Soft pastel cookies perfect for Easter baskets or spring celebrations
These Easter snowball cookies are a delightful blend of springtime charm and melt-in-your-mouth texture. With their pastel hues and bunny-shaped elegance, they'll bring joy to your Easter table or cookie platter.
Easter is the perfect time to embrace pastel colors and playful shapes in your baking. These snowball cookies are a classic treat given a festive spring twist with natural food coloring and bunny-shaped cutouts.
The cookies stay soft and tender thanks to a precise butter-to-sugar ratio, while the powdered sugar coating adds a delicate crunch. Best of all, they're easy to make and perfect for involving kids in the kitchen.
Whether you're hosting an Easter brunch or creating a festive cookie platter, these pastel snowballs will impress your guests with their vibrant colors and charming shapes.
Why This Recipe Works
⏰ Quick & Easy
Mix, chill, shape, and bake in under 30 minutes with minimal effort. Perfect for last-minute Easter baking!
💰 Affordable
Uses pantry staples like flour, sugar, and butter with optional pastel food coloring for a festive touch.
👥 Family-Friendly
Perfect for involving kids in shaping and decorating. The soft texture is gentle on little teeth.
🌟 Visually Stunning
Pastel colors and bunny shapes create a charming spring display that's perfect for Instagram or Easter baskets.
Pastel Easter Snowball Cookies
Soft, melt-in-your-mouth pastel cookies with bunny shapes
🛒 Ingredients
- - 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- - 1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar
- - 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- - 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- - Pinch of salt
- - Natural food coloring (pink, blue, yellow)
- - Powdered sugar for coating
👨🍳 Instructions
Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract.
💡 Use room temperature butter for best creaming results
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms.
💡 If dough is too sticky, add 1-2 tbsp extra flour
Divide & Color: Divide dough into 3 portions. Add food coloring to each for pastel shades.
💡 For best results, use gel food coloring
Chill: Cover dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
💡 Chilling prevents dough from spreading
Shape Cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Use a bunny-shaped cookie cutter to create shapes.
💡 If not using a cutter, roll into traditional snowball shapes
Bake: Place on parchment-lined sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
💡 Do not overbake for soft texture
Coat: While warm, roll in powdered sugar. Let cool completely.
💡 For extra bunny ears, gently press shapes after coating
Nutrition (per serving):
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter
Provides rich flavor and helps create the soft texture. Use European-style butter for better browning.
Substitutions: Salted butter (reduce added salt by 1/4 tsp), coconut oil (buttery flavor, vegan option)
Powdered Sugar
Creates the signature powdered sugar coating. You can use confectioners' sugar or make your own by blending granulated sugar in a food processor.
Substitutions: Granulated sugar (creates different texture), coconut sugar (adds caramel notes)
Natural Food Coloring
Use gel food coloring for vibrant pastel shades without altering texture. Beet juice or turmeric can create natural pink/yellow hues.
Substitutions: Beet powder (natural pink), turmeric (natural yellow), spirulina (natural green)
All-Purpose Flour
Provides the right balance of structure and tenderness. You can use pastry flour for extra tenderness or whole wheat flour for a denser texture.
Substitutions: Pastry flour (tenderer texture), whole wheat flour (nutty flavor), gluten-free flour blend (for gluten-free version)
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
⚠️ Dough Consistency
If dough is too sticky, add 1-2 tbsp extra flour. If too dry, add 1 tsp milk or water.
❄️ Chilling Time
Chill for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading. For best results, refrigerate overnight.
📏 Baking Time
Bake exactly 10-12 minutes for soft texture. Overbaking creates crunchy cookies.
🎨 Color Tips
Add food coloring gradually for perfect pastel shades. Let colored dough rest 5 minutes to blend fully.
Variations & Customizations
Glazed Version
Skip powdered sugar and brush with a light glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. Add edible glitter for extra sparkle.
Nutty Twist
Add 1/4 cup chopped pistachios or almonds to the dough for a nutty flavor and texture contrast.
Chocolate Dipped
Dip cooled cookies in melted white or dark chocolate for a rich, decadent variation.
Mini Versions
Roll dough into smaller balls (1/2-inch) for bite-sized cookies perfect for Easter baskets.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Chamomile tea for a calming spring afternoon
- Vanilla ice cream for a sweet treat
- Easter egg salad for a festive brunch
🍷 Drink Pairings:
Pair with chamomile tea for a relaxing treat or cold milk for a classic cookie pairing.
Make-Ahead Instructions & Storage
Make-Ahead Tips
Prepare dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Shape and bake just before serving.
Refrigerator Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cookies may become slightly softer.
Freezer Storage
Freeze baked cookies in single layer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating Instructions
Warm in microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore freshness. Avoid oven reheating which dries out cookies.
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
Q: Why are my cookies too dry?
A: You may have overbaked them. These cookies should be soft when cooled. Next time reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes.
Q: How to prevent dough from spreading?
A: Chill dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Make sure your oven is fully preheated.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. You may need to add 1-2 tbsp extra flour to the dough.
Q: Why isn't the powdered sugar sticking?
A: Cookies may be too warm. Let them cool completely before coating. You can also lightly mist the cookies with water before rolling.
Final Thoughts
These pastel Easter snowball cookies are more than just a treat - they're a celebration of spring in every bite. With their soft texture, vibrant colors, and charming bunny shapes, they're sure to become a family favorite for Easter and spring celebrations.
Whether you're making them for an Easter brunch, filling Easter baskets, or simply enjoying a spring afternoon snack, these cookies bring joy with every bite. Don't forget to share the recipe with friends and family so they can experience this delightful springtime treat too!
