Get ready to fall head over heels for these delightful Strawberry Sugar Cookies! With their crisp edges, soft centers, and bursts of sweet-tart strawberry flavor, these cookies are pure joy in every bite. Bursting with a beautiful blush of pink and a playful sparkle from sanding sugar, they’re not only delicious but also downright gorgeous. Whether you’re looking to brighten up a dessert table, surprise a friend, or bring a little color to your afternoon coffee break, Strawberry Sugar Cookies are beautifully simple, utterly irresistible, and bound to become your new baking obsession.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking Strawberry Sugar Cookies couldn’t be easier, and what makes them truly special is how each ingredient plays a role in the crave-worthy taste and bright appearance. Let’s walk through the list and see why every piece matters!
- Unsalted butter, softened: Brings rich flavor and guarantees that luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love.
- Granulated sugar: Provides classic sweetness and helps create that perfectly crisp edge.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for dough that holds up yet stays tender.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall aroma and rounds out the sweetness with warmth.
- Almond extract (optional): A hint of almond adds depth and an aromatic note that pairs magically with strawberry.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookies, creating structure while keeping them light.
- Baking powder: Gives just enough lift to keep the cookies soft and puffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brightens all the flavors.
- Freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed: These pack intense strawberry punch and lovely specks of color throughout each cookie.
- Strawberry jam (optional): For an extra boost of fruity flavor and even more moisture.
- Pink or red sanding sugar for rolling (optional): Adds a festive sparkle and crunch that makes each cookie stand out.
How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C); a properly heated oven ensures cookies bake evenly with just-the-right golden edges. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—this makes clean-up a breeze and stops any sticking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter together with the granulated sugar until it turns pale and fluffy. This step is essential for creating cookies with a tender crumb and slightly crisp exterior, so be patient and let your mixer work its magic for a few minutes.
Step 3: Mix in the Egg and Extracts
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it). Blend until everything is smooth and well incorporated. The extracts infuse each bite with irresistible flavor, while the egg helps bind and enrich the dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Mix gently—just until a soft dough forms—to keep your Strawberry Sugar Cookies tender, not tough.
Step 5: Add the Strawberry Magic
Fold in your crushed freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry jam (if using). The berries lend natural color and punchy fruit flavor, while the bit of jam makes the cookies even more moist and wonderfully chewy.
Step 6: Shape and Roll
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll each into a ball. For that signature sparkle, roll the balls in pink or red sanding sugar. Place on your prepared sheets about 2 inches apart to allow plenty of room for spreading. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass—the classic sugar cookie move!
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your cookies into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the centers are still lovely and soft. This keeps them ultra-tender and chewy inside! Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. The wait will be hard, but it’s worth it for that perfect texture.
How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
For an eye-catching finishing touch, sprinkle extra crushed freeze-dried strawberries or a tiny dusting of powdered sugar over the cooled cookies. Edible flower petals or a drizzle of melted white chocolate make these cookies feel even more special for parties or gifting.
Side Dishes
Pair your Strawberry Sugar Cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cup of creamy hot chocolate, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert bliss. They also shine alongside a berry salad or as a fun accent on a dessert platter stacked with a mix of springtime treats.
Creative Ways to Present
Package your cookies in a glass jar tied with a pastel ribbon for a beautiful homemade gift. For parties, arrange them in neat rows on a pink cake stand or tuck them into favor bags for guests. For a showstopping tea party, plate them with fresh strawberries and edible flowers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any remaining Strawberry Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. The cookies stay soft and flavorful for days, and that pretty pink color won’t fade!
Freezing
Want to get a head start? Freeze fully cooled cookies stacked between parchment sheets in a zip-top bag or airtight container; they’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls—just bake them straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds or warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven. This brings out the cookies’ softness and releases all those dreamy strawberry aromas!
FAQs
How can I make my cookies even pinker?
If you crave a deeper pink hue for your Strawberry Sugar Cookies, you can add a tiny drop of pink gel food coloring to the dough, or simply use more freeze-dried strawberries for natural color.
Can I substitute the freeze-dried strawberries?
For that intense strawberry flavor and pretty color, freeze-dried is best, but if you can’t find them, try pulverizing dried strawberries or omitting them and relying on strawberry jam plus a little strawberry extract.
What type Dessert
Go for a high-quality, seedless strawberry jam with real fruit for the deepest flavor. Homemade or artisan jams will give the boldest strawberry pop in your cookies.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
If your cookies spread too much in the oven, make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and try chilling the dough balls in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes before baking.
Are these Strawberry Sugar Cookies suitable for gifting?
Absolutely! These cookies hold their shape, color, and texture beautifully, so they’re perfect for packaging in boxes, gift tins, or decorative jars for birthdays, thank you gifts, or holiday treats.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try making Strawberry Sugar Cookies! They’re cheerful, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser—whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, these cookies never fail to bring smiles. Enjoy treating yourself and your loved ones to something truly special!
