Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Craving a sweet, soft treat that bursts with fresh flavor? Our Strawberry Sugar Cookies recipe will soon become your favorite go-to for every occasion. These delightful cookies combine the classic buttery sugar cookie texture with vibrant strawberry notes, creating an irresistible balance of sweet and fruity. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cozy afternoon snack, or just because, these Strawberry Sugar Cookies promise perfectly sweet treats every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Chewy Texture: Achieve the perfect balance between tender softness and just enough chewiness for a satisfying bite.
- Fresh Strawberry Flavor: Real strawberry puree or jam infuses the dough to give every cookie a delightful fruity twist.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh strawberries, making the recipe easy and approachable.
- Customizable Sweetness: You can easily adjust the sugar level to suit your personal preference or dietary needs.
- Perfect for Gifting: Beautifully pink and festive, these cookies make charming homemade gifts or party treats.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Strawberry Sugar Cookies are crafted from simple, essential ingredients that each play an important role in creating their distinct taste, delicate texture, and lovely pink hue. Using fresh strawberries or quality puree elevates the flavor naturally without artificial additives.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and keeps the cookies tender yet sturdy enough to hold their shape.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise lightly and develop a soft crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a buttery flavor, softened for easy mixing.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies while contributing to a slightly crisp edge.
- Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture for a chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Amplifies the overall sweetness and complements the strawberry flavor.
- Pureed Strawberries or Strawberry Jam: The star ingredient that infuses the dough with vibrant, natural strawberry flavor and a soft pink color.
Variations for Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Feel free to play around with this Strawberry Sugar Cookies recipe to suit your taste buds or dietary restrictions. It’s incredibly easy to adapt while still capturing that delicious strawberry essence.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a safe and tasty alternative.
- Lemon Zest Twist: Add a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy contrast.
- Strawberry-Chocolate Combo: Mix in mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies.
- Vegan Version: Use coconut oil instead of butter and flax egg as an egg replacer for a plant-based treat.
- Decorated Style: Top with strawberry-flavored icing or colored sugar sprinkles for festive occasions.
How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by gathering all ingredients and softening the butter to room temperature. If using fresh strawberries, puree them finely and let the mixture drain to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of rising agents and seasoning.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy. This step is key for tender cookies.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter mixture, mixing until fully combined. Then slowly fold in the strawberry puree or jam to infuse the dough with natural flavor.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies soft and tender.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling helps develop flavor and ensures cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into balls and place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Flatten slightly if desired, then bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Sugar Cookies
- Use Fresh Strawberries: Puree fresh strawberries for the most vibrant flavor rather than relying solely on jam.
- Drain Excess Liquid: Remove excess juice from the puree with a fine sieve to prevent soggy dough.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling; it dramatically improves texture and keeps cookies from spreading too much.
- Don’t Overbake: Slightly underbake for a soft and chewy center that melts in your mouth.
- Customize Sweetness: Taste the dough before chilling and adjust sugar if you prefer sweeter or milder cookies.
How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Enhance your presentation by topping cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate. Fresh strawberry slices or edible flower petals also add a beautiful finishing touch.
Side Dishes
Strawberry Sugar Cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, a cup of fragrant tea, or fresh fruit salad for a balanced snack that’s both satisfying and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange cookies in a colorful stack on a pretty plate or use decorative tins for gifting. For parties, serve them alongside complementary treats like strawberry lemonade or lemonade-infused cupcakes to amplify the fruity theme.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Strawberry Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to ensure they retain their softness and flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a tray first and then transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag once solid. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm cookies gently in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) to revive that fresh-baked softness and aroma.
FAQs
Can I substitute jam for fresh strawberries in the recipe?
Yes, using strawberry jam works well as a convenient alternative, but fresh pureed strawberries provide a brighter, fresher flavor and a more natural texture.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure to chill the dough before baking and avoid over-softening the butter to keep the cookies from spreading excessively in the oven.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix designed for cookies, and the results will be just as delightful.
How long do Strawberry Sugar Cookies last?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for up to five days.
Can I add other fruits to the recipe?
Yes, you can experiment by adding small amounts of pureed raspberries or blueberries for a mixed berry twist, but the flavor and color might slightly change.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a cookie recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, these Strawberry Sugar Cookies check all the boxes. Their soft texture, bright strawberry flavor, and easy preparation make them a delightful baking project for any season. Gather your ingredients, get your apron on, and enjoy the sweet satisfaction of homemade strawberry goodness!
Related Posts
- Strawberry Glazed French Crullers
- Red Velvet Chocolate Heart Cookies
- Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Delight in soft, chewy Strawberry Sugar Cookies bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. These buttery, tender cookies combine classic sugar cookie texture with real strawberry puree or jam for a naturally pink, fruity twist. Perfect for parties, gifting, or a cozy snack, they are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and customizable sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free flour used)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup pureed fresh strawberries or strawberry jam (drained of excess liquid)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and soften the butter to room temperature. If using fresh strawberries, puree them finely and drain excess juice to prevent soggy dough.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt for even distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light, creamy, and fluffy, ensuring tender cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Gently fold in the strawberry puree or jam for natural flavor and color.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies soft.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to develop flavor and prevent spreading during baking.
- Shape and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into balls, place on parchment-lined baking sheets, and flatten slightly if desired. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
Notes
- Use fresh strawberries for a brighter, fresher flavor rather than only jam.
- Drain excess liquid from strawberry puree to avoid soggy dough.
- Chilling the dough is essential for texture and preventing spreading.
- Underbake slightly for a soft, chewy center.
- Adjust sugar based on your preferred sweetness before chilling the dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: strawberry sugar cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, strawberry dessert, homemade cookies, gluten free cookies, fruit flavored cookies
