies are baked, use the bottom of a shot glass or small cup to gently press an indentation into each cookie. This will form the “nest” or “basket” shape of the cookie cups. Allow the cookies to cool completely in the pans.
3. Prepare the Frosting
While the cookies cool, make the frosting. Beat the butter until smooth, then gradually add the powdered sugar and continue mixing until fluffy. Add in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, food coloring, and salt (if using), and mix until the frosting is smooth and well-combined.
4. Decorate the Cookie Cups
Once the cookies are completely cooled, spoon or pipe the green frosting into the center of each cookie cup, filling it like the “grass” in a basket.
Top each cup with a few chocolate eggs (or your choice of candy).
5. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve these adorable Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups at your Easter celebration or as a fun treat for kids. Enjoy the sweet flavors of the cookie and frosting combined with the chocolate eggs!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookie cups (2 muffin pans with 12 wells each)
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 10-14 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Different Frosting Colors: Use pastel-colored food coloring to make these baskets even more festive and Easter-themed.
- Alternative Candies: Swap out the chocolate eggs for any of your favorite candy, like jelly beans or mini chocolate bunnies.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free sugar cookie dough if needed for a gluten-free version.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the decorated cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: If you prefer to refrigerate them, the frosting may firm up slightly, but they will still be delicious!
- Freezing: These cookie cups can be frozen before frosting. Store the un-decorated cups in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then decorate after thawing.
FAQs
Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough?
Yes, you can use any sugar cookie dough recipe you prefer. Just make sure to adjust baking time accordingly.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the frosting ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just bring it to room temperature before using.
Can I make these cookie cups without a muffin pan?
Yes, but the cookie cups will not have the basket shape. You could shape them into free-form nests on a baking sheet.
How do I prevent the frosting from melting in warm weather?
To prevent the frosting from melting, keep the cookie cups in a cool place or refrigerate them until you’re ready to serve.
Conclusion
Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are a delightful, fun, and easy treat that everyone will love. They’re perfect for Easter gatherings or any occasion where you want to bring a little festive cheer. The combination of the soft sugar cookie, creamy frosting, and chocolate eggs will make these a favorite for both kids and adults! Make them this Easter, and watch them disappear in no time!
Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups
These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are the perfect festive treat for Easter! Made with sugar cookie dough, colorful vanilla buttercream, and topped with chocolate eggs, these mini baskets are a fun, easy, and delicious addition to your holiday celebration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes 24 cookie cups (2 muffin pans with 12 wells each)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cookie Cups
- 1 package Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough (flat package)
For the Buttercream Frosting
- Unsalted butter – ½ cup (or salted butter, if preferred)
- Powdered sugar – 2 cups
- Heavy cream – 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Green food coloring – 1-2 drops (or any color you prefer)
- Pinch of salt (only if using unsalted butter)
Toppings
- Hershey’s chocolate eggs (or any egg-shaped candy like jelly beans or mini Cadbury eggs)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Cups
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray two muffin pans (12 muffin wells each) with cooking spray.
- Place one portion of cookie dough into each muffin well, then bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden around the edges.
2. Create the Basket Shape
- Once baked, use the bottom of a shot glass or small cup to gently press an indentation into each cookie to form the “nest” or “basket” shape.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely in the pans.
3. Prepare the Frosting
- While the cookies cool, beat the butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue mixing until fluffy.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, food coloring, and salt (if using), then mix until smooth and well-combined.
4. Decorate the Cookie Cups
- Once cooled, spoon or pipe the green frosting into the center of each cookie cup to create the “grass” of the basket.
- Top with a few chocolate eggs or your choice of candy for the perfect Easter touch!
5. Serve and Enjoy!
- Serve these adorable Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups at your Easter celebration or as a fun treat for kids. Enjoy the sweet combination of cookies, frosting, and chocolate eggs!
Notes
✅ Different Frosting Colors – Use pastel-colored food coloring to make these even more festive and Easter-themed.
✅ Alternative Candies – Swap chocolate eggs for jelly beans, mini chocolate bunnies, or other favorite Easter candies.
✅ Gluten-Free Option – Use gluten-free sugar cookie dough if needed for a gluten-free version.
✅ Flavored Frosting – Add lemon zest or orange extract for a fresh, citrusy twist to the frosting.
