Dreamy Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Sweet strawberry shortbread cookies dance between crisp and tender, promising a delightful treat that melts in your mouth.

Buttery layers crumble with each gentle bite, releasing intense fruity essence.

Delicate strawberry pieces nestled throughout add bursts of vibrant color and natural sweetness.

Summer memories blend seamlessly with classic Scottish shortbread techniques, creating an irresistible dessert.

Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas that beckon everyone closer.

Simple ingredients transform into an elegant confection that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Ingredients for Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides structure and texture to the shortbread cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality of the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: The key ingredient that creates a rich, tender, and classic shortbread texture.

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Provides an intense strawberry flavor and vibrant color to the cookies.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk: A simple combination that creates a smooth, sweet coating for the cookies.

• Freeze-Dried Strawberry Crumbs: Offers an optional decorative and flavorful topping for added texture and visual appeal.

How to Make Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Crush Strawberry Magic

Toss freeze-dried strawberries into a blender. Pulse until the berries transform into a fine, dusty powder that looks like delicate pink snow.

Step 2: Powder Power Preparation

Set aside a teaspoon of strawberry powder for the glaze. This secret ingredient will add a burst of fruity flavor.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine the remaining strawberry powder with all-purpose flour in a mixing bowl. Whisk them together until they become best friends.

Step 4: Butter Bliss

In a stand mixer, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar. Whip them until they become light, fluffy, and look like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 5: Create Cookie Dough

Slow down the mixer and gently add the flour-strawberry mixture. Mix until everything comes together in a beautiful, cohesive dough.

Step 6: Perfect the Dough

Grab a spatula and scrape down the bowl’s sides. Give the dough a final mix to ensure no lonely flour lumps remain.

Step 7: Chill Out

Shape the dough into a disc and wrap it up snugly in plastic wrap. Send it to the refrigerator for a 15-minute cool-down session.

Step 8: Roll and Shape

Dust your work surface with flour. Roll out the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness.

Use cookie cutters to create your favorite shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 9: Second Chill

Pop the baking sheet back into the refrigerator for another 15-minute relaxation period.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Heat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cookies for 15-17 minutes until they’re just set, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.

Step 11: Glaze Glory

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Reserved strawberry powder

Whisk these ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and dreamy.

Step 12: Decorate with Flair

Once cookies cool, drizzle or dip them in the glaze.

Sprinkle extra strawberry crumbs on top for a stunning finish.

Step 13: Final Touch

Let the glazed cookies sit and set for about 15 minutes.

They’re now ready to delight and impress!

Tips to Nail Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Crush freeze-dried strawberries finely to ensure a smooth, even powder distribution throughout the cookie dough.
• Chill the dough twice to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie's delicate shape during baking.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal from the baking sheet.
• Avoid overbaking by watching the edges carefully; cookies should remain pale with just slightly set centers.
• Create a vibrant glaze by incorporating strawberry powder, enhancing both visual appeal and flavor intensity.

Flavor Variations on Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Raspberry Shortbread Swap: Replace freeze-dried strawberries with freeze-dried raspberries for a tangy, vibrant alternative that maintains the cookie's delicate texture.
• Vegan Berry Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use plant-based powdered sugar to create a dairy-free version that preserves the original recipe's essence.
• Almond Flour Adaptation: Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option that adds a subtle nutty flavor and lighter crumb.
• Lemon Zest Infusion: Incorporate finely grated lemon zest into the dough for a bright, citrusy undertone that complements the berry powder perfectly.

Pairing Ideas for Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Match these delicate strawberry shortbread cookies with a chilled lavender lemonade that complements their buttery texture and fruity essence.
• Select a light, crisp rosé wine that enhances the cookies' delicate strawberry notes and provides a sophisticated adult beverage pairing.
• Brew a fragrant Earl Grey tea with subtle bergamot undertones that beautifully balances the cookie's sweetness and brings out the strawberry's subtle flavor profile.
• Serve alongside a vanilla bean panna cotta, creating a harmonious dessert combination that highlights the shortbread's delicate crumbly texture and strawberry undertones.

Storage Advice for Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Refrigerator Storage: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. These delicate treats will stay fresh for up to 5 days when stored in the refrigerator.
• Freezer Preservation: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies maintain their quality for 2-3 months, ensuring a sweet treat is always within reach.
• Room Temperature Keeping: Store in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Cookies will remain delicious for 3-4 days at room temperature, maintaining their crisp texture and flavor.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. This gentle heating helps restore their original crispness and brings out the strawberry flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried strawberries?

No, fresh strawberries contain too much moisture and will ruin the texture of the cookies. Freeze-dried strawberries provide intense flavor without adding liquid to the dough.

• How fine should I grind the freeze-dried strawberries?

Pulse them until they become a fine powder similar to powdered sugar. The goal is a consistent, smooth texture that will mix evenly into the dough.

• What if I don't have a stand mixer?

You can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a wooden spoon. Just ensure the butter and sugar are well creamed and the flour is fully incorporated without overmixing.

Strawberry Shortbread Cookies That Delight

• Burst with Berry Flavor: Infuse your cookies with intense strawberry essence using freeze-dried strawberries, creating a unique and vibrant taste experience that sets these shortbread cookies apart from traditional recipes.
• Bake Like a Pro: Master a sophisticated baking technique that transforms simple ingredients into elegant, restaurant-quality cookies with minimal culinary expertise required.
• Perfect for Sweet Celebrations: Ideal for bridal showers, tea parties, Valentine's Day, or as a delightful homemade gift that showcases your baking creativity and personal touch.
• Customize with Ease: Enjoy flexible decoration options by adjusting the glaze and adding strawberry crumbs, allowing you to personalize the cookies to match any occasion or personal preference.

Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful strawberry shortbread cookies bring Italian countryside charm to your baking adventure. Sweet, buttery shortbread meets fresh strawberry essence for an irresistible treat you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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• 1 package (1 oz/28 g) freeze-dried strawberries
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks/226 g) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) milk

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Instructions

1. Pulverize freeze-dried strawberries in a blender until they transform into a fine, dust-like powder, creating an intense fruity foundation for the cookies.
2. Separate one teaspoon of strawberry powder for potential glaze enhancement, setting aside the remainder for the cookie base.
3. Integrate the strawberry powder with flour, whisking thoroughly to distribute the vibrant ingredient evenly throughout the dry mixture.
4. Cream softened butter and powdered sugar in a stand mixer, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately one minute.
5. Gradually fold the flour-strawberry blend into the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Use a spatula to scrape bowl edges, ensuring all ingredients are uniformly incorporated and no flour pockets remain.
7. Form the dough into a compact disc, wrap securely in plastic, and refrigerate for 15 minutes to solidify and enhance flavor melding.
8. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to a quarter-inch thickness, using cookie cutters to create precise shapes and transferring them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
9. Return the cookie-laden sheet to the refrigerator for an additional 15-minute chill, which helps maintain their structured shape during baking.
10. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake cookies for 15-17 minutes, monitoring to prevent excessive browning while ensuring centers are set.
11. Simultaneously prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk, optionally incorporating the reserved strawberry powder for enhanced flavor complexity.
12. After cookies completely cool, apply glaze by either drizzling or dipping, optionally garnishing with crushed freeze-dried strawberry fragments for textural intrigue.
13. Allow glazed cookies to set for approximately 15 minutes, permitting the topping to harden and intensify the decorative elements.

Notes

• Enhance strawberry flavor by using high-quality freeze-dried strawberries, ensuring a concentrated and vibrant taste throughout the cookies.
• Keep butter at room temperature but not overly soft to maintain the perfect texture and prevent spreading during baking.
• Chill the dough twice to guarantee precise cookie shapes and prevent excessive spreading, resulting in beautifully defined edges.
• Customize the recipe by substituting gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version or using alternative milk options for different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg