Sometimes we want beautiful Easter cookies, but we don’t have the time or patience for piping or royal icing. Thankfully, there are lots of other ways to decorate cookies that are festive, fun, and easy!

Different Ways to Glaze and Decorate Easter Cookies

    Glazing

    To glaze the cookies, hold the cookie by the edges and dip the top into the bowl of icing. Lift the cookie up and let the excess glaze drip off the cookie. Flip the cookie right side up and give it a shake to make sure the glaze is evenly spread. You can leave the cookies as is, or use the ideas below to make them even prettier.

    Decorating With Colored Sugar

    Once the cookie is glazed, sprinkle sugar over the cookie (the icing must be wet for the sugar to adhere). Gently tap off the excess sugar. Let each cookie dry completely before stacking or serving.

    Partially Dipping Cookies

    You can also dip one end of the cookie in the glaze and then decorate with sugar or sprinkles. We think this looks especially cute on egg-shaped cookies.

    Drizzle

    Drizzling the glaze over the cookie is also an attractive decorating technique. Using a fork or a whisk to drizzle the glaze will make your stripes especially attractive.

    Contrasting Drizzle

    You can also glaze the cookie in white icing and drizzle over a colored glaze. Just make sure to let your base layer icing dry completely before topping it with the colored glaze.

    Powdered Sugar Glaze

    Egg-free powdered sugar glaze is an easy way to decorate cookies. It comes together in seconds, sets up well, and is extremely versatile. To make it Vegan, use agave instead of honey, and choose water or lemon juice instead of milk.

    Powdered Sugar Cookie Icing (Egg-Free) Recipe

    Makes about 1 ½ cups

    Ingredients:

    • 2 ¼ cups (9 ounces) powdered sugar, sifted
    • 2 tbs agave or honey (note - these ingredients will make the glaze a little browner. Use corn syrup for a bright white glaze)
    • 1-2 tbs water, milk, or lemon juice
    • Food coloring (optional)

    Directions:

    1. In a medium bowl, mix together the agave, powdered sugar, and 1 tbs of the water.
    2. Gradually add the additional tablespoon of water until it reaches your desired consistency. The icing should be thin enough that it spreads out in an even layer, but thick enough that it still coats the cookie.
    3. If necessary, add more water 1 tsp at a time.
    4. If desired, separate glaze into several bowls - tinting each as you wish with food coloring.

    There are lots of ways to use this icing to decorate your Easter cookies.

    Buttercream Frosting

    Buttercream frosting is another fun and delicious way to decorate cookies This American-style powdered sugar frosting is spreadable, easy to color, and tastes great. Below is our favorite Vanilla Frosting recipe.

    Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe

    Makes about 2 cups

    Ingredients:

    • 2 sticks (8 oz) butter, softened
    • 3 cups (12 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
    • Pinch salt
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • Food coloring, as desired

    Directions:

    1. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth.
    2. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until fluffy, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl at least once to ensure that everything is evenly combined.
    3. Beat in the salt and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for an additional 5 minutes - this will make the icing extremely creamy and smooth.
    4. Divide the frosting into bowls (how many depends on how many colors you want to make). Add food coloring as desired.

    Pinks, greens, yellows and purples are all great Easter colors.

    Decorating Cookies With Buttercream Frosting

    decorating cookies with buttercream frosting

    Frost cookies with a knife or small offset spatula, spreading the frosting evenly over the surface of the cookie. Make sure to spread it entirely to the edges.

    Once you’ve frosted your cookies, you can serve them as-is, or spice them up with sprinkles or other decorations. Some of our favorites are:

    • Classic Sprinkles in Easter Colors: this Wilton kit has pastel Jimmies, bunny sprinkles, and other fun Easter shapes and colors.
    • Easter-Themed Sprinkles: we’re crushing on this Easter Sprinkle mix from Fancy Sprinkles.
    • Edible Gold Dust: a pink frosted cookie with a sprinkle of gold would look pretty sweet next to your Easter basket.
    • Monochrome Sprinkles: a pale blue buttercream with bright blue sprinkles adds just enough contrast to make your cookies pop.

    These are our go-to techniques when we want to make festive cookies but don’t have the patience for the piping bag. And if you don’t feel like making your own cookies this year, check out the best mail order cookies we offer. You can eat them as is, decorate them, or pop a bag in your Easter basket.

    We also have mail order pies if you'd prefer those with your Easter festivities! If you're looking for other sweets to add to your Easter table, you can order desserts online from Whisked!

    About the author, Jenna Huntsberger
    Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Jenna moved to DC in 2005 to work in nonprofit communications. After deciding her real passion was pastry, she founded Whisked! in 2011, selling baked goods at a local farmer's market. Today, Whisked! cookies and pies are carried in more than 100 retail locations, and have been featured in publications like the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, and NPR.

    Written by Jenna Huntsberger