Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies

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The sweet aroma of strawberries wafting from the oven is enough to bring everyone into the kitchen. These Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic sugar cookie, combining the familiar softness of a traditional bake with the intense, natural flavor of freeze-dried strawberries. They’re rolled in pink sanding sugar for that extra sparkle, making them as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for birthdays, baby showers, afternoon tea, or just because you need a cheerful pick-me-up, these cookies will brighten any occasion. The balance of vanilla and almond extract gives depth to the strawberry notes, while the chewy texture and lightly crisped edges provide a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Make a double batch you’ll thank yourself later!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

2½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
¼ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder
½ cup chopped freeze-dried strawberries
Optional: pink sanding sugar for rolling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Add the strawberry powder and chopped freeze-dried strawberries, mixing until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Scoop out 1.5-tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls.
Roll the dough balls in pink sanding sugar if using, then place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly puffy.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 160 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies

Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies – A Flavorful, Chewy Delight

Few things in life are as satisfying as biting into a soft, chewy cookie especially when it’s brimming with the fruity sweetness of real strawberries. The Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies recipe captures the essence of summer in a handheld treat that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. These cookies combine a traditional sugar cookie base with the bold punch of freeze-dried strawberries, offering layers of flavor, a perfect texture, and eye-catching pink hues that make them irresistible.

These cookies are an upgraded twist on the classic sugar cookie. By incorporating both strawberry powder and bits of freeze-dried strawberries, you don’t just get a hint of fruit you get an intense, natural strawberry experience. The result? A cookie that’s both nostalgic and refreshing, perfect for strawberry lovers and cookie fans alike.

Why These Cookies Are Special

What sets these cookies apart from standard sugar cookies is their double infusion of strawberry flavor. By using freeze-dried strawberries in two forms ground into powder and chopped into bits you create a robust flavor profile that captures the full spectrum of strawberry taste. It’s fruity and fragrant, with a richness that complements the buttery cookie base.

The texture is also a standout feature. These cookies are soft and chewy in the center, with just a hint of crispness at the edges exactly what sugar cookie dreams are made of. When rolled in pink sanding sugar, they also take on a fun and festive appearance that’s great for parties, holidays, or gifting.

The Role of Freeze-Dried Strawberries

Freeze-dried strawberries are the unsung hero of this recipe. Unlike fresh or frozen berries, which can introduce too much moisture and cause the cookies to spread unpredictably, freeze-dried strawberries deliver concentrated flavor without affecting the dough’s consistency.

Strawberry powder made from these dried berries ensures every bite is infused with vibrant strawberry essence, while the chopped bits give a pop of tartness and texture that breaks up the soft, buttery crumb. The strawberries also lend a natural pink tint to the dough, eliminating the need for food coloring.

Ideal for Any Occasion

Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies are versatile and fit beautifully into many events or seasonal celebrations. They’re perfect for:

Valentine’s Day – Their pink hue and sweet taste make them ideal love-themed treats.
Baby showers or bridal showers – Their elegance and soft color fit in beautifully with pastel palettes.
Spring and summer parties – Their fruity profile screams “fresh” and “sunny.”
Holiday cookie exchanges – Unique yet familiar, they’ll stand out on any cookie tray.
Afternoon tea or coffee breaks – They pair wonderfully with both sweet and bitter beverages.

Their visual appeal makes them a great addition to dessert tables or gift boxes. You can even shape them using cookie cutters for themed events or holidays.

Customization Options

This recipe can easily be adjusted based on your personal preferences or dietary needs:

Add White Chocolate Chips: For a strawberries-and-cream vibe, toss in some white chocolate chips to the dough before baking.
Make Them Vegan: Swap out the butter and egg for plant-based alternatives. Use vegan butter and a flaxseed or chia seed egg substitute.
Use Almond Flour: For a gluten-free variation, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour—just be mindful of texture changes.
Decorate with Icing: While these cookies are delicious on their own, you can also drizzle a simple glaze or pipe royal icing on top for added visual interest.

Baking Tips for Perfect Results

Even though the method for making these cookies is fairly straightforward, a few simple tips can ensure you get consistently amazing results every time:

Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense cookies.
Chill the Dough (Optional): While not required, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help intensify the flavors and make the dough easier to handle.
Use a Cookie Scoop: For even baking and uniform sizes, use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop when portioning the dough.
Watch the Bake Time: Pull the cookies when the edges are just set, even if the centers look a bit underdone they’ll finish baking on the tray.

Storing and Freezing

One of the best things about sugar cookies like these is how well they store and freeze. If you want to make them ahead of time, you’re in luck.

At Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies.
In the Freezer (Baked): Let the cookies cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer before transferring to a sealed container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
In the Freezer (Unbaked): You can also freeze the raw cookie dough balls. Just bake them straight from the freezer, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

Perfect Pairings

Want to turn your cookie-eating experience into a moment of indulgence? Try these pairings:

With milk: A classic combo that never gets old especially for kids.
With black tea: The sweetness of the cookies balances beautifully with the slight bitterness of tea.
With lemonade: For a refreshing contrast, enjoy these cookies alongside a glass of ice-cold lemonade.
As an ice cream sandwich: Sandwich vanilla or strawberry ice cream between two cookies for a summertime treat.

Nutritional Information and Indulgence Factor

Each cookie delivers around 160 calories, making them a reasonable indulgence if you’re mindful of portions. The recipe doesn’t use artificial flavors or dyes, and the inclusion of real fruit (even in dried form) adds a slight nutritional bonus compared to overly processed treats.

That said, they’re still a dessert meant to be enjoyed in moderation, or completely guilt-free when you need a pick-me-up.

Conclusion:

Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies are a vibrant celebration of flavor, texture, and color. They offer a sensory experience that goes beyond your average cookie soft, chewy, fruity, and visually delightful. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your kitchen journey, this recipe is simple enough for beginners yet rewarding enough for pros.

They’re crowd-pleasers at events, thoughtful in gift boxes, and comforting when you need a homemade sweet. Most of all, they prove that a sugar cookie can be anything but basic when you add the right ingredients and a little bit of love.

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