Buttercream Bunny Cookies (Printable Version)

Buttery bunny-shaped sugar cookies topped with silky buttercream frosting—ideal for spring and Easter 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, pastel shades (optional)

→ For Decorating

13 - Candy eyes, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles

# 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, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the butter mixture.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
06 - Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
07 - On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with bunny-shaped cookie cutter and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges just begin to turn golden. Cool completely on wire rack.
09 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, beating until smooth and spreadable. Tint with food coloring if desired.
10 - Frost cooled cookies with buttercream using piping bags or spatulas. Add candy eyes or sprinkles for bunny faces. Let frosting set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dough is incredibly forgiving and rolls out beautifully without sticking, making it perfect for working with little helpers who want to cut out their own bunnies
  • That buttercream is silky smooth and pipes like a dream, letting you get as creative as you want with faces and details
  • These cookies stay soft for days, so you can make them ahead and still have fresh-tasting treats for your celebration
02 -
  • Chilling the dough is nonnegotiable without it, your bunnies will puff up and lose their cute ear definition in the oven
  • Wait until cookies are completely cool before frosting, otherwise the buttercream will melt right off
  • Gel food coloring is worth the extra trip to the store, liquid coloring will make your buttercream too thin to hold those cute piped details
03 -
  • If your bunny ears are breaking when you try to move them to the baking sheet, chill the cut shapes on the rolling surface for 10 minutes first
  • For extra vanilla flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste to both the dough and frosting

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