If you are looking for a delightful twist on a classic treat, this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These cookies boast a perfect balance of sweet, buttery richness paired with a burst of natural strawberry flavor from freeze-dried strawberry powder. Each bite melts in your mouth with a tender crumb and a subtle fruity aroma, making them irresistible for cookie lovers and strawberry fans alike. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to brighten your day, this recipe is a charming crowd-pleaser that’s both simple to make and endlessly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential, blending to create cookies with fantastic texture, rich flavor, and that lovely pink hue from the strawberry powder. Each one plays a special role in bringing this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe to life.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that provides structure and chewiness.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Gives a gentle lift for soft, tender cookies.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors perfectly.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps create the perfect crumb.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light, fluffy dough.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to softness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the strawberries.
- 3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder: Packs intense strawberry flavor and a pretty pink tint without extra moisture.
How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper – this ensures an even bake and easy cleanup. While the oven warms, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Mixing the dry ingredients first guarantees even distribution and avoids clumps later on.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, which helps the cookies rise and gives them a tender texture. The sugar also helps add a slight crunch on the outside as the cookies bake.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture. The egg acts as a binder while the vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile with its sweet aroma, complementing the strawberry powder beautifully.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as you see no more dry flour. This keeps your cookies soft and tender.
Step 5: Fold in Strawberry Powder
Gently fold in the freeze-dried strawberry powder, making sure it’s evenly incorporated. This ingredient infuses the dough with natural fruity flavor and gives your cookies that lovely pink speckling that looks as good as they taste.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. This spacing allows them to spread evenly without sticking to each other. Flatten each ball slightly by pressing the bottom of a glass onto them—this helps achieve that classic sugar cookie shape with crisp edges.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for edges to turn a soft golden color. Be careful not to overbake, as these cookies are best when still tender inside. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Add a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of white chocolate to elevate the cookies visually and add an extra layer of sweetness. Fresh strawberry slices or edible flowers can also make a charming garnish if serving at a party or tea.
Side Dishes
Pair these strawberry-infused sugar cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cup of herbal tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat. The creamy beverage or dessert complement the fruity notes perfectly and enhance the overall experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching two cookies together with a layer of strawberry jam or cream cheese frosting for a delectable cookie sandwich. Alternatively, place them in festive tins or wrap them with colorful ribbons as sweet, homemade gifts your friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Keeping them sealed prevents them from drying out and helps maintain their soft texture. Layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking together.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these cookies freeze wonderfully. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months and thaw quickly when you’re ready for a sweet snack.
Reheating
To enjoy the cookies warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This reheating method brings back their soft, freshly-baked feel which is hard to resist!
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried strawberry powder?
Fresh strawberries add extra moisture which can change the cookie texture significantly. Freeze-dried powder is preferred because it delivers intense flavor without altering the dough’s consistency.
What if I don’t have baking powder? Can I use baking soda instead?
Baking powder and baking soda are not interchangeable one-to-one. Baking powder contains acid to help cookies rise on its own. If you use baking soda, you’ll need to add an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, but for this recipe, stick with baking powder for best results.
How do I make the cookies more colorful? Can I add food coloring?
You can indeed add a few drops of pink or red food coloring if you want a more vibrant look. Just add it with the wet ingredients when creaming the butter and sugar for an even color.
Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
The Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe yields soft and slightly chewy cookies with crisp edges. They’re the perfect balance if you like tender cookies but enjoy a little crunch on the outside.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! The recipe scales up nicely. Just be sure you have enough space for baking sheets and monitor the baking time closely since larger batches can sometimes need an extra minute or two in the oven.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite bakes to share with friends and family. It’s joyful, flavorful, and refreshingly easy to make. If you’re craving something sweet with a hint of fruity brightness, you really can’t go wrong here. So grab your ingredients, turn on some music, and enjoy the simple pleasure of baking something wonderful from scratch!
Print
Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these vibrant Strawberry Sugar Cookies, perfectly soft and bursting with natural strawberry flavor from freeze-dried strawberry powder. These classic cookies are enhanced with a subtle fruity twist that makes them perfect for any occasion, from afternoon tea to festive parties.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Flavoring
- 3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well combined, which helps to create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar until fully incorporated, adding flavor and moisture to the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and maintaining a tender crumb.
- Incorporate Strawberry Powder: Fold in the freeze-dried strawberry powder evenly into the cookie dough to infuse the cookies with a natural strawberry flavor and a pretty pink hue.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing each ball about 2 inches apart to give the cookies room to spread.
- Flatten Dough Balls: Gently flatten each dough ball slightly by pressing down with the bottom of a glass, which helps the cookies bake evenly with a classic sugar cookie shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked through while staying soft inside.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps the cookies firm up without becoming hard.
Notes
- Freeze-dried strawberry powder adds natural strawberry flavor and color without moisture; avoid substituting with strawberry jam or fresh strawberries.
- Make sure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the best texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
