Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe

These Strawberry Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, featuring a soft, buttery texture and a vibrant strawberry flavor. Coated in sparkling strawberry sugar, these cookies offer a touch of elegance and a pop of fruity sweetness, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
• ½ teaspoon red gel food coloring
• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons (36g) freeze-dried strawberry powder

For the Coating:

• ½ cup sparkling sugar
• 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder

this RECIPE

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract, strawberry extract, and red gel food coloring until evenly combined.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients:

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and freeze-dried strawberry powder.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

3. Chill the Dough:

1. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle and shape.

4. Prepare the Coating:

1. In a small bowl, mix the sparkling sugar with freeze-dried strawberry powder.

5. Shape and Coat the Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll the chilled dough into 1.5-inch balls.
3. Roll each ball in the sparkling strawberry sugar mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.

6. Bake:

1. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly puffed.
3. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Helpful Tips

Creating the ideal Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar requires attention to detail and a few tricks to ensure success. Here are some helpful tips to make your cookies absolutely irresistible:

1. Use High-Quality Ingredients: Choose unsalted butter and high-quality freeze-dried strawberries for the best flavor. The quality of the butter impacts the cookies’ texture, while vibrant freeze-dried strawberries give a natural burst of fruity sweetness.
2. Achieve Vibrant Color: Use red gel food coloring sparingly to achieve a vibrant hue without oversaturating the dough. Gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid, making it perfect for a rich, consistent shade.
3. Measure Accurately: Baking is precise. Use a kitchen scale for ingredients like flour and freeze-dried strawberry powder to avoid inconsistencies.
4. Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilled dough is easier to handle and prevents excessive spreading during baking, resulting in thick, chewy cookies.
5. Perfect Coating: Roll the cookie dough balls evenly in the sparkling sugar-strawberry mixture for a consistent and visually appealing finish. Gently press the coating into the dough to ensure it sticks well.
6. Don’t Overbake: Bake the cookies just until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underdone. They will continue to firm up as they cool, resulting in soft and tender cookies.
7. Storage Matters: Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to preserve their texture and prevent sticking. If freezing, wrap dough balls tightly to maintain freshness.

Variations

These Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar are already delightful, but you can experiment with these variations to customize them for different flavors and occasions:

1. Lemon Strawberry Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy twist. The bright, tangy lemon flavor complements the sweet strawberry and adds a refreshing dimension.
2. Chocolate Strawberry Cookies: Mix ½ cup of mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips into the dough for a strawberry-chocolate pairing that’s always a hit. Drizzle the baked cookies with melted chocolate for an extra decadent touch.
3. Cream Cheese Filling: Transform these cookies into sandwich cookies by adding a cream cheese filling. Whip softened cream cheese with a bit of powdered sugar and strawberry extract, then spread it between two cookies for a creamy, tangy surprise.
4. Vanilla Bean Coating: Replace the freeze-dried strawberry powder in the sugar coating with a teaspoon of vanilla bean powder. This creates a classic vanilla-strawberry flavor that’s sweet and aromatic.
5. Almond Strawberry Cookies: Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract in the dough for a nutty flavor. Garnish each cookie with a slivered almond before baking for a sophisticated look.
6. Holiday Sparkle: Use green sparkling sugar instead of clear for festive holiday cookies, perfect for Christmas or spring celebrations.

Storage

• Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls or baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw unbaked dough before coating and baking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking. This allows the flavors to deepen while keeping the dough fresh. Alternatively, bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
A: Yes, the dough freezes well. Roll it into balls, coat them in the sparkling sugar mixture, and freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Q: What if I don’t have freeze-dried strawberry powder?
A: You can make your own by blending freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a food processor or blender. If freeze-dried strawberries are unavailable, consider substituting with a small amount of strawberry jam, though this will alter the texture slightly.

Q: Can I make these cookies without the red gel food coloring?
A: Yes, the red food coloring is optional and only enhances the visual appeal. Without it, the cookies will still have a delicious strawberry flavor.

Q: How do I keep the cookies soft and chewy?
A: Be sure not to overbake the cookies. Remove them from the oven as soon as the edges are set but the centers look slightly underbaked. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Q: Can I use other extracts instead of strawberry extract?
A: Yes, you can use vanilla, almond, or lemon extract for a unique twist. However, the strawberry extract provides the most authentic strawberry flavor.

Conclusion

Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar are more than just a dessert—they’re a delightful experience for the senses. The buttery, tender cookies, infused with vibrant strawberry flavor and topped with a glittering sugar coating, make for a treat that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. Whether you’re baking them for a festive gathering, gifting them to a loved one, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. The soft, chewy texture paired with the burst of strawberry flavor can be customized with different extracts, coatings, or fillings to suit your preferences or the theme of any occasion. From holiday platters to afternoon tea, these cookies adapt beautifully, bringing elegance and flavor to every setting.

Additionally, the simplicity of the recipe ensures that bakers of all skill levels can achieve professional-quality results. The helpful tips, such as chilling the dough and using freeze-dried strawberry powder, take the guesswork out of the process, allowing you to focus on the joy of baking.

Finally, these cookies are a wonderful way to celebrate the natural sweetness and vibrant color of strawberries. They make a thoughtful gift, a standout addition to dessert spreads, or a comforting treat to share with friends and family.

For those who are eager to explore more delightful variations of strawberry treats, check out this Strawberry Sugar Cookies recipe from Recipes by Clare. It offers another fantastic take on strawberry-flavored cookies, perfect for expanding your dessert repertoire!

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Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe

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• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

These Strawberry Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, featuring a soft, buttery texture and a vibrant strawberry flavor. Coated in sparkling strawberry sugar, these cookies offer a touch of elegance and a pop of fruity sweetness, perfect for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
• ½ teaspoon red gel food coloring
• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons (36g) freeze-dried strawberry powder

For the Coating:

• ½ cup sparkling sugar
• 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract, strawberry extract, and red gel food coloring until evenly combined.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients:

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and freeze-dried strawberry powder.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

3. Chill the Dough:

1. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle and shape.

4. Prepare the Coating:

1. In a small bowl, mix the sparkling sugar with freeze-dried strawberry powder.

5. Shape and Coat the Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll the chilled dough into 1.5-inch balls.
3. Roll each ball in the sparkling strawberry sugar mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.

6. Bake:

1. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly puffed.
3. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

1. Customizable Coating: The sparkling sugar coating can be swapped with regular granulated sugar for a simpler version.
2. Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough ensures thicker cookies with a soft and chewy texture.
3. Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Using freeze-dried strawberry powder provides a natural strawberry flavor without excess moisture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 11g
• Sodium: 90mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Strawberry Sugar Cookies, Sparkling Cookies, Easy Strawberry Desserts