Celebrate Mother’s Day with these beautifully crafted decorated sugar cookies. Soft, buttery, and adorned with delicate floral icing or edible flower accents, these cookies are a sweet tribute to the most important woman in your life. Whether you’re gifting a box or serving them at a brunch, they’re sure to charm and delight.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These sugar cookies are the perfect combination of simplicity and elegance. The dough is easy to work with, resulting in soft, tender cookies that hold their shape beautifully. The decorating possibilities are endless—from pastel icing and piped flowers to edible florals and elegant sprinkles. Ideal for all skill levels, this recipe makes it easy to create heartfelt, homemade treats for Mother’s Day.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

For Decorating:

Royal icing (white and assorted gel food colors)
Edible flowers or flower icing toppers
Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
Roll the dough to ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Cut dough into shapes using round or floral cookie cutters.
Transfer to prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are just lightly golden.
Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks.
Decorate with royal icing in floral designs. Add painted details using gel colors, or press edible flowers into the icing while it’s wet.
Let cookies sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight to allow icing to set.

Servings and timing

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: Makes approximately 24 cookies
Calories: Around 120 kcal per cookie

Variations

Lemon or Almond Flavor: Add ½ teaspoon of lemon or almond extract to enhance the flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary needs.
Color Themes: Match icing colors to seasonal flowers or your mother’s favorite color palette.
Text Messages: Pipe sweet messages like “Love You Mom” or “Best Mom Ever” with fine icing tips.
Pressed Floral: Use edible pressed flowers for a natural, garden-inspired finish.

Storage/Reheating

Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies and decorate after thawing. Avoid refrigerating decorated cookies, as moisture can affect the icing texture. Reheating is not recommended to preserve the decorations.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

What kind of royal icing should I use?

You can use homemade or store-bought royal icing. Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors without thinning the icing.

Can I use cookie cutters of any shape?

Yes, round, heart, or floral-shaped cutters work well for Mother’s Day themes.

How long does it take for royal icing to set?

Allow at least 4 hours for the icing to fully dry, or let cookies sit overnight for best results.

Are these cookies suitable for gifting?

Absolutely. Once the icing is dry, pack them in boxes or cellophane bags with a ribbon for a thoughtful, elegant gift.

Can I use store-bought icing?

Yes, though homemade royal icing gives you better control for decorating and consistency.

How do I press edible flowers onto cookies?

Place flowers on wet icing and press gently. Let them dry undisturbed to secure them in place.

Do the cookies stay soft after baking?

Yes, these cookies are designed to remain soft and tender if not overbaked.

Can I add color to the dough?

You can tint the dough with gel food coloring before baking for a colorful surprise inside.

What’s the best way to transport decorated cookies?

Place them in a single layer in a rigid container with parchment between layers to prevent smudging.

Conclusion

These Mother’s Day decorated sugar cookies are a charming way to show appreciation with something sweet and handmade. With their tender crumb and beautiful decoration, they’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Whether shared over tea or given as a gift, they make any Mother’s Day celebration truly special.

Mother’s Day Decorated Sugar Cookies

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Soft sugar cookies delicately decorated with florals, icing, and spring colors—perfect for celebrating Mom with sweetness and style.

Author: Asma
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into the butter mixture until dough forms.
Roll dough out to ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Cut out using round or floral cookie cutters.
Transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden.
Let cool completely on wire racks before decorating.
Pipe royal icing in floral patterns or outlines.
Add hand-painted flower details with edible gel colors, or press edible flowers into the icing while it’s wet.
Allow icing to set at room temperature for several hours or overnight before serving or packaging.

Notes

Do not overbake—cookies should remain soft and lightly golden.
Chill dough for easier rolling and cleaner cookie cutter edges.
Use a scribe tool or toothpick to help shape icing details.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 30mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg