Strawberry Cookies Recipe: A Delightful Treat for Everyone
Are you ready to bake some delicious and irresistible strawberry cookies? This recipe will guide you through creating these delightful treats, perfect for any occasion. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these melt-in-your-mouth cookies bursting with strawberry flavor!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies. Adjust the ingredient quantities as needed depending on the size of your cookies.
-
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed (you can use fresh strawberries, but the texture will be slightly different)
-
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk or strawberry juice
- Fresh strawberries, sliced, for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Get started! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is crucial for achieving a tender crumb. A stand mixer or hand mixer works great for this step.
Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Stir in the strawberries: Gently fold in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries. The more you mix, the more the color will spread throughout the dough.
Scoop and bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Cool and glaze (optional): Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can drizzle them with the strawberry glaze. To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (or strawberry juice) until smooth. Add more milk or juice as needed to reach your desired consistency. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices.
Tips and Variations:
- For a more intense strawberry flavor: Use strawberry extract in addition to the vanilla extract.
- Add some crunch: Incorporate chopped nuts or white chocolate chips into the dough.
- Make it festive: Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes.
- Storage: Store your strawberry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Why This Recipe is Awesome:
This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for beginner bakers. The cookies are deliciously soft and chewy, with a perfect balance of sweetness and strawberry flavor. Plus, they're highly customizable, allowing you to experiment with different additions and glazes.
This recipe uses common ingredients which are readily available in most grocery stores, making it a perfect addition to your baking repertoire. Enjoy making and sharing these delightful strawberry cookies!
