Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups: Adorable and Delicious

Get ready to “hop” into Easter with these adorable Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups! They’re the perfect combination of cute and delicious, making them a delightful treat for Easter celebrations. I love how these cookie cups combine a buttery sugar cookie base with a creamy frosting and a nest of colorful Easter candies. They’re almost too cute to eat… almost!

These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are surprisingly easy to make, especially if you use pre-made cookie dough. It’s a fun baking project for the whole family, and the result is a festive treat that’s perfect for Easter baskets, parties, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.

Flavor Goal: Imagine a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie shaped like a tiny basket, filled with a sweet and creamy frosting and topped with a colorful assortment of Easter candies. That’s the delightful experience we’re creating!

Ingredient Insights:

• Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough: This is our shortcut to deliciousness! Using pre-made dough makes this recipe super easy and convenient.
• Salted Butter: This adds richness and flavor to the frosting. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
• Powdered Sugar: This creates a smooth and sweet frosting that’s perfect for piping or spreading.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: This adds a touch of richness and helps create a creamy texture in the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
• Hershey’s Egg Candies: These colorful candies are perfect for filling our Easter baskets. You can use any similar candies you like.

Essential Equipment:

• 12-cup muffin tin
• Cooking spray
• Shot glass or spice jar
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Piping bag or zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off

Ingredients:

• 1 package (16 oz) Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough
• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 bags (9 oz each) Hershey’s Egg Candies (or similar candies)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cookie Cups:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
   • Liberally grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
   • Separate the pre-made cookie dough into 12 equal sections.
   • Place one section of cookie dough into each well of the muffin tin.
   • Bake for 10-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Be careful not to overbake!
   • Immediately after removing the muffin tin from the oven, use a shot glass or the bottom of a spice jar to gently press down the center of each cookie, creating a small indentation for the frosting.
   • Let the cookie cups cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
2. Make the Frosting:
   • While the cookie cups are cooling, prepare the frosting.
   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or a stand mixer for this.
   • Add the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract and mix until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
3. Assemble the Easter Baskets:
   • Once the cookie cups are completely cool, fill a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the frosting.
   • Pipe or spread the frosting into the indentation of each cookie cup.
   • Fill the frosting with Hershey’s Egg Candies or your choice of Easter candies.

Troubleshooting:

• Overbaked Cookie Cups: If your cookie cups are too hard, try reducing the baking time by a minute or two.
• Crumbly Cookie Cups: If your cookie cups are crumbling, make sure you’re not overmixing the dough. You can also try adding a tablespoon or two of flour to the dough.
• Runny Frosting: If your frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

Tips and Variations:

• You can use different flavors of cookie dough, such as chocolate chip or peanut butter.
• Get creative with the frosting! Use different colors or flavors to match your Easter theme.
• You can also use different types of candies or sprinkles to decorate your Easter baskets.

Serving Suggestions:

• These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are perfect for Easter baskets, parties, or simply as a festive treat to enjoy with family and friends.
• They also make a wonderful addition to dessert tables and buffets.

Nutritional Information: (Provide approximate values per cookie cup)

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Recipe Summary and Q&A:

• Q: Can I make these cookie cups ahead of time?
  • A: Yes, you can bake the cookie cups a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost and decorate them closer to serving time.
• Q: Can I freeze these cookie cups?
  • A: Yes, you can freeze the baked cookie cups for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them at room temperature before frosting and decorating.

These Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups are a delightful and festive treat that’s perfect for Easter. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and sure to be a hit with everyone!