These Carrot-Shaped Sugar Cookies are a fun and festive way to celebrate spring and Easter. Shaped like bright, vibrant carrots, these cookies are not only adorable but also delicious. Made from a simple sugar cookie dough and decorated with colorful royal icing.

Whether you’re planning an Easter brunch or want to add a homemade touch to your holiday treats, these carrot-shaped cookies are sure to impress. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and bring a pop of color to any dessert table.

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Festive and Fun: The carrot shape adds a seasonal touch, making these cookies perfect for Easter or springtime celebrations.
Easy to Customize: You can adjust the icing colors and decorations to suit your preferences.
Kid-Friendly: This recipe is a great activity to do with kids, who will enjoy cutting out shapes and decorating the cookies.
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies make a thoughtful, homemade gift for family, friends, or neighbors.
Delicious and Buttery: The sugar cookie base is soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, making each bite a delight.

Ingredients:

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange and green gel food coloring
Royal icing or store-bought icing

Step-by-Step Process:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This will ensure that the dry ingredients are well combined.
In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Divide the dough into two portions. Add orange food coloring to one portion and green food coloring to the other.
Roll out the orange dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a carrot-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.
For the green stems, roll out the green dough and cut small leaf shapes or use a piping bag to add green icing stems after baking.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating with icing.
Use royal icing to add details to the cookies. Pipe green leaves at the top of the carrots for a realistic look.

Variations:

Chocolate-Dipped Carrots: Instead of icing, dip the cookies in melted orange chocolate for a rich, chocolatey twist.
Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Lemon-Flavored Dough: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a fresh, citrusy flavor that pairs beautifully with the spring theme.
Pastel Colors: For a more subtle look, use pastel colors for the carrot and leaves instead of bright orange and green.

FAQs:

1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! These cookies can be made a few days in advance and stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze the baked cookies and decorate them when needed.

2. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading while baking?
To prevent the cookies from spreading, make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before cutting out the shapes. This helps the cookies hold their shape better in the oven.

3. Can I use store-bought icing?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, store-bought icing works perfectly for decorating. You can also use ready-made cookie decorating kits.

4. What if I don’t have a carrot-shaped cookie cutter?
If you don’t have a carrot-shaped cutter, you can cut the dough into oval shapes and decorate them with icing to resemble carrots.

How to Serve:

These Carrot-Shaped Sugar Cookies are best served at Easter brunches, spring parties, or as part of a dessert spread. Pair them with a cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of milk for a delightful treat. You can also wrap them individually in clear bags with colorful ribbons for a festive gift.