Springtime calls for colorful, cheerful treats, and these Easter Basket Cookie Cups are the perfect way to celebrate! With a buttery sugar cookie base, piped buttercream grass, and festive Easter candies, they bring all the sweetness of the season into a single bite. The addition of licorice handles gives them an adorable basket-like appearance, making them as fun to display as they are to eat. These delightful cookie cups are ideal for Easter gatherings, springtime parties, or a fun baking project with kids. They offer a delicious blend of textures soft cookie, creamy frosting, and crunchy candy making them irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether you’re serving them as a show-stopping dessert or gifting them to loved ones, these mini Easter baskets will add a magical touch to any celebration.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 roll Pillsbury Ready To Bake Sugar Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring (Wilton green gel paste)
- 16 mini chocolate bunnies (such as Ghirardelli Chocolate Caramel Bunnies)
- 1/2 cup Cadbury Mini Eggs or similar candy-coated chocolates
- 8 Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel Licorice (fruit punch flavor), separated into strands
- Optional: Nerds Rope or other colorful licorice twists for handles
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a silicone mini Bundt pan (or mini muffin pan).
- Cut 8 squares of cookie dough in half. Place 1 full square and 1 half square (or about 1 1/2 tbsp of homemade sugar cookie dough) into each cavity.
- Place the silicone pan on a baking sheet for stability and bake for 15-19 minutes for mini Bundt pans (or 12-14 minutes for mini muffin pans).
- Allow the cookie cups to cool completely before removing them from the pan.
- In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and shortening until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth consistency. Stir in vanilla extract and green food coloring.
- Fill a pastry bag fitted with Wilton tip #233 and pipe buttercream grass into each cookie cup.
- Press the ends of the licorice strands into the frosting to create basket handles. If needed, let the licorice sit under a heavy object for an hour to help flatten.
- Place a chocolate bunny in the center and add candy eggs for decoration.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 19 minutes | Total Time: 34 minutes
Kcal: 435 kcal | Servings: 16 cookie cups
Why You’ll Love These Easter Basket Cookie Cups
These cookie cups are more than just a fun baking project; they bring a combination of flavors and textures that make them irresistible. Here’s why they stand out as a must-try Easter dessert:
1. They Are Visually Stunning
The pastel colors of Easter candies combined with the vibrant green buttercream “grass” create a picture-perfect dessert. These cookie cups look like miniature Easter baskets, making them an excellent choice for decorating your dessert table.
2. A Simple Recipe with a Big Impact
Despite their fancy appearance, these cookie cups are surprisingly easy to make. By using pre-made sugar cookie dough, you eliminate the need to mix and chill homemade dough, cutting down on prep time. The buttercream frosting is also straightforward to prepare and pipe, even for beginners.
3. Customizable to Your Preference
The great thing about this recipe is that you can customize the decorations to fit your preferences. While the recipe calls for chocolate bunnies and Cadbury Mini Eggs, you can swap them out for jelly beans, marshmallow chicks, or any of your favorite Easter candies. You can even experiment with different frosting colors to create a variety of spring-themed baskets.
4. Perfect for Kids and Families
This recipe is an excellent activity for kids. From rolling the cookie dough to decorating the baskets, children will love getting hands-on in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to spend quality time together while making a treat everyone will enjoy. Plus, kids can get creative with the toppings and design their own unique Easter baskets!
5. Ideal for Easter Gatherings and Gifting
These cookie cups make for a great Easter party dessert, a festive addition to brunch, or a sweet treat to share with loved ones. If you’re making Easter gift baskets for friends and family, these adorable treats are a perfect homemade addition.
How These Cookie Cups Came to Be
The concept of cookie cups has been around for quite some time, but the idea of transforming them into Easter baskets brings a creative twist to an already popular dessert. Traditional cookie cups are typically filled with chocolate ganache, pudding, or fruit, but these Easter-themed ones incorporate a delightful buttercream frosting that resembles fresh spring grass.
What makes this recipe even more unique is the addition of the licorice handle. While it can be a little tricky to keep in place, it truly completes the “basket” look. By using Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel or other flexible licorice, you create an edible handle that adds both texture and flavor.
For those who prefer an alternative, different types of licorice or candy ropes can work as well. And if you find the handles too frustrating, you can leave them out – the cookie cups will still look (and taste) amazing!
Tips for the Best Easter Basket Cookie Cups
To ensure your Easter Basket Cookie Cups turn out perfectly, keep these helpful tips in mind:
1. Use a Silicone Pan for Easy Removal
Baking the cookie cups in a silicone mini Bundt pan or muffin pan ensures they release easily once cooled. If you’re using a metal pan, consider rolling the cookie dough balls in sugar before placing them in the pan to prevent sticking.
2. Allow the Cookies to Cool Completely
Patience is key when it comes to removing the cookie cups from the pan. If they are even slightly warm, they may break apart. Let them cool completely to maintain their shape.
3. Flatten the Licorice Handles Before Use
Licorice tends to curl, which can make it tricky to create the basket handles. To make them more manageable, lay them flat on wax paper and weigh down the ends with glasses. Let them sit for an hour or two before adding them to the cookie cups.
4. Use a Star or Grass Piping Tip for the Buttercream
Wilton decorating tip #233 is the best choice for creating buttercream “grass.” If you don’t have this specific tip, a small star tip can also work, giving the frosting a textured, grassy look.
5. Store Properly for Freshness
Once assembled, store the cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you need to make them in advance, bake the cookie bases and prepare the buttercream ahead of time, then assemble them right before serving.
Variations and Creative Twists
If you’d like to put your own spin on this recipe, here are a few creative variations:
- Chocolate Cookie Cups: Use chocolate sugar cookie dough instead of classic sugar cookie dough for a richer flavor.
- Filled Cookie Cups: Before piping the frosting, add a layer of chocolate ganache or marshmallow fluff inside the cookie cup for a surprise filling.
- Rainbow Easter Baskets: Use different colors of buttercream frosting for a vibrant, rainbow-inspired look.
- Nut-Free Alternative: If making for someone with allergies, ensure that the candies and cookie dough used are nut-free.
Why These Cookie Cups Make the Perfect Easter Treat
Easter is all about celebrating new beginnings and spending time with loved ones. These Easter Basket Cookie Cups embody that festive spirit with their bright colors, fun design, and irresistible taste. They bring joy to both the baker and those lucky enough to enjoy them.
Unlike traditional Easter desserts like carrot cake or hot cross buns, these cookie cups are individually portioned, making them easy to serve and enjoy without the need for slicing or extra plates. Plus, their versatility means you can adjust them to suit any taste preference or dietary need.
The balance of textures – a crisp yet soft sugar cookie base, smooth buttercream frosting, and crunchy candy toppings – makes every bite a delightful experience. The fun of decorating them also adds an interactive element, making them a wonderful baking project for kids and adults alike.
Conclusion:
Easter Basket Cookie Cups are not just a dessert; they’re a fun and creative way to celebrate the holiday. Whether you’re making them as a festive family baking activity, a charming addition to your Easter spread, or a thoughtful homemade gift, they’re sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
With their adorable appearance, delicious flavor, and easy customization options, these cookie cups are destined to become a favorite Easter tradition. So gather your ingredients, unleash your creativity, and start baking – these little edible baskets of joy are waiting to brighten up your springtime celebrations!