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This sweet and colorful Easter Bunny Button Cookies recipe transforms simple ingredients into adorable one-bite treats that capture the festive spirit of spring. With a buttery cookie base and bright candy centers, these miniature cookies are perfect for Easter baskets, holiday gatherings, or a special homemade gift that brings joy to everyone who tries them.
The first time I made these cookies for my nieces and nephews at our family Easter gathering, they disappeared faster than I could place them on the serving tray. Now they've become our official Easter tradition, with everyone helping to press the colorful candy centers.
Ingredients
- Butter: softened to room temperature for that perfect buttery cookie texture and flavor that melts in your mouth
- Sugar: provides just the right sweetness without overpowering the delicate cookie base
- Egg yolks: add richness and help bind the dough together while creating a tender crumb
- Vanilla extract: enhances the flavor profile with its warm aromatic notes
- All purpose flour: creates the perfect structure for these tiny button cookies use unbleached for best results
- Sanding sugar: adds a delightful sparkle and subtle crunch to the exterior choose pastel colors for Easter theme
- Chocolate M&Ms: in pastel colors serve as the colorful button centers that make these cookies so festive and fun
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit ensuring it reaches full temperature before baking. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Create The Cookie Base:
- In a mixing bowl use a hand held mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy approximately 2 to 3 minutes. This incorporates air into the dough creating a tender cookie texture.
- Add The Wet Ingredients:
- Gently mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract beating just until combined. The yolks add richness while the vanilla provides that classic homemade cookie flavor we all love.
- Incorporate The Flour:
- Add all of the flour to your wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage which can develop too much gluten and result in tough cookies instead of tender ones.
- Shape The Cookies:
- Portion the dough using a teaspoon measure and roll each portion between your palms to create uniform balls. Then roll each ball in the sanding sugar ensuring an even coating around the entire surface for that festive sparkle.
- Add The Button Centers:
- Place each sugar coated dough ball on your prepared baking sheet leaving about 1 inch between cookies. Use your thumb or finger to gently press an M&M candy into the center of each cookie creating the button effect.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Bake the cookies for exactly 10 minutes until set but not browned. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
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The pastel M&Ms are what truly transform these from ordinary cookies into Easter specialties. I keep a stash of seasonal candy year round just for baking projects like this. My granddaughter always helps me sort the colors into a rainbow before we begin pressing them into the dough.
Storage and Gifting
These Easter Bunny Button Cookies maintain their fresh taste and texture when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. For longer storage you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just layer them between pieces of parchment paper in a freezer safe container. The dough can also be prepared ahead of time and frozen in balls ready to be sugar coated and baked whenever you need a quick batch.
Creative Variations
While pastel colored M&Ms create the perfect Easter look you can easily adapt these cookies for any holiday or occasion by changing the candy colors. Try red and green for Christmas festive colors for birthdays or team colors for sports celebrations. You can also experiment with different extracts like almond or lemon to create unique flavor combinations that complement the chocolate center.
Perfect Pairings
Serve these delightful cookies alongside a glass of cold milk for children or pair with afternoon tea for adults. They also make a wonderful addition to an Easter dessert table alongside other spring favorites like carrot cake or lemon bars. For gift giving stack a dozen cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with pastel ribbon and tuck into Easter baskets for a homemade touch everyone will appreciate.
Common Queries
- → Can I use different candies for the center?
Yes, you can use other small candies like jellybeans or chocolate drops if M&M candies are not available.
- → How do I store these cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- → Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare and refrigerate the dough for 1-2 days before baking.
- → Do I have to use sanding sugar?
No, sanding sugar adds texture and sparkle but can be omitted or replaced with regular sugar.
- → Can I freeze the cookies after baking?
Yes, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.