Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you have a soft spot for cookies that are both vibrant and bursting with flavor, then this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe is going to steal your heart. Imagine tender, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies with a beautiful pink hue thanks to freeze-dried strawberries, delivering a subtle fruitiness in every bite. These cookies strike the perfect balance between classic sweetness and fresh strawberry charm, making them a delightful treat for any occasion or just a cozy afternoon snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to cookie bliss. Each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture and flavor that define these strawberry sugar cookies, so let’s walk through these essentials that come together effortlessly.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives the cookies structure and keeps them soft yet sturdy.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Works alongside the baking soda to add lightness and airiness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens while helping create that slightly crisp edge.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the tender texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the cookie’s flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle, nutty note that beautifully complements the strawberry.
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries (crushed into powder): The star ingredient that infuses natural strawberry flavor and a lovely pink color.
- ¼ cup additional granulated sugar (for rolling): Gives the exterior a sweet, sparkling crunch.
How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This creates the perfect non-stick surface and helps your cookies bake evenly without browning too quickly.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed, which is key to your cookies having that perfect soft rise.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s fluffy and pale. This step is crucial because it aerates the dough, giving your cookies their tender, light bite.
Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. These ingredients are flavor powerhouses, and beating them well with the butter blend helps to marry all the delicious notes together.
Step 5: Incorporate Strawberry Powder and Dry Mix
Fold in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries, which provide that unforgettable fruity tang and gorgeous pink tint. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix to keep those cookies soft.
Step 6: Shape and Sugar-Coat
Scoop the dough into generous 1½ tablespoon-sized balls, then roll each in the extra granulated sugar. This adds a little sparkle and an irresistible sweet crunch to the cookie edges once baked.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Place the dough balls about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look soft. Let them rest on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time helps them firm up to the perfect chewy-soft texture.
How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are lovely enough on their own, but you can dress them up by pressing a thin slice of fresh strawberry or a small piece of white chocolate into the center before baking. A light dusting of powdered sugar after baking also adds a charming, elegant touch.
Side Dishes
Pair these strawberry sugar cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea to amplify their sweet, fruity notes. They also complement vanilla ice cream perfectly if you want to turn them into a quick dessert sandwich.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, stack these cookies with layers of cream cheese frosting dyed pink with a bit of strawberry powder, creating dreamy little cookie sandwiches. Or arrange them on a pretty platter with fresh berries and mint leaves for a stunning dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This helps maintain their softness and ensures they stay fresh for as long as possible.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies for up to three months. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a sealed container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for a sweet treat.
Reheating
If you prefer your strawberry sugar cookies warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 3 to 5 minutes. This will revive their softness and enhance that fresh-from-the-oven aroma.
FAQs
Can I substitute freeze-dried strawberries with fresh strawberries?
Fresh strawberries add more moisture, which can alter the cookie texture and color. Freeze-dried strawberries are preferred because they provide intense flavor without changing dough consistency.
Is almond extract necessary in the Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe?
Almond extract is optional but highly recommended for a subtle nutty hint that complements the strawberry flavor beautifully. If you’re allergic or don’t have it on hand, vanilla extract alone works just fine.
How do I get the cookies to be soft and not crunchy?
Make sure not to overbake them—taking them out when the edges are just set but centers remain slightly soft results in perfectly tender cookies after cooling.
Can I add strawberry extract instead of freeze-dried strawberry powder?
Yes! Strawberry extract can boost the fruitiness but won’t provide the pretty pink color or texture that freeze-dried powder offers. Consider using both for an extra strawberry punch.
How many cookies does this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe make?
This recipe yields about 24 deliciously soft and fruity cookies, perfect for sharing or indulging yourself over a few days.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe enough—it’s a joy to bake and an absolute delight to eat. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends and family, these cookies bring a cheerful burst of strawberry sweetness in every bite. Give them a try, and I promise they’ll quickly become one of your favorite homemade treats.
Print
Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with natural strawberry flavor thanks to freeze-dried strawberries powder. Perfectly sweet with a delicate hint of almond and vanilla, these cookies make a delightful dessert or snack that’s visually charming with their subtle pink hue. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection, they offer a classic cookie experience with a fruity twist.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Flavoring & Coating
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder
- ¼ cup additional granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly mixed. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with 1¼ cups granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this will give your cookies a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Gently mix in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries to infuse the dough with natural strawberry flavor and a pretty pink tint.
- Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Form and Sugar Coat Dough Balls: Scoop the dough into approximately 1½ tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball in the additional ¼ cup granulated sugar to give a sweet, crackly exterior.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after baking before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and ensures perfect texture.
Notes
- For an extra boost of strawberry flavor, consider adding 1–2 teaspoons of strawberry extract into the wet ingredients.
- For fun variations, press a piece of white chocolate or a fresh strawberry slice into the center of each dough ball before baking.
- Make sure not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can make the cookies dense.
- Freeze-dried strawberries can be found in most grocery stores or specialty baking shops; finely crushing them enhances even flavor distribution.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
