Buttercream Bunny Cookies (Print Version)

Buttery bunny-shaped sugar cookies with silky buttercream frosting for spring celebrations.

# What You 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 (optional, pastel shades for decorating)

→ For Decorating

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 blended.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Do not 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 are just beginning to turn golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
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 create bunny faces if desired. Allow frosting to set before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cookie dough is incredibly forgiving and bakes up tender every single time
  • You can get as creative or simple as you want with the decorating part
  • These actually taste amazing unlike some cute cookies that are just for show
02 -
  • Chilling the dough is nonnegotiable or your bunnies will puff up and lose their adorable shapes
  • Wait until cookies are completely cool before frosting or it will melt right off
  • Gel food coloring gives you those soft pastel shades without thinning out the buttercream
03 -
  • Dip your cookie cutter in flour between cuts to keep the dough from sticking
  • Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking for evenly golden cookies
  • Substitute lemon extract for half the vanilla in the frosting for a bright spring twist

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