If you’re on the lookout for a sweet, fruity twist on a classic treat, you’re going to adore this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to because the cookies are soft, slightly chewy, and bursting with the natural flavor of strawberries. Plus, they’re wonderfully simple to whip up — no fancy ingredients required. Stick with me and I’ll show you just how to make your kitchen smell like heaven and your friends ask for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Fruity Flavor: Using freeze-dried strawberry powder means you get an intense berry burst without the mess of fresh fruit.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: These cookies are perfectly tender with just the right amount of chewiness that keeps you reaching for one more.
- Easy to Make: With simple steps and common ingredients, it’s a fantastic recipe for bakers of all levels.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether for a casual snack, a party, or gifting, these cookies always impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these strawberry sugar cookies, you’ll want quality ingredients that complement each other to bring out that sweet, fruity goodness. I always prefer using unsalted butter so I can control the saltiness, and freeze-dried strawberries are a game changer for natural flavor without extra moisture.
- Butter: At room temperature, it creamily blends with sugar for light, airy cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight crunch when rolling the dough balls.
- Egg: Binds everything together and gives a soft texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, subtle notes.
- All-purpose Flour: The base for structure — nothing fancy needed here.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise gently for a tender bite.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights the strawberry flavor.
- Freeze-dried Strawberries: Ground into powder for that intense strawberry punch without moisture.
- Additional Granulated Sugar: For rolling the dough balls to create a sparkling, sweet crust.
Variations
I love how customizable this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe is. Sometimes I like to mix things up depending on the occasion or what’s in my pantry, and you can too! Don’t be afraid to make this your own — it’s part of the fun.
- Adding White Chocolate Chips: My family goes crazy when I sneak in some white chocolate—it melts beautifully and complements the strawberry flavor.
- Using Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: For a chocolate-strawberry combo, swap 2 tablespoons of flour for cocoa powder — it’s an easy game changer.
- Make It Gluten-Free: I’ve had success using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend without losing the cookie’s texture or flavor.
- Fresh Strawberry Swirls: When strawberries are in season, folding in mashed fresh fruit adds a fresh zing—but watch the dough for softness.
How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this saves you clean-up later, trust me. Then, in a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. This is my favorite part because when the mixture becomes light and fluffy, you can already tell the cookies are going to have a wonderful texture. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer at medium speed for about 3-5 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed for even mixing.
Step 2: Beat in the Egg and Vanilla
Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract. I like to crack the egg into a small bowl first just to make sure it’s good—no one wants unexpected surprises! Beat these in until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step adds moisture and flavor that your cookies will thank you for.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Strawberry Powder
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and the freeze-dried strawberry powder. This powder is key — it infuses your cookies with a fresh berry taste without watering down the dough. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing here can make your cookies tough, so be gentle and patient.
Step 4: Scoop, Roll, and Sugar Coat the Dough Balls
Using a small cookie scoop or spoon (about 2 tablespoons worth), portion out 14 even-sized dough balls. Then, roll each one in a bowl of extra granulated sugar—this creates a delightful sparkle and slight crunch on top once baked. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart because they’ll spread just a bit in the oven.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for around 9 minutes — it’s tempting to leave them longer, but I learned the hard way that less is more to keep them soft and chewy inside. When you take them out, let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes so they firm up before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps prevent breakage because the cookies are still delicate when hot.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Use Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder: I discovered this trick because fresh strawberries add too much moisture, but powder gives a pure, concentrated flavor every time.
- Don’t Overbake: Taking the cookies out when edges are just set keeps them soft and chewy, which everyone loves.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using butter and egg at room temp ensures smoother blending and a finer cookie texture.
- Sugar Rolling Technique: Rolling dough balls in sugar adds a subtle crunch and sweet sparkle — it’s a simple touch that makes a difference.
How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love to finish these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a tiny drizzle of white chocolate for extra sweetness when serving. Sometimes, I also sprinkle a few crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top just before baking for a pretty pop of color.
Side Dishes
Since these cookies are a treat on their own, I often pair them with tea or cold milk to balance their sweetness. They’re fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert or served with fresh fruit salad for a light afternoon snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifts, I’ve arranged these cookies in pretty mason jars tied with ribbon or stacked them in decorative tins layered with parchment paper. Even making cookie sandwiches with a little strawberry jam or cream cheese frosting between two cookies makes for an irresistible presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover strawberry sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they usually stay fresh for about 4-5 days. To keep them soft, I place a slice of bread in the container — it’s an old baker’s trick that really works.
Freezing
If I want to make these ahead of time, I freeze the dough balls (already rolled in sugar) on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once firm. When you’re ready, just bake them straight from frozen adding a minute or two to the bake time. It’s a huge time saver!
Reheating
Leftover cookies get warm and slightly crisp again when reheated in a low oven (about 300°F) for 3-5 minutes. I find using a wire rack in the oven helps maintain their texture without sogginess.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried powder?
Fresh strawberries add a lot of moisture which can make the cookie dough too wet and affect the bake, resulting in flatter, soggy cookies. Freeze-dried strawberry powder is ideal because it imparts strong strawberry flavor without adding moisture.
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How do I store these Strawberry Sugar Cookies to keep them soft?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture and keeps the cookies soft for several days.
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Is it okay to freeze the dough before baking?
Absolutely! Freeze the shaped dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen; just add an extra minute or two to the baking time for perfect results.
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Can I substitute butter with a vegan alternative?
Yes, you can use vegan butter sticks that behave similarly to dairy butter in baking. Make sure it’s softened and treat it the same in the recipe for the best texture and flavor balance.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe turns out every time — soft, bursting with strawberry goodness, and ridiculously addictive. When I first tried it, I was amazed by how simple ingredients came together to create something so special. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, give this recipe a go. I promise you’ll be making it again and again, just like me!
Print
Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 14 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Sugar Cookies combine classic buttery sweetness with the tart, fruity flavor of freeze-dried strawberries. Soft, chewy, and coated with sparkling sugar, these delightful cookies are perfect for a simple homemade treat or special occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, salted or unsalted, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder
For Rolling
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then continue mixing until fully combined for a creamy base.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and freeze-dried strawberry powder to evenly distribute the rising agents and strawberry flavor, then gradually mix these into the wet ingredients until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Using a small cookie scooper (approximately 2 tablespoons), scoop the dough into 14 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and then roll them in additional granulated sugar to create a sparkling, sweet crust.
- Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- Crush freeze-dried strawberries finely to avoid gritty texture in cookies.
- Rolling the cookies in sugar before baking adds a nice crunch and sparkle.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week for maximum freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg