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Vegetarian Research

Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookies

My Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookies are easy to make and so much fun to decorate! I used a shortbread cookie base to make these cookies more traditional and tart-like, but you can also use a sugar cookie base if you like. The mascarpone cream ties everything together and makes these cookies so special. Both kids and adults will have a blast decorating and eating these alternative Easter eggs this year.

close up of brightly colored Easter Egg Cookies with fresh fruit and mascarpone cheese

If there’s one thing I enjoy as much as I love cooking, it’s crafting, and it makes me really happy when those two things come together. I love using my hands to create beautiful things, and playing with our food can be really fun and delicious, despite what your parents told you! These Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookies are one of my favorite creations yet, and I enjoyed making them just as much as I enjoyed eating them.

If you love food and crafting, I hope you’ll really enjoy this fun, edible Easter activity!

showing how to make shortbread cutout easter egg cookies

Why You’ll Love These Fun Easter Egg Cookies

  • Fun to make – I don’t know about you, but I love a good craft project, and making these Easter cookies is like one! You can make your cookies as creative as you like or keep them simple. Either way, both kids and adults will have fun making these.
  • A great alternative to dying Easter eggs – Egg prices are a bit high right now, so I thought these Easter egg cookies would be a great alternative to using real eggs. You can decorate them with all kinds of beautiful, edible ingredients.
  • Taste great – These Easter Egg Cookies are not only pretty to look at, but they also taste great! They’re not overly sweet, so they can be enjoyed for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. You can also make them sweeter using vanilla or cream cheese frosting and a sugar cookie base.

showing how to make the mascarpone cream and spread it on top of the easter egg shaped cookies

Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookie Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Cookie – I wanted to make these Easter egg cookies taste as much like fruit tarts as possible, so I used a traditional shortbread cutout cookie dough recipe (linked in the recipe card), and then I used my egg cookie cutter to shape the cookies. Instead of shortbread, you can use any kind of cut-out cookie or pie dough. Sugar cookie dough would work great. Other options to choose from include puff pastry rolled out thinly, toasted bread, pancakes, or waffles. You can really use anything that can be cut into an egg shape, which goes well with cream cheese and fruit.
  • Cream – I used mascarpone cheese, softened at room temperature, and mixed in maple syrup and vanilla extract for sweetness. Mascarpone substitutes include cream cheese, cream cheese frosting, vanilla frosting, whipped cream, or pastry custard/cream.
  • Toppings – You can get as creative as you like when decorating these fun Easter cookies. I used a mixture of fresh fruits, including dragon fruit, star fruit, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, and pomegranate. You can also decorate with dried fruits, nuts, or seeds. Use your imagination, and nothing edible is off-limits!

showing all the fruit that I used to make these creative easter egg cookies

How To Make These Cute Easter Cookies

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out your cookie dough until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. If it’s sticky, you can roll it out on a lightly floured surface or between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use an Easter egg cookie cutter to cut out as many easter egg shapes as possible from the dough.  Depending on your cookie sheet size, you may have to do a few batches. You can make as many or as few egg-shaped cookies as you need. The recipe I used made 12-13 cookies.
  2. Place the dough in the oven and bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven, transfer cookies to a cooling rack, and allow to cool fully. Repeat with the remaining dough until finished.
  3. Add the softened mascarpone or cream cheese to a medium-sized bowl and add pure maple syrup and vanilla extract to taste. You can make it as sweet as you like. Powdered sugar can also be mixed in for sweetness, or you could use a cream cheese frosting. Mix until completely combined.
  4. Use a spoon to carefully spread the mascarpone cheese over the cookies, and then use a knife to even it out. Shortbread cookies can be a bit fragile, so make sure the cream spread is at room temperature. If your cookies have any bubbles, you can use the bottom side, which was against the cookie sheet; that side should be completely flat.
  5. You can cut the fruits into different shapes and plan how you want to decorate each cookie. It’s fun to play around with varying combinations of fruit and flavors. Feel free to use any other edible ingredients you like. These are best when enjoyed shortly after making, as the pie crust can get a bit soggy if stored overnight. Have fun and enjoy!

close up of a few of my favorite Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookies

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • Make this recipe gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free cut-out cookie recipe.
  • Make this recipe vegan by using a vegan cream cheese substitute.
  • Which shortbread cookie recipe did you use?  I used this one, and it worked great!
  • Do I need to use shortbread cookies? No, you can use any kind of cut-out cookie dough you like for this recipe. I’ve also made these cookies using store-bought pie crust, saving a lot of time.
  • How long do leftovers last? I suggest eating these fruit tart cookies soon after making them, as they can get a bit soggy if left sitting out for too long. If you need to store them, store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP!

cutting boards showcasing different designs on these Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookies

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Flower Garden Graham Crackers

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Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookies



5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    45 minutes


  • Yield:
    10
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Easter Egg Cookies are easy to make and so much fun to decorate!  I used a shortbread cookie base for these, to make them more traditional and tart-like, but you can also use a sugar cookie base, if you like. The mascarpone cream ties everything together and makes these cookies so special. Both kids and adults will have a blast decorating and eating these alternative easter eggs this year.


Ingredients

  • 1 traditional shortbread cookie recipe
  • 12 containers mascarpone cheese, or cream cheese, softened to room temperature (I used one 8 oz tub for about 8 cookies)
  • Pure maple syrup, to taste
  • Vanilla extract, to taste
  • Your favorite brightly colored fruit, nuts, seeds, herbs, etc…
    • I used dragonfruit, star fruit, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate seeds



Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out your cookie dough until it’s about 1/4th inch thick. You can roll it out on a lightly floured surface, or between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper, if it’s sticky.  Use an Easter egg cookie cutter to cut out as many easter egg shapes as you can out of the dough.  You may have to do a few batches, depending on how big your cookie sheet is.  You can make as many or as few egg shaped cookies as you need.  The recipe I used made 12-13 cookies.
  2. Place the dough in the oven and bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven, transfer cookies to a cooling rack, and allow to cool fully. Repeat with the remaining dough until finished.
  3. Add the softened mascarpone or cream cheese to a medium-sized bowl and add pure maple syrup and vanilla extract, to taste. You can make it as sweet as you like. Powdered sugar can also be mixed in for sweetness, or you could use a cream cheese frosting. Mix until completely combined.
  4. Use a spoon to carefully spread the mascarpone cheese all over the cookies, and then use a knife to even it out.  Shortbread cookies can be a little fragile so make sure the cream spread is at room temperature so it’s easier to spread.  If your cookies have any bubbles, you can use the other side, which was against the cookie sheet, that should be completely flat.
  5. You can cut the fruits into different shapes and plan how you want to decorate each cookie.  It’s fun to play around with different fruit combinations and flavors. Feel free to use any other edible ingredients you like. These are best when enjoyed shortly after making, as the pie crust can get a bit soggy if stored overnight. Have fun and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe is really versatile and can easily be customized to your own taste preferences.  Instead of shortbread, you can use sugar cookie dough or puff pastry.  And, rather than mascarpone, you can use cream cheese, vanilla frosting, whipped cream, icing or even something like peanut butter.

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

The post Fruit Tart Easter Egg Cookies appeared first on She Likes Food.

Vegetarian Research

Dairy-Free Green Goddess Dressing

My dairy-free Green Goddess Dressing is easy to make, versatile, and packed with flavor. The tahini base adds a nuttiness that pairs perfectly with the fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon juice. Enjoy this vibrant homemade dressing on salads, pasta, sandwiches, pizza, and more.

dairy free green goddess dressing in a glass container

Fresh herbs are one of my favorite things to grow in the garden each summer. They grow quickly and are usually easy to maintain. I love having them on hand to throw into salads, sandwiches, hummus, drinks, and more. This dairy-free Green Goddess Dressing has to be one of the best ways to use them! It’s packed with flavor and perfect for all your summer salad needs. Let me know in the comments if you try it!

Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Summer Dressing

  • Vibrant color – You’ll love the bright green color of this fresh Green Goddess dressing. It’s made with lots of fresh herbs, and I love that you can really tell that just by looking at it.
  • Flavorful – This tahini-based dressing is anything but boring.  Each bite is packed with the flavors of fresh herbs, lemon juice, and garlic. It is also easy to customize based on your favorite herbs.
  • Versatile – My dairy-free green goddess dressing can be used in many ways. I like to have it on hand for summer salads, but it can also be used as a sandwich or wrap spread, a marinade for tofu or fish, and can even be tossed into pasta salad for a fresh and flavorful dressing.

Fresh herbs on a cutting board for the green goddess dressing

Why Your Body Will Love This Healthy Salad Dressing

  • Fresh Herbs – Fresh herbs can help support the immune system in many ways. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help fight disease by combating harmful free radicals. Herbs like mint, parsley, and dill can also help stimulate the appetite and aid the digestive process. 
  • Tahini – Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds, perfect for dressings and sauce recipes. It’s a great source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Although tahini contains a small amount of saturated fat, most of its fats are polyunsaturated (omega-6 fatty acids) and monounsaturated, which is great for overall health.

Green Goddess Dressing Recipe Ingredients

  • Tahini – I love using tahini in my salad dressings because it adds creaminess without adding any dairy. It’s a great base for this recipe and goes well with all of the fresh herbs.
  • Vinegar – I like to add a little bit of red wine vinegar to this recipe. It pairs well with lemon juice, adding a bit more depth of flavor.
  • Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice is a must in almost all of my salad dressings. It really brightens everything up, and I tend to always have them on hand.
  • Garlic – I prefer using fresh garlic for this recipe over store-bought minced garlic. You can add as much or as little garlic as you like. Granulated garlic can also be used, if you prefer.
  • Fresh Herbs – For my green goddess dressing recipe, I used a mixture of basil, parsley, mint, green onion, and dill. You can use any fresh herbs you like, though. Leave out the ones you don’t care for and add extra of the ones you enjoy.

How To Make Dairy-Free Green Goddess Dressing

  1. Add all the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend on high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute. Dressing should be light green in color.  Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, and add extra lemon juice or water if necessary to thin it out. 
  2. Green goddess dressing should be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Dressing is freshest if enjoyed within a week. Use this dressing on salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, and more.

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • This recipe is already both gluten-free and vegan.
  • Is this recipe spicy? No, mine was not spicy at all. If you want extra spice, I recommend adding in a few pickled jalapeños or some cayenne pepper.
  • Does this dressing require fresh herbs? Yes, I use only fresh herbs in this dressing recipe. You are welcome to experiment with dried herbs, but I haven’t done so yet. I will update the post when I do.
  • How should this green goddess dressing be used? It can be used in various ways, including on salads, pasta, sandwiches, wraps, vegetables, and more.
  • How long does this salad dressing last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 1 week.
  • Do all the herbs listed have to be used? No, I used all my favorite fresh herbs, but if there’s some that you don’t like or can’t get, feel free to substitute them with what you have.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP!

Looking For More Flavorful Tahini Recipes?

Vegan Caramel Sauce with Tahini and Maple Syrup

Tahini Roasted Broccoli

Black Bean Wraps with Chipotle Tahini Sauce

Easy Ginger Tahini Noodles

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Curry Tahini Dressing


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Dairy Free Green Goddess Dressing



5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    15 minutes


  • Yield:
    8
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

My dairy free Green Goddess Dressing is easy to make, versatile and packed with so much flavor. The tahini base adds a nuttiness that goes so well with all of the fresh herbs, garlic and lemon juice. Enjoy this vibrant homemade dressing on salads, pasta, sandwiches, pizza and more.


Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon tamari, or soy sauce
  • 12 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup a mix of your favorite leafy fresh herbs*
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper



Instructions

  1. Add all the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend on high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute.  Dressing should be light green in color.  Taste and adjust any seasonings as needed, and add extra lemon juice or water if you need to thin it out at all.
  2. Green goddess dressing should be stored in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator.  Dressing is freshest if enjoyed within a week.  Use this dressing on salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta and more.

Notes

*I used a mixture of parsley, dill, basil, green onion, and mint.  You can use any kind of fresh herbs you like.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American

The post Dairy-Free Green Goddess Dressing appeared first on She Likes Food.

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