The Cheerful Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe Everyone Loves

Sweet memories dance around this delightful strawberry sugar cookies creation that bursts with fruity charm.

Mixing childhood nostalgia and contemporary baking techniques produces something magical.

Homemade treats rarely sparkle quite like these vibrant pink delights.

Subtle strawberry essence infuses each tender morsel with unexpected brightness.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference when crafting such delectable morsels.

Soft, crumbly textures and delicate pink hues invite you to savor every single bite.

Baking these cookies promises pure joy in every delicious crumb.

Strawberry Sugar Cookies: What You’ll Use

• Cake Flour, Cornstarch: Soft and delicate base for tender cookies, creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Baking Powder, Salt: Essential leavening agents that help cookies rise and enhance overall flavor.

• Butter, Shortening: Rich, creamy base that provides moisture and helps create a soft cookie texture. Choose high-quality, unsalted butter for best results.
• Egg, Vanilla Extract: Binding agent and flavor enhancer that adds depth and richness.
• Pink Gel Food Coloring: Optional ingredient for visual appeal, creates soft pink hue.

• Butter: Creamy base for frosting, provides smooth and rich texture.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder, Fresh Strawberry Puree: Intense strawberry flavor, natural coloring. Use high-quality, pure strawberry products.
• Lime or Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting. Adjust consistency as needed.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• Freeze-Dried Strawberry Crumbs, Sanding Sugar: Optional decorative elements for added texture and visual interest.

Baking Strawberry Sugar Cookies from Scratch

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F.

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Cake flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Butter
• Shortening
• Granulated sugar

Mix for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture looks light and dreamy.

Step 4: Add Moisture and Color

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Pink gel food coloring (optional)

Mix until everything is perfectly combined.

Step 5: Bring Ingredients Together

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture.

Stir gently until a soft, pillowy dough forms.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Delights

Roll dough into small balls, about 1 inch in size.

Place on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Gently press down with your palm or a glass bottom.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide cookies into the oven.

Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges look just set.

Cookies should remain soft and pale.

Step 8: Cool Down

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Whip Up Strawberry Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat softened butter until creamy.

• Freeze-dried strawberry powder
• Fresh strawberry puree
• Lime or lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and dreamy.

Step 10: Create Fluffy Frosting

Gradually add powdered sugar.

Beat until light and airy.

Adjust consistency with extra sugar or a splash of milk if needed.

Step 11: Decorate with Flair

Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cookies.

Sprinkle with extra strawberry crumbs or sparkling sanding sugar for a magical touch.

Step 12: Final Touch

Let frosting set slightly before serving your beautiful strawberry sugar cookies.

Sugar Cookie Tips for Strawberry Sweets That Shine

Use cake flour for an extra tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture that’s softer than traditional all-purpose flour.

Add pink gel food coloring sparingly to achieve a delicate, natural-looking strawberry hue without overwhelming the cookie’s appearance.

Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly round, uniform cookies.

Keep cookies soft by avoiding overbaking – remove them from the oven when edges are just set and centers look slightly underdone.

Enhance the strawberry flavor by incorporating finely ground freeze-dried strawberry powder directly into the cookie dough for an intense fruit essence.

Storing Strawberry Sugar Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. For best texture, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore softness.
• If using strawberry frosting, consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. Store frosted cookies in a single layer to prevent smudging or sticking.

Strawberry Sugar Cookies Matches

• Drink Pairing: Strawberry Champagne Spritzer
• Elevate the cookies with a bubbly, fruity cocktail that mirrors the strawberry flavor. Mix champagne with fresh strawberry puree and a splash of elderflower liqueur for a elegant, refreshing companion.
• Complementary Beverage: Lavender Earl Grey Tea
• Brew a delicate Earl Grey tea and add a hint of lavender to create a sophisticated counterpoint. The floral notes beautifully balance the sweet strawberry frosting and provide a gentle, aromatic experience.
• Perfect Snack Match: White Chocolate Mousse
• Serve a light, creamy white chocolate mousse alongside the cookies. The smooth, delicate texture and subtle sweetness create a harmonious dessert combination that enhances the strawberry's bright flavor profile.
• Wine Partner: Rosé Champagne
• Select a crisp, light rosé champagne with hints of red berries. Its delicate bubbles and soft pink color perfectly echo the strawberry cookies, creating a delightful sensory and flavor connection.

Strawberry Cookies with Sugar Enhancements

• Gluten-Free Strawberry Cookies: Replace cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Berry Cookies: Swap butter and shortening with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and create plant-based frosting using vegan butter and powdered sugar.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie sweetness and texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free margarine or coconut oil in place of butter, and select non-dairy milk for adjusting frosting consistency for those with lactose intolerance.

FAQs

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

Freeze-dried strawberries are strawberries with all moisture removed, creating an intense fruit powder. They provide a concentrated strawberry flavor and vibrant color without adding extra liquid to the recipe.

• Can I use regular flour instead of cake flour?

No, cake flour is crucial for these cookies. It has lower protein content, which creates a softer, more delicate texture that’s essential for these sugar cookies. Regular all-purpose flour will make the cookies denser and less tender.

• How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the butter firm up and prevents excessive spreading, ensuring your cookies maintain their shape and remain thick and soft.

• Is it necessary to use both butter and shortening in the recipe?

Yes, the combination creates the perfect texture. Butter adds flavor, while shortening helps prevent spreading and creates a tender, soft cookie with a consistent texture.

Strawberry Sugar Cookies That Are Soft and Packed With Berry Flavor

Quick and Easy Weekend Baking: Whip up these delightful strawberry sugar cookies with minimal kitchen expertise, perfect for beginners wanting a fun baking project.

Family-Friendly Treat: Create sweet memories together by involving kids in mixing, rolling, and decorating these colorful, berry-inspired cookies that everyone will love.

Versatile Dessert Option: Serve these elegant cookies at brunches, parties, or afternoon tea – they’re sophisticated enough for special occasions yet simple to prepare.

Customizable Flavor Experience: Experiment with food coloring, adjust strawberry intensity, and play with frosting consistency to make each batch uniquely yours.

Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry sugar cookies blend homemade charm with delightful fruity essence, offering a perfect balance of classic cookie comfort and fresh summer flavor. Crisp edges, tender centers, and bright berry notes invite everyone to savor this delectable treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Cookies):

• 2 1/4 cups (540 ml) cake flour
• 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (113 g or 1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Dry Ingredients (Cookies):

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pink gel food coloring (optional)

Flavoring Ingredients (Cookies):

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (57 g) unflavored shortening

Frosting Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (300 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (113 g or 1 stick) butter, softened

Frosting Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed into powder
• 2 tablespoons fresh strawberry puree
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime or lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift together cake flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter, shortening, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly. Optional: Add pink gel food coloring to achieve a delicate pastel hue.
5. Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
6. Shape the dough into 1-inch spheres, placing them evenly on prepared baking sheets with sufficient spacing.
7. Gently flatten each cookie ball using your palm or the bottom of a glass, creating uniform discs.
8. Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for lightly set edges while maintaining a soft, pale appearance.
9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
10. For the frosting, whip softened butter until smooth and creamy in a medium bowl.
11. Blend freeze-dried strawberry powder, fresh strawberry puree, citrus juice, and vanilla extract into the butter.
12. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, whipping until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
13. Adjust frosting consistency by adding more powdered sugar or a small amount of milk if needed.
14. Once cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe frosting generously across the surface.
15. Garnish with additional freeze-dried strawberry crumbs or a sprinkle of sanding sugar for visual appeal.
16. Let frosted cookies rest briefly to allow the topping to set before serving.

Notes

• Achieve the perfect texture by using cake flour, which creates a softer, more delicate cookie compared to all-purpose flour.
• Prevent spreading by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, ensuring crisp edges and maintaining the cookie’s shape.
• Intensify strawberry flavor by adding finely ground freeze-dried strawberry powder directly into the cookie dough for a concentrated fruity punch.
• Customize for dietary needs by substituting butter with plant-based alternatives and using gluten-free flour blend for a vegan and gluten-free version of these delightful cookies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg