If you have a soft spot for sweets that are bursting with fresh fruit flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe is going to become your new favorite. These cookies are an irresistible blend of classic sugar cookie sweetness with a delightful hint of natural strawberry goodness, giving them a subtle pink hue and a juicy twist that feels both nostalgic and exciting. Perfect for sharing over afternoon tea, gifting during the holidays, or simply brightening any day, these cookies bring simple ingredients together in a way that feels truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are delightfully straightforward, yet each plays a crucial role in bringing the perfect balance of taste, texture, and that lovely strawberry color to your cookies.
- All-purpose flour (1 ¾ cups): The backbone of your cookies, providing structure and softness.
- Baking soda (1 tsp): Helps your cookies rise just enough to stay tender and light.
- Baking powder (½ tsp): Works alongside baking soda to ensure a perfectly balanced lift.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Enhances all the sweet flavors and keeps your cookies from tasting flat.
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup): Adds richness and lends a beautiful, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens perfectly while helping create a slight crisp on the cookie edges.
- Large egg (1): Provides moisture and helps bind everything together.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds warmth and depth, making those strawberry notes shine.
- Strawberry puree (2 tbsp): The star ingredient imparting natural strawberry flavor and lovely pink color.
- Additional granulated sugar (¼ cup): For rolling the dough, giving the cookies a sparkling, sweet finish.
How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This ensures your raising agents and flavor enhancers are evenly distributed for consistent results. Separately, cream the softened butter and sugar until fluffy and light, which is essential for that tender cookie texture. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth, followed by the fresh strawberry puree. Finally, gradually mix in the dry ingredients just until combined—overmixing can make the cookies tough. The result is a beautifully pink, strawberry-scented dough ready for baking.
Step 2: Shape and Roll
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when your cookies go in. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into balls, and then gently roll each ball in the extra granulated sugar set aside earlier. This step is key to giving the cookies a sparkling, sugary crust that contrasts perfectly with the soft interior.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Place the sugar-coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for around 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges look just set and slightly golden while the centers remain soft. It’s essential not to overbake—these cookies should be tender with a slight chew, bursting with strawberry flavor.
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting time allows the cookies to firm up slightly while maintaining their chewy delight inside. Trust me, waiting just a little makes all the difference.
How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are delicious on their own, but if you want to dress them up, try sprinkling a pinch of edible glitter or a light dusting of powdered sugar. You can also add a small dollop of whipped cream and a thin strawberry slice on the side for extra flair and fresh flavor.
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of herbal tea amplifies their fruity sweetness. For a brunch or dessert spread, adding fresh strawberries or a simple fruit salad complements the strawberry theme beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a charming cookie jar layered with wax paper or make cookies sandwiches filled with cream cheese frosting or strawberry jam. You can even use them as a base for a no-bake cheesecake crust to impress your guests with a unique twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Storing them properly ensures they stay soft and flavorful, just like when they came out of the oven.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the dough balls on a baking tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once solid. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a low oven. This small step will bring back their soft texture and highlight the luscious strawberry flavor.
FAQs
Can I use freeze-dried strawberries instead of fresh for the puree?
Freeze-dried strawberries could work if rehydrated, but fresh strawberries give the best flavor and color. The puree made from fresh berries adds moisture and natural sweetness that’s hard to replicate otherwise.
What’s the best way to measure flour for this recipe?
For best results, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents packing too much flour, which can make cookies dense rather than tender.
Can I substitute the butter with margarine or oil?
Butter is preferred because it provides the perfect texture and flavor. Margarine may work in a pinch, but oil will change the texture quite a bit, making cookies less tender and more cakey.
How do I make the strawberry puree?
Simply blend 3 to 4 fresh strawberries until smooth. For a smoother puree, you can strain out seeds, but it’s not necessary and many love the texture they add.
Are these cookies suitable for decorating with icing?
Absolutely! These strawberry sugar cookies hold their shape well and are a great canvas for your favorite royal icing or buttercream decorations, adding both beauty and flavor to your treats.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about homemade cookies that carry the freshness of real fruit, and this Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe brings just that to your kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or indulging in a quiet moment of sweetness, these cookies combine simplicity with a burst of strawberry joy that’s hard to resist. I can’t wait for you to give this recipe a try and make it your own special treat!
Print
Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft and flavorful Strawberry Sugar Cookies that combine the classic sweetness of sugar cookies with a fresh strawberry twist. Perfectly tender with a subtle fruity aroma, these cookies are rolled in sugar for an extra touch of sparkle and crunch, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp strawberry puree (about 3–4 fresh strawberries blended)
Finishing
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Flavors: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree until fully incorporated, ensuring the batter is smooth and slightly pink from the strawberries.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Form Cookie Dough Balls: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion the dough into balls. Roll each ball in the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar to coat evenly.
- Bake Cookies: Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
- Cool Completely: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step prevents breaking and helps cookies firm up.
Notes
- For more intense strawberry flavor, increase the strawberry puree to 3 tablespoons but reduce the vanilla to ½ teaspoon.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the best cookie texture.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Use fresh ripe strawberries for the puree for the most vibrant taste and color.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading if desired.
