Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe

The Dreamiest Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Soft, buttery cookies dance with vibrant strawberry notes in this delightful strawberry sugar cookies recipe that promises pure bliss.

Sweet strawberry essence weaves magic through each tender bite, creating a dessert that sparkles with fruity charm.

Delicate pink hues beckon from the cookie sheet, hinting at the luscious flavor waiting to unfold.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center, making these cookies irresistibly smooth and inviting.

Simple ingredients transform into a bakery-worthy treat that feels both elegant and comforting.

Fresh strawberries or strawberry extract bring a burst of summer sunshine to every crumb.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom with the first delectable taste.

Strawberry Sugar Cookies Sparkling Features

  • Craft Unique Flavor: Dive into a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies with the vibrant, fruity essence of strawberries that sets these treats apart from ordinary recipes.
  • Quick and Simple Preparation: Whip up these cookies with minimal steps, using common kitchen tools and ingredients that make baking a breeze for both novice and experienced bakers.
  • Stunning Visual Appeal: Create eye-catching cookies with a sparkling strawberry sugar coating that adds a gorgeous pink shimmer and makes these treats perfect for parties, gifts, or special occasions.
  • Customize with Ease: Experiment with different extracts or food colorings to personalize the cookies, making them a versatile recipe that adapts to your creative baking mood.

Ingredients for Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Main Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides tender texture and deep flavor to the cookies.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a soft, delicate crumb.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shape and texture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract, Strawberry Extract: Add depth and complementary fruity notes to the cookie flavor.
  • Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Creates a concentrated strawberry powder for coating and intense berry flavor.
  • Food Coloring: Provides a soft pink hue to match the strawberry theme.
Coating and Finishing:
  • Sparkling Sugar, Strawberry Sugar: Adds a decorative, crunchy exterior and extra strawberry sweetness to the cookie surface.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

Steps for Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Craft Strawberry Powder

Grab your blender and transform freeze-dried strawberries into a fine, vibrant powder.

Crush the berries until they become a soft, dusty texture that will give your cookies an incredible strawberry essence.

Create a separate bowl with sparkling sugar, mixing in some of the strawberry powder for a dazzling coating that will make your cookies shine.

Step 2: Whip Up Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Crack in eggs, then add vanilla extract and a touch of pink food coloring for a playful strawberry-inspired hue.

In another bowl, whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix and create tough cookies.

Step 3: Chill and Relax

Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

This magical waiting period allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up, ensuring perfect cookie texture.

Step 4: Shape Delightful Cookies

Scoop out portions of the chilled dough and roll them into smooth balls.

Roll each ball generously in the sparkling strawberry sugar mixture, creating a glittery, sweet exterior that will make these cookies irresistible.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Place the sugar-coated dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Bake for 10 minutes, watching for the tops to set and the edges to turn slightly golden.

Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

  • Grind freeze-dried strawberries into fine dust using a food processor for intense, concentrated strawberry flavor without added moisture.
  • Roll cookie dough balls generously in strawberry sparkling sugar before baking to create a beautiful, crunchy exterior with extra sweetness.
  • Let dough rest in refrigerator for minimum 2 hours to prevent spreading and ensure thick, soft cookies with clean edges.
  • Add a few drops of pink or red food coloring to enhance the strawberry theme and create vibrant, visually appealing cookies.
  • Pat freeze-dried strawberries completely dry before grinding to prevent clumping and maintain powder's fine texture.

Variations for Sparkling Strawberry Cookies

  • Vegan Berry Bliss: Replace butter with coconut oil and eggs with flax eggs. Use plant-based food coloring and gluten-free flour for an allergen-friendly version.
  • Tropical Fruit Fusion: Swap strawberry powder with freeze-dried mango or passion fruit powder. Create a vibrant yellow or orange sugar coating for a tropical flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Strawberry Delight: Use almond flour or gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.
  • Low-Sugar Berry Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the cookie's delicious strawberry essence.

Ways to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies

  • Berry Brunch Companion: Pair these cookies with a light strawberry mimosa or fresh fruit smoothie for a delightful morning treat.
  • Dessert Platter Star: Arrange cookies on a beautiful platter alongside other pastel-colored desserts like lavender macarons or lemon bars for an Instagram-worthy spread.
  • Tea Time Elegance: Serve these delicate strawberry cookies with a classic earl grey tea or rose-infused herbal blend for an afternoon indulgence.
  • Gift of Sweetness: Package cookies in cute clear boxes with ribbons, making them a perfect homemade gift for birthdays, bridal showers, or just because.

Storage for Sparkling Strawberry Cookies

  • Store cooled cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their soft texture.
  • Carefully layer cookies between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, where they'll stay delicious for up to 3 months.
  • Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help maintain cookie softness and prevent them from becoming dry or stale.
  • Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve their delicate strawberry flavor and sparkling sugar coating.

FAQs

  • What are freeze-dried strawberries and why use them in this recipe?

Freeze-dried strawberries are fruits with moisture removed through a special freezing process, creating an intense strawberry flavor and powdery texture perfect for making natural strawberry powder for the cookie coating.

  • Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried ones?

No, fresh strawberries contain too much moisture and won’t work for creating the powder or sugar coating. Freeze-dried strawberries are essential for achieving the concentrated strawberry flavor and dry texture needed in this recipe.

  • How do I ensure my cookies have a vibrant strawberry color?

Use gel food coloring instead of liquid, as it provides more intense color without affecting the dough’s consistency. Add a few drops gradually and mix until you achieve the desired pink or red shade.

Print
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Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe

Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet strawberry sugar cookies bring a delightful twist to classic cookie recipes, blending fruity freshness with buttery goodness. Homemade treats promise pure pleasure, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of strawberry-infused goodness.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

Flavor and Coloring Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons (36g) freeze dried strawberry powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring

Dry Ingredients and Leavening Agents:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Coating:

  • 1/2 cup sparkling sugar
  • 1 tablespoon freeze dried strawberry powder for coating

Instructions

  1. Transform freeze-dried strawberries into fine powder using a blender or food processor. Create a vibrant sparkling sugar coating by mixing regular sugar with the strawberry powder.
  2. Cream room temperature butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, and food coloring, mixing until smooth and uniform.
  3. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
  4. Wrap dough in plastic and chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up for easier handling.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a cookie scoop, form uniform dough balls and roll generously in prepared strawberry sparkling sugar.
  6. Arrange coated cookie dough balls on prepared sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and tops appear set but not browned. Cookies will continue cooking slightly after removal from oven.
  8. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling. Sparkling sugar coating will crystallize and add delightful texture.

Notes

  • Grinding freeze-dried strawberries creates an intense, concentrated flavor without adding moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and ensures a thicker, more structured cookie with defined edges.
  • Use a light hand when mixing dry ingredients to keep cookies tender and avoid developing too much gluten.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 80mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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