Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe

The Perfect Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe For Spring Fun

Sweet memories of childhood easter celebrations sparkle through these delightful sugar cookie cups that capture pure magic.

Soft, buttery dough transforms into adorable edible vessels waiting to be filled with creamy delights.

Crisp edges and tender centers make this treat irresistible for anyone seeking a playful dessert.

Pastel sprinkles dance across each miniature cookie, promising a whimsical bite that connects generations.

Kids and adults alike will adore these charming little cups that blend nostalgia with delectable sweetness.

Crumbly yet smooth textures create a perfect canvas for your favorite fillings, from chocolate ganache to light cream cheese.

You’ll want to make a double batch because these little wonders disappear faster than springtime sunshine.

  • Craft with Ease: Beginner bakers can confidently create these adorable Easter-themed cookie cups without advanced baking skills.
  • Quick and Delightful: Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this recipe perfect for last-minute holiday treats or spontaneous baking sessions.
  • Kid-Friendly Creation: Children will love helping decorate these colorful cookie baskets, turning baking into a fun family activity that sparks creativity and joy.
  • Festive Party Pleaser: These cute cookie cups are ideal for Easter gatherings, brunch celebrations, or as charming dessert centerpieces that will impress guests with their playful design.
Main Ingredients:
  • Sugar Cookie Dough: A sweet base that creates the edible cookie cup for the Easter basket design.
  • Butter, Powdered Sugar: A creamy mixture that provides the smooth texture and sweetness for the decorative topping.
  • Vanilla Extract, Heavy Cream: Ingredients that enhance the flavor and create a silky consistency for the frosting.
  • Green Food Coloring, Chocolate Egg Candies: Colorful additions that transform the cookie cups into festive Easter baskets.
  • Cooking Spray: A non-stick helper that ensures easy removal of the cookie cups from the muffin tin.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and generously coat each well with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Shape Cookie Dough

Gently press a piece of cookie dough into each muffin tin cavity, ensuring even distribution and smooth surfaces.

Step 3: Bake Cookie Bases

Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 10-14 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden brown.

Step 4: Create Cookie Cup Baskets

Right after removing from the oven, use a shot glass or spice jar to press down the center of each warm cookie, forming adorable little basket shapes.

Step 5: Cool Cookie Cups

Allow the cookies to rest in the muffin tin for 10 minutes, letting them firm up and become easily removable.

Step 6: Whip Up Frosting

In a mixing bowl, cream butter until it becomes light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 7: Finish Frosting

Stir in vanilla extract and heavy cream, blending until silky smooth. Add green food coloring and mix until you achieve a springtime-perfect shade.

Step 8: Decorate Cookie Baskets

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the green frosting into each cookie cup, creating a festive nest-like design.

Step 9: Add Candy Eggs

Place three chocolate egg candies in each decorated cookie cup for a charming Easter treat that’s sure to delight.

  • Spray muffin tin generously to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.
  • Use room temperature butter for smoother, fluffier frosting that spreads easily.
  • Press the shot glass gently but firmly to create uniform basket shapes without breaking the cookie.
  • Choose pastel-colored food coloring for a classic Easter look that enhances the festive feel.
  • Add a sprinkle of edible glitter or colorful sprinkles on top for extra decoration and charm.
  • Spring Garden Cups: Replace chocolate eggs with fresh berries and edible flower petals for a garden-inspired treat.
  • Chocolate Lover's Edition: Swap vanilla frosting for chocolate buttercream and use chocolate mini eggs as topping.
  • Pastel Rainbow Cups: Create multiple frosting colors using soft pastel shades like lavender, mint, and pale yellow, then decorate with matching sprinkles.
  • Nutty Basket Crunch: Mix chopped almonds or pecans into the cookie dough and top with caramel-drizzled frosting and candied nuts.
  • Pair Creamy Buttercream with Chilled Milk: A classic sugar cookie demands a cool, smooth milk companion that balances the sweet frosting and provides a refreshing contrast.
  • Complement Green Frosted Cups with Light White Wine: Select a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the delicate green buttercream and sweet cookie base, creating a sophisticated adult treat.
  • Match Chocolate Eggs with Espresso: A strong, rich espresso shot cuts through the sugary sweetness, offering a robust flavor profile that elevates the chocolate candy and buttery cookie texture.
  • Serve Alongside Fresh Berries: Tart strawberries or raspberries provide a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich, sweet cookie cups, adding a fresh dimension to the dessert experience.
  • Refrigerate: Store cookie cups in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 4 days. Keep refrigerated to maintain frosting texture and prevent candy melting.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cookie cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Room Temperature: Keep cookie cups in sealed container at cool room temperature for 1-2 days. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas to prevent frosting from becoming soft.
  • Reheating: Gently warm in microwave for 5-7 seconds to slightly soften cookie. Do not overheat, as this can make cookies tough or melt decorative candies.
  • Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of store-bought?

Yes, you can use homemade sugar cookie dough. Just ensure it’s a sturdy recipe that will hold its shape when baked in a muffin tin.

  • How do I prevent the cookie cups from sticking to the pan?

Generously spray the muffin tin with cooking spray or use non-stick baking spray. This ensures easy removal of the cookie cups.

  • What type of chocolate egg candies work best for decoration?

Chocolate mini eggs like Cadbury Mini Eggs or similar small chocolate eggs are perfect for topping these Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups. Choose ones with a colorful candy shell for a festive look.

  • Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the buttercream frosting a day in advance.

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Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe

Easter Basket Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe


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4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 39 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet Easter basket sugar cookie cups bring springtime joy to dessert tables with delightful charm. Pastel-colored candies nestled in buttery cookie shells create irresistible bite-sized treats you cannot resist sharing with family and friends.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 package (16 ounces/454 grams) Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough
  • 2 bags (9 ounces/255 grams each) Hershey’s Egg Candies

Cookie Cup Base:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks/227 grams) salted butter

Frosting and Decoration:

  • 3 cups (340 grams) powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and generously coat a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray.
  2. Distribute individual cookie dough pieces into each muffin well, ensuring even placement.
  3. Bake for 10-14 minutes until edges turn delicately golden and surfaces appear set.
  4. Immediately after removing from oven, use a shot glass or spice jar to gently press centers, creating basket-like indentations.
  5. Allow cookies to rest in the tin for 10 minutes, enabling them to firm up and become easier to remove.
  6. Whip butter in a mixing bowl until light and airy, gradually incorporating powdered sugar while mixing thoroughly.
  7. Introduce vanilla extract and heavy cream, blending until the mixture becomes silky smooth.
  8. Add green food coloring and mix until achieving a vibrant, consistent shade throughout the frosting.
  9. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with the prepared frosting.
  10. Carefully pipe the green frosting into each cooled cookie cup, creating decorative swirls.
  11. Garnish each cup with three chocolate egg candies, strategically placing them to resemble an easter basket.
  12. Serve immediately and enjoy these festive, delectable treats.

Notes

  • Customize the cookie dough by using homemade or store-bought sugar cookie mix for convenience and flexibility.
  • Ensure even baking by rotating the muffin tin halfway through the cooking process to prevent uneven browning.
  • Create a clean indentation by using a tool with a flat bottom and smooth sides, like a small measuring cup or pestle.
  • Prevent cookies from sticking by generously spraying the muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray or using silicone muffin liners.
  • Experiment with different frosting colors to match seasonal themes or personal preferences.
  • Swap chocolate eggs with other small candies like jelly beans or marshmallow chicks for variety.
  • Cool cookies completely before adding frosting to maintain the structural integrity of the cookie cups.
  • Make frosting ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for quick assembly.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Mia Thompson

Mia Thompson

Pastry Chef & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Creating wholesome, seasonal desserts with a focus on nutrition.
  • Developing recipes on healthy baking alternatives.
  • Experimenting with plant-based and gluten-free recipes.​

Education

Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.

National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.


Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.

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