Chewy, Colorful Easter Cookies for Your Spring Celebrations

Spring has officially sprung, and what better way to welcome the season than with a batch of bright, buttery, and delightfully soft Easter Cookies? These cookies are everything you want in a springtime treat—festive pastel colors, rich vanilla flavor, and soft centers with golden edges that melt in your mouth.

Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, planning a kid-friendly baking afternoon, or just want a cheerful dessert to brighten your countertop, these Easter cookies are an absolute must-bake. They’re easy enough for beginner bakers and adorable enough to impress guests. Plus, with colorful M&M’s, creamy white chocolate chips, and a dusting of pastel sprinkles, they’re as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious.

Why You’ll Love These Easter Cookies

These cookies strike the perfect balance between fun and flavor. They’re crisp on the edges, soft in the center, and bursting with texture and sweetness thanks to a generous helping of M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.

This recipe is designed for:

• Busy parents looking for a quick, festive treat for the kids.

• Holiday hosts who want a colorful, crowd-pleasing dessert.

• Baking beginners in search of an easy, no-fail cookie recipe.

• Anyone craving nostalgia in cookie form (yes, these taste like the joy of a childhood Easter egg hunt!).

Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to bring these cheerful cookies to life:

• All-Purpose Flour – The foundation of our cookie structure.

• Baking Powder & Baking Soda – To give the cookies just the right rise.

• Salt – To balance the sweetness.

• Butter (unsalted) – Make sure it’s softened but still cool for the best creaming texture.

• Granulated Sugar + Brown Sugar – A combo that delivers sweetness with a subtle caramel depth.

• Cold Egg – Straight from the fridge helps prevent the dough from spreading too much.

• Vanilla Extract – A generous amount for warm, cozy flavor.

• Easter or Spring M&M’s – These are the stars! Use pastel colors for maximum spring vibes.

• White Chocolate Chips – Creamy contrast to the candy shell crunch.

• Pastel Sprinkles – Optional, but recommended for that extra festive finish.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy to whip these up! Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Stand mixer or hand mixer

• Rubber spatula

• Baking sheets

• Parchment paper

• Cookie scoop (1½ to 2½ tablespoons)

• Wire cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Your Oven and Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes). Add the cold egg and vanilla extract and beat until just combined.

4. Combine Dry and Wet

On low speed, add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix—you want soft, tender cookies!

5. Fold in the Good Stuff

Gently stir in the M&M’s and white chocolate chips with a spatula. Try to distribute them evenly without breaking the M&M shells.

6. Shape the Dough

Scoop dough balls between 1½ and 2½ tablespoons in size. Press the tops into a shallow bowl of sprinkles. Optional: Chill for 20 minutes for a thicker cookie.

7. Bake to Perfection

Place dough balls on baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8–11 minutes, until edges are just set and centers are still soft.

8. Decorate (Optional)

While still warm, press a few extra M&M’s or chocolate chips onto the tops for a bakery-style finish.

9. Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or let them cool completely.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies

• Use cold egg straight from the fridge – This helps control spread for a thicker, chewier cookie.

• Spoon and level your flour – Don’t scoop directly from the bag; it leads to dry cookies.

• Shape while warm – Use a spatula to gently nudge misshapen cookies into a perfect circle as soon as they come out of the oven.

• Don’t overbake – They should look slightly underdone in the middle. They’ll finish cooking on the baking sheet.

Storage Tips

Store your Easter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. If you’d like to keep them fresh longer, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving.

You can also freeze the dough! After scooping and shaping, freeze dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.

Fun Variations and Swaps

These cookies are endlessly customizable! Here are a few ideas:

• Switch up the chocolate – Use milk, dark, or semisweet chips instead of white chocolate.

• Try different candy – Use pastel Reese’s Pieces or chopped mini eggs.

• Make them gluten-free – Substitute a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.

• Add citrus zest – Lemon or orange zest can brighten the flavor for spring.

• Easter cookie bars – Press dough into an 8×8-inch pan and bake for 18–22 minutes, then slice into squares.

Suggested Food & Drink Pairings

Pair these cookies with:

• A glass of cold milk – Classic!

• Lavender or chamomile tea – For a spring garden party feel.

• Strawberry lemonade – Refreshing and vibrant, it complements the sweet flavors.

• Vanilla or berry milkshake – For a decadent Easter dessert pairing.

FAQ

Can I use different colored M&M’s?
Absolutely! Any seasonal or regular M&M’s will work.

What if I don’t have sprinkles?
You can skip them or roll dough in coarse sugar for sparkle and crunch.

Why is my dough too soft?
The butter might have been too warm. Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes if needed.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge.

Do I have to chill the dough?
No, but chilling helps control spread and gives you slightly thicker cookies.

Final Thoughts 

These Easter Cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking them with your kids, serving them at a springtime celebration, or treating yourself to a midweek pick-me-up, they’re guaranteed to brighten your day.

They’re buttery, festive, and full of love—perfect for creating sweet seasonal memories.

If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family!
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