Cookie Easter Baskets
Cookie Easter Baskets Recipe - Perfect Treat for Any Occasion!
Introduction
Cookie Easter Baskets are a fun and festive treat to make during the Easter season. These adorable little baskets are made from sugar cookie dough and filled with colorful M&Ms, resembling Easter eggs in a basket. They are perfect for Easter brunches, parties, or as a sweet gift for friends and family.
History
The tradition of making Easter baskets dates back to ancient times when people would fill baskets with springtime treats to celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Over time, the tradition evolved to include candy and other goodies, symbolizing new life and abundance. Cookie Easter Baskets put a modern twist on this tradition, combining the sweetness of sugar cookies with the colorful fun of M&Ms.
Ingredients
- Pillsbury Slice and Bake sugar Cookie dough
- pastel M&Ms
How to prepare
- Roll out the dough using flour on a piece of waxed paper. It is easier to work with half the roll at a time.
- Leave the dough a little thicker than you would for cookies, about 0.25 inch.
- Use a small Tupperware™ bowl to make a circle that fits perfectly in the muffin tin.
- Spray the inside of the muffin well with PAM, then fit the dough circle into the tin without any hanging over.
- Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 15 minutes.
- Let cool for about 5 minutes, then carefully turn each basket out.
- Allow to cool completely.
- At this point, use scissors to trim any uneven edges. When they are completely cool, pipe a small amount of green icing into the center like grass, then add about 5 pastel M&Ms for the Easter eggs.
Variations
- Use different colored M&Ms for a rainbow effect.
- Add sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the baskets for a decadent touch.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Be sure to roll out the cookie dough to the right thickness to ensure that the baskets hold their shape.
- Use a small bowl or cookie cutter to cut out the dough circles for the baskets.
- Make sure to spray the muffin tin well with cooking spray to prevent the baskets from sticking.
- Allow the baskets to cool completely before decorating with icing and M&Ms.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Cookie Easter Baskets as a fun and festive dessert at Easter gatherings or as a sweet treat for kids.
Cooking Techniques
Rolling out the cookie dough to the right thickness is key to making the baskets hold their shape.
- Using a small bowl or cookie cutter to cut out the dough circles ensures uniformity in size.
- Decorating the baskets with icing and M&Ms adds a fun and colorful touch.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of store-bought for a more personalized touch.
- Use chocolate chips or mini marshmallows instead of M&Ms for a different filling.
Make Ahead Tips
Cookie Easter Baskets can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Presentation Ideas
Arrange Cookie Easter Baskets on a platter lined with Easter grass for a festive display.
Pairing Recommendations
Serve Cookie Easter Baskets with a glass of milk or a cup of tea for a delightful treat.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store Cookie Easter Baskets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Do not refrigerate as it may cause the cookies to become soggy.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
Each Cookie Easter Basket contains approximately 150 calories.
Carbohydrates
Each Cookie Easter Basket contains approximately 20 grams of carbohydrates.
Fats
Each Cookie Easter Basket contains approximately 8 grams of fat.
Proteins
Each Cookie Easter Basket contains approximately 2 grams of protein.
Vitamins and minerals
Cookie Easter Baskets are not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.
Alergens
Cookie Easter Baskets contain wheat and may contain traces of nuts and soy.
Summary
Cookie Easter Baskets are a sweet and indulgent treat that should be enjoyed in moderation due to their high sugar and fat content.
Summary
Cookie Easter Baskets are a fun and festive treat to make during the Easter season. These adorable little baskets are made from sugar cookie dough and filled with colorful M&Ms, making them a sweet and delightful addition to any Easter celebration. Enjoy these cute and tasty treats with friends and family this Easter!
How did I get this recipe?
I have a strong memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Cookie Easter Baskets. It was a warm spring day, and my mother and I were visiting our neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins was known for her delicious baked goods, and she always had a fresh batch of cookies or a pie cooling on her kitchen counter.
On this particular day, Mrs. Jenkins had a tray of cookie Easter baskets sitting on her table. The baskets were made of sugar cookie dough that had been shaped into little nests, filled with colorful jellybeans, and topped with a tiny chocolate Easter egg. They were the cutest things I had ever seen, and I couldn't wait to learn how to make them.
Mrs. Jenkins noticed my interest in the cookies and invited me to help her make a new batch. As we worked together in her sunny kitchen, she shared the story of how she had learned to make the cookies many years ago. It turns out that the recipe was passed down to her from her own grandmother, who had learned it from a neighbor who had emigrated from Germany.
The recipe for Cookie Easter Baskets was a labor of love, requiring patience and attention to detail. The dough had to be rolled out just right, and the baskets shaped carefully to hold their delicate shape while baking. Mrs. Jenkins showed me how to press the dough into muffin tins to create the basket shape, and how to use a fork to create the woven design around the edges.
As we worked, Mrs. Jenkins shared tips and tricks that she had picked up over the years. She told me that the key to a good sugar cookie dough was to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, and to chill the dough before rolling it out. She also showed me how to make a simple glaze for the cookies by mixing powdered sugar with a little milk and vanilla extract.
After we had finished baking the cookies and filling them with jellybeans and chocolate eggs, Mrs. Jenkins let me take a bite of one of the finished Cookie Easter Baskets. The cookie was buttery and crisp, with a sweet glaze that complemented the fruity jellybeans and rich chocolate egg perfectly. It was a taste of springtime in every bite, and I knew that I had to add this recipe to my collection.
Over the years, I have made Mrs. Jenkins' Cookie Easter Baskets many times, and each time I do, I think of her and the sunny afternoon we spent baking together. The cookies have become a tradition in our family, a sweet reminder of the changing seasons and the joy of sharing homemade treats with loved ones.
I have since shared the recipe with my own grandchildren, passing down the knowledge and love that Mrs. Jenkins shared with me so many years ago. I hope that they will continue to make Cookie Easter Baskets for years to come, creating their own memories and traditions around this special recipe.
As I write this, I can almost smell the sweet scent of sugar cookies baking in the oven, and I can't help but smile. The recipe for Cookie Easter Baskets may have come from a neighbor's kitchen many years ago, but it has become a cherished part of our family's culinary heritage. And for that, I am grateful.