Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are the sweetest little treat for your spring table. They start with soft sugar cookie cups, then fill with creamy buttercream and colorful chocolate eggs. Plus, they come together fast, so you can whip up a festive dessert in about 30 minutes.

What Makes These Cookie Cups Perfect for Easter

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups look just like tiny edible baskets, so they instantly brighten any dessert table. Because you fill them with pastel frosting and egg candies, they feel playful and festive. Also, kids love helping decorate them. Meanwhile, you only need simple ingredients, so they work perfectly for busy holiday weekends.

Key Recipe Details, Yield, and Time

These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups make about 24 cookie cups, which is perfect for sharing. You need about 20 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to bake, so total time stays close to 30 minutes. Since you use premade dough, the process feels quick and simple. Each cookie cup has about 213 calories.

Ingredients for Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups

You only need a handful of easy ingredients to make Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups, and most come straight from the grocery store. First, grab one 16 ounce package of premade Pillsbury sugar cookie dough in the flat style with pre cut squares. This makes portioning simple and neat.

Next, for the buttercream, you need 1 cup salted butter at room temperature, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. If you want that classic Easter look, also add green food coloring for grass colored frosting.

Finally, you will top each cup with Hershey’s egg shaped candies. You need about two 9 ounce bags, which gives you roughly 72 candies. Since each cookie holds three eggs, this amount works perfectly.

Cookie Cup Base Ingredients

For the base of your Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups, use one package of flat, pre cut sugar cookie dough squares. Because they come evenly portioned, you save time and avoid sticky measuring. As a result, every cookie cup bakes evenly and fits nicely into the muffin pan.

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

The buttercream uses softened salted butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract. First, beat the butter until fluffy. Then add sugar gradually. Finally, mix in cream and vanilla. If desired, tint the frosting green for that classic Easter grass effect.

Candy and Decoration Options

Although chocolate eggs look traditional, you can also use jelly beans or other pastel candies. In fact, any small egg shaped candy works beautifully in these Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups.

How to Make Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups Step by Step

Making Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups feels simple, especially since you start with premade dough. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then generously spray one or two 12 cup muffin pans with cooking spray so nothing sticks.

Next, place one square of cookie dough into each muffin well. Because the dough is already portioned, this step moves quickly. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, just until lightly golden. However, do not overbake, or the cookies may turn dry.

Right after you remove the pan from the oven, press down the center of each warm cookie with the bottom of a shot glass or small jar. This creates a shallow basket shape for the filling. Meanwhile, work carefully, since the cookies are hot.

Let the cookie cups cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then gently remove them and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

While they cool, make the buttercream. Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing after each addition. Then add vanilla and heavy cream. Continue beating until smooth and thick. If needed, adjust consistency with more sugar for thicker frosting or more cream for thinner texture.

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a large star tip. If you do not have one, use a zip top bag and snip the corner. Pipe frosting into each cooled cookie cup. Finally, press three egg candies into the frosting to finish your Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups.

Preparing the Muffin Pan and Dough

First, heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, spray the muffin pan generously with cooking spray. Then place one square of sugar cookie dough into each well. Because the dough comes pre cut, you save time and keep portions even for all your Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups.

Baking and Creating the Basket Shape

Bake the cookie cups for 10 to 14 minutes, watching closely. As soon as the edges turn lightly golden, remove the pan from the oven. Immediately press the center of each cookie with a shot glass or small jar. This step shapes the basket while the cookie stays soft. If you wait too long, the centers may crack instead of forming smoothly.

Cooling and Removing the Cookie Cups

Let the cookie cups cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then gently loosen each one with a spoon. After that, transfer them to a cooling rack. Since they finish cooling completely, the frosting will hold its shape better.

Making the Buttercream Frosting

Beat the room temperature butter until creamy and fluffy. Next, slowly mix in powdered sugar. Then add vanilla and heavy cream. Continue beating until smooth and thick. If the frosting feels too stiff, add a splash more cream. If it feels thin, mix in more powdered sugar.

Filling and Decorating the Cookie Baskets

Pipe frosting into each cooled cookie cup, filling the center generously. Then place three egg shaped candies on top. Press them slightly into the frosting so they stay in place. Now your Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups look like mini edible baskets.

Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookie Cups Every Time

When making Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups, small details make a big difference. First, watch your baking time closely. Since sugar cookies brown quickly, even one extra minute can dry them out.

Also, always press the centers while the cookies are warm. If you wait, the cookie will firm up and resist shaping. Meanwhile, keep your pressing tool centered so each basket looks neat.

For frosting, start with fully softened butter. Because soft butter whips better, your buttercream turns light and creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, and mix well after each addition. Then adjust the texture as needed.

Finally, decorate just before serving if possible. Although they stay fresh for days, the candy colors look brightest on day one. As a result, your Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups will taste fresh and look beautiful.

Avoiding Overbaked or Dry Cookies

Check the cookies at the 10 minute mark. If the edges look lightly golden, remove them right away. Since they continue baking in the hot pan, they will firm up as they cool. Therefore, slightly soft centers give you tender cookie cups.

Getting the Right Frosting Consistency

If the frosting feels too thick, add a small splash of heavy cream. However, if it feels too thin, mix in extra powdered sugar. Because frosting texture affects piping, test a small amount first. Then adjust slowly until it pipes smoothly and holds shape.

Easy Decorating with or without Piping Bags

A piping bag with a large star tip creates pretty swirls. However, you can also use a resealable plastic bag with the corner cut. Simply spoon in the frosting, then squeeze gently. Meanwhile, let kids help add the candies. As a result, decorating Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups becomes a fun family activity.

Fun Variations and Substitutions

Although classic Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups use green frosting and chocolate eggs, you can easily switch things up. For example, try pastel pink or yellow frosting for a softer look. You can also sprinkle shredded coconut on top to resemble grass.

If you want a shortcut, use premade frosting instead of homemade buttercream. In fact, this works well when you need a quick dessert for a school party.

You can even change the candy. Jelly beans, mini marshmallows, or candy coated chocolates all fit nicely inside the basket shape. Meanwhile, if you plan a spring brunch, these cookie cups pair beautifully with sweet breakfast treats like Strawberries and Cream French Toast.

Using Store Bought Frosting for a Shortcut

When time feels tight, grab a tub of premade frosting. Spoon it into a piping bag, then decorate as usual. Although homemade buttercream tastes rich, store bought frosting still works well for Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups.

Different Candies and Color Themes

Try pastel jelly beans, candy coated chocolates, or even mini chocolate bunnies. Because these Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups look like tiny baskets, you can match the colors to your table decor. For example, use all pink candies for a themed party.

Making Them for Other Spring Occasions

Although perfect for Easter, these cookie cups also fit baby showers and spring birthdays. Simply swap the egg candies for themed sprinkles. Meanwhile, soft pastel frosting keeps them seasonal. As a result, Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups easily transform for many celebrations.

Storage, Make Ahead, and Freshness Tips

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups store well, so you can plan ahead. First, if you keep them unfrosted, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to one week.

However, once frosted and decorated, they taste best within three days. Store them in a sealed container at room temperature. Meanwhile, keep them away from heat so the frosting holds shape.

If you need to prepare for a party, bake the cookie cups one or two days early. Then frost and decorate the day of your event. As a result, your Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups will look fresh and festive.

Storing Unfrosted Cookie Cups

Keep unfrosted cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature. Since they contain no frosting yet, they last up to one week. Place parchment between layers if stacking so they do not stick together.

Storing Frosted and Decorated Cups

Store decorated Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups in a sealed container at room temperature. Because frosting can soften in heat, keep them in a cool area. For best flavor and texture, enjoy within three days.

Making Them in Advance for Parties (40 words)

Bake the cookie cups a day or two ahead. Then store them unfrosted. On the party day, pipe frosting and add candies. This simple plan saves time and keeps your Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups looking fresh.

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups FAQs

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you love festive treats, try these favorites:

• Easter Dirt Cups Recipe
• Easter Brownies Fudgy Holiday Dessert
• Banana Pudding Easter Truffles Recipe
• No Bake Banana Cream Pie Bars Recipe
• Strawberry Fruit Roll Ups Homemade

Final Thoughts

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups bring color, sweetness, and fun to any spring celebration. Because they use simple ingredients and premade dough, you can make them quickly without stress. Meanwhile, decorating them feels creative and joyful, especially with kids. If you want more holiday inspiration, visit my ideas on Pinterest at pinterest. Try these Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups this season, and watch them disappear fast from your dessert table.