Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate strawberry treat! These Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar deliver everything you crave in a Delicious Recipe: pillowy soft centers, bursts of real strawberry flavor, and a dazzling sugar crust that crackles with every bite. This recipe takes classic sugar cookies to a whole new level, transforming them into a pink-hued, berry-packed delight perfect for birthdays, summer picnics, or when you’re simply in need of something sweet and special. It’s a joy to bake and even more fun to share!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Delicious Recipe comes from using simple ingredients that each bring something wonderful to the table. From the creamy richness of butter to the tangy sparkle of freeze-dried strawberries, every component has a purpose. Here’s why you’ll love every single item you use.

• Unsalted butter: The foundation for ultra-tender and rich cookies; make sure it’s softened for the dreamiest texture.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs help the dough mix smoothly, giving each cookie good structure and chew.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect base, balancing tenderness and shape so your cookies don’t spread too much.
• Cornstarch: The secret to extra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies—don’t skip it!
• Baking powder: Adds just enough lift, making your cookies lightly puffy.
• Baking soda: Works alongside the baking powder for perfectly domed cookies with a crisp edge.
• Cream of tartar: Gives a subtle tang and helps with that signature sugar cookie chew.
• Salt: Just a hint to enhance all the sweet, fruity flavors.
• Granulated sugar: The sweet backbone that helps with crispness and caramelization.
• Freeze dried strawberry powder: Real strawberries at their most intense for a punch of color and natural berry flavor.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds classic warmth that balances the strawberry zing.
• Pure strawberry extract: Cranks up the berry notes, making the strawberry flavor unmistakable (Amoretti Artisan or Cooks are spectacular choices).
• Red gel food coloring: Just enough for a vibrant, cheerful pink hue—go as bold as you like!
• White or red sparkling sugar (sanding sugar): Essential for that crunchy, dazzling outer coating—white lets the pink shine through, while red adds drama.
• Extra freeze dried strawberry powder (for sugar coating): Blended into your sparkling sugar, this takes your cookie’s topping from nice to unforgettable.

How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder

Start your Delicious Recipe by making your own intensely fruity strawberry powder. Simply pulse freeze-dried strawberries in a high-speed blender or spice grinder until you get a velvety fine powder. Set aside enough for both your dough and your sugar coating. Store any extra in an airtight container so it’s fresh and potent when you need it!

Step 2: Make the Sparkling Strawberry Sugar

In a small bowl, stir together the sparkling sugar and some of that vibrant strawberry powder (about 2 tablespoons powder per 1/2 cup sugar). This creates that signature sweet, berry-studded crunch on the outside of each cookie. Keep this mixture sealed in an airtight container until baking time—it stays fresh and brilliantly pink for days!

Step 3: Mix the Cookie Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy—this takes about 3 minutes and really helps create airy, tender cookies. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure to scrape down the sides for even mixing. Next, add in your vanilla extract, strawberry extract, and a little red gel food coloring. The coloring is optional, but it transforms your dough into something undeniably festive.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and the remaining strawberry powder until well blended. This ensures that every bite of cookie is perfectly flavored and bakes up just right. Gently incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture on low speed—stop as soon as the dough comes together. This step is crucial: don’t overmix!

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Pop your freshly mixed cookie dough into the fridge for at least two hours, or up to overnight. Chilling helps the flavors meld and keeps your Delicious Recipe cookies thick and soft when baked. Don’t rush this step if you want those perfect, pillowy cookies!

Step 6: Shape and Coat the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion your chilled dough into 30 balls. Roll them between your hands until nice and round, then tumble each dough ball in the Sparkling Strawberry Sugar until every side is dazzlingly coated. Space cookies at least two inches apart on your baking sheets to give them room to puff and spread.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the trays into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes—they’re done when the tops are just set and still slightly soft in the center. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to finish cooling. This lets them firm up without losing their soft texture.

How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

The Sparkling Strawberry Sugar is really all the garnish you need, but you can easily take these cookies to superstar status by topping each one with a tiny fresh strawberry slice or a pinch of extra freeze-dried strawberry powder right before serving. For a whimsical finish, serve on a pastel platter and add a few edible flower petals for that fairy-tale touch!

Side Dishes

To truly showcase this Delicious Recipe, pair the cookies with bowls of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a strawberry milkshake for an all-out berry celebration. They’re also the perfect accompaniment to a hot mug of tea or cold glass of lemonade on a sunny afternoon.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Strawberry Sugar Cookies into the centerpiece of a dessert board, stack them in clear gift bags tied with pink ribbon, or use them to top a strawberry cheesecake for next-level presentation. For parties, set out bowls of extra sparkling sugar and let guests roll their own cookie balls before baking!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, your cookies will keep their delightful softness when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need them to last longer, pop them in the fridge where they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.

Freezing

Both the baked cookies and the unbaked, sugar-rolled dough balls freeze beautifully. Place in freezer-safe containers or bags (with parchment between layers), and they’ll keep for up to 2 months. Just remember to let the cookies come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Reheating

For that just-baked warmth, arrange cookies on a baking sheet and heat in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. If you’re baking straight from frozen dough, bake for an extra 1–2 minutes. The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen!

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?

For this Delicious Recipe, freeze-dried strawberry powder is a must—it gives you that concentrated, vibrant berry flavor without adding extra moisture that would make the cookies soggy. Save fresh strawberries for garnish or snacking!

What’s the texture of these cookies like?

Expect soft, thick, and tender cookies with just a slight chew around the edges. The Sparkling Strawberry Sugar adds an irresistible crispness on the outside while the inside stays supremely pillowy.

Can I skip the strawberry extract?

If you can’t find strawberry extract, the cookies will still taste wonderful thanks to the real strawberry powder, but that double punch of extract really amplifies the berry flavor and color in this Delicious Recipe.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much, giving you thicker, softer cookies, and deepening all those lovely strawberry flavors. The wait is worth it!

Can I make this Delicious Recipe gluten free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free 1 to 1 blend. Keep an eye on texture and adjust chill time if the dough seems stickier—a small change for maximum deliciousness!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re baking with family, sharing with friends, or treating yourself, this Delicious Recipe is a surefire way to bring smiles and a bit of strawberry magic to any occasion. I hope you adore every bite of these cookies as much as I do—so preheat that oven and let’s sprinkle a little extra joy into today!

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