Effortlessly Soft Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Deliciously Soft & Chewy Strawberry Sugar Cookies: An Easy, Fruity Twist on a Classic

Prepare to fall in love with these delightful Strawberry Sugar Cookies! Imagine the comforting softness of classic snickerdoodles, but infused with a vibrant, irresistible strawberry flavor. These aren’t just any sugar cookies; they’re a fun, fruity, and naturally pink twist on a beloved classic. What makes them stand out? A dynamic duo of freeze-dried strawberry powder and rich strawberry jam, giving you double the luscious strawberry goodness in every bite! Beyond their incredible flavor, these chewy strawberry cookies are surprisingly simple to whip up, taking only about 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a quick treat or a show-stopping addition to any dessert spread, they promise a burst of sunshine no matter the season.

Naturally dyed pink strawberry sugar cookies.

I must admit, I have a soft spot for most sugar cookies, but these beautiful pink ones have swiftly climbed to the very top of my go-to list of sugar cookie recipes. They share the same delightful softness and effortless preparation as my widely loved almond sugar cookies, yet they offer an explosion of intense, fruity flavor that is simply unparalleled. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a sweet, comforting treat, these strawberry sugar cookies deliver a perfect balance of tenderness, chewiness, and bright fruit notes that will leave everyone asking for more.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Strawberry Cookie Recipe

These strawberry sugar cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a little bite of joy. Here’s why you’ll want to add this recipe to your regular baking rotation:

  • Effortless One-Bowl Wonder: Say goodbye to excessive cleanup! This recipe comes together in a single bowl with minimal steps, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels, even on busy weeknights.
  • Double the Strawberry Flavor: We don’t just add a hint of strawberry; we pack a punch! The combination of freeze-dried strawberry powder and real strawberry jam creates an incredibly deep and authentic berry flavor that artificial extracts simply can’t match.
  • Irresistibly Soft & Chewy Texture: Forget dry, crumbly cookies. These are designed to be perfectly soft in the center with delightfully chewy edges, offering that melt-in-your-mouth experience everyone craves from a good sugar cookie.
  • Naturally Pink and Pretty: No artificial food coloring needed! The freeze-dried strawberry powder and jam naturally tint the cookie dough a beautiful, subtle pink, which is further enhanced when rolled in the strawberry sugar mixture. They’re as lovely to look at as they are to eat!
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: From a cozy afternoon snack to a festive addition to your holiday cookie tray, these fruity gems are versatile and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Their unique flavor makes them a refreshing alternative to traditional sugar cookies.

Essential Recipe Ingredients for Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Crafting these wonderfully soft and flavorful strawberry cookies requires just a few key ingredients. Each plays an important role in achieving that perfect texture and incredible double strawberry flavor. Gather these simple items, and you’ll be on your way to baking bliss:

Ingredients needed to make soft strawberry sugar cookies.

Ingredient Notes & Tips:

  • Freeze-dried strawberry powder: This is the secret weapon for an intense strawberry flavor. Unlike fresh or frozen strawberries, the powder adds a concentrated burst of berry without introducing excess moisture into the dough, which could alter the cookie’s texture. You can easily make your own by blending whole freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until fine, or save time by purchasing high-quality strawberry powder online or at specialty stores.
  • Strawberry jam: Complementing the powder, strawberry jam provides an additional layer of fruity sweetness and a subtle moistness to the cookies. It contributes to the soft, chewy texture. Feel free to use your favorite homemade jam or a good quality store-bought variety. Just ensure it’s not too runny, as excess liquid can throw off the dough consistency.
  • Vanilla extract: While strawberry is the star, a touch of pure vanilla extract is crucial. It doesn’t compete with the berry flavor; instead, it enhances and rounds out the overall taste, giving these cookies that comforting, classic sugar cookie depth.
  • Room temperature unsalted butter: The temperature of your butter is paramount for the best cookie texture. Softened, room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, incorporating air that leads to a light and fluffy dough. Avoid using butter that is too warm or melted, as this can cause the cookies to spread excessively during baking. Unsalted butter allows you to control the exact amount of salt in your recipe.
  • All-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt: These are the foundational dry ingredients. All-purpose flour provides the structure, baking soda helps with leavening for a soft rise, and salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.

For a precise list of ingredients and their exact measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.

Exciting Substitutions & Creative Variations

While these strawberry sugar cookies are perfect as is, feel free to get creative and customize them to your liking! Here are some fun ideas to experiment with:

  • Explore Other Berries: Don’t limit yourself to strawberries! This recipe is incredibly adaptable. Try using freeze-dried raspberry powder and raspberry jam for a tangy twist, or opt for blueberry powder and jam for a sweeter, more mellow berry flavor. The process remains the same!
  • Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cookies: For a decadent treat, fold in your favorite chocolate chips! Milk chocolate chips offer a classic pairing, dark chocolate chips add a sophisticated bitterness, or even white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier contrast.
  • Strawberries and Cream Perfection: Achieve a delightful “strawberries and cream” vibe by adding white chocolate chunks or crushed vanilla sandwich cookies (like Oreos) to the dough. The creamy notes perfectly complement the fruity strawberry.
  • Dunk or Drizzle with Chocolate: Take these cookies to the next level by melting some chocolate (milk, dark, or white) and dipping one half of each cooled cookie in it, or simply drizzle it artistically over the tops. This adds an extra layer of flavor and makes them look even more gourmet.
  • Maintain a Lighter Pink Hue: If you desire an even lighter, brighter pink color in your cookies, consider using clear vanilla extract instead of regular vanilla extract. The clear version prevents any slight brownish tint that regular vanilla can sometimes impart.

Please note that this recipe has been specifically developed and tested with the ingredients listed. If you decide to replace or add any ingredients, we’d love to hear how your creations turned out! Share your experience and results in the comments section below to inspire other bakers.

How to Make Delicious Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Making these soft and chewy strawberry sugar cookies is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps for perfectly baked results every time. Remember, the key is in the details!

Quick Recipe Video

Step-by-Step Instructions

Butter, granulated sugar, strawberry powder, and strawberry jam mixed together in a bowl.

Step 1: Cream the Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, freeze-dried strawberry powder, and strawberry jam. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well-combined. This creaming process incorporates air, essential for a soft cookie texture.

Pink strawberry sugar cookie dough in a bowl.

Step 2: Incorporate Dry Ingredients. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough rather than soft cookies.

Strawberry cookie dough balls in a mixture of sugar and freeze-dried strawberry powder.

Step 3: Scoop and Coat the Dough. Using a cookie scoop (approximately 3 tablespoons), portion out the dough. Roll each dough ball gently between your palms to smooth it, then generously coat it in the prepared mixture of granulated sugar and freeze-dried strawberry powder. This coating adds extra sparkle, sweetness, and a burst of strawberry flavor to the exterior of the cookie.

Baked strawberry sugar cookies on a pan with parchment paper.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection. Place the coated cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced about 1-2 inches apart. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 9-12 minutes. Look for visual cues: the edges should begin to crack slightly, and the centers should appear lightly puffy. They may seem underbaked in the middle, but this is key to their soft and chewy texture!

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Strawberry Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality strawberry sugar cookies is easier than you think with a few simple tricks up your sleeve:

  1. Perfecting Butter Temperature: Always ensure your butter is at true room temperature – soft enough to indent with a finger without melting. If it’s too cold, it won’t cream properly, leading to a dense cookie. If it’s too warm or melted, your cookies are more likely to spread excessively and lose their shape. Plan ahead by taking butter out of the fridge at least 30-60 minutes before you start baking.
  2. Precision in Measuring Dry Ingredients: For the most consistent and best results, especially with flour, it’s highly recommended to use a kitchen scale to measure your dry ingredients in grams. Volume measurements (cups) can vary wildly depending on how you scoop, leading to too much or too little flour, which significantly impacts cookie texture.
  3. Avoid Over-mixing the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt) to the wet mixture, mix only until they are *just* combined. Over-mixing develops gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense, and chewy-in-a-bad-way cookies. A few streaks of flour are fine; they’ll disappear during the next stage.
  4. Don’t Overbake for Chewiness: These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy. They might look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out of the oven, but they will continue to set as they cool on the hot baking sheet. Overbaking will result in a dry, crumbly cookie. Trust the process!
  5. Use Parchment Paper: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, ensures even baking, and makes cleanup incredibly easy. Silicone baking mats also work wonderfully.

Common Questions About Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! These strawberry sugar cookies are excellent for making ahead. The baked cookies will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Moreover, both the baked cookies and the cookie dough freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for future cravings or spontaneous baking sessions.

Is the beautiful pink color natural?

Yes, it is completely natural! One of the best features of this recipe is that the lovely pink hue comes entirely from the freeze-dried strawberry powder and the strawberry jam. There’s no need for any artificial dyes or food coloring to achieve this charming and vibrant color, keeping your cookies wholesome and delicious.

Can I make cutout cookies with this dough?

Unfortunately, no. This specific recipe is formulated to create soft, chewy drop cookies, similar to a snickerdoodle in texture. The dough is not stiff enough to hold intricate shapes, so it would not be suitable for making cutout cookies. If you’re looking for a strawberry-flavored cutout cookie, you would need a different dough recipe designed for that purpose.

What exactly is freeze-dried strawberry powder?

Freeze-dried strawberry powder is essentially dehydrated strawberries that have been finely ground into a powder. The freeze-drying process removes all the moisture from the fruit while preserving its intense flavor and nutritional content. This allows you to impart a strong, natural strawberry taste to your baked goods without adding any extra liquid, which can often throw off the delicate balance of a cookie dough.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried powder and jam?

While fresh strawberries are delicious, they contain a significant amount of water. Adding fresh strawberries directly to this cookie dough would introduce too much moisture, drastically changing the texture and likely resulting in very wet, cakey, or overly spread-out cookies. For the best results and to maintain the intended soft and chewy texture, it’s crucial to stick to freeze-dried powder and jam as specified in the recipe.

A soft and chewy strawberry cookie with a bite taken out of it.

Storage & Freezing Tips for Maximum Freshness

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious strawberry sugar cookies for as long as possible. Here’s how to keep them fresh:

Room Temperature Storage

Once your strawberry cookies have completely cooled, transfer them to an airtight container. They will remain wonderfully soft and flavorful for up to 1 week when stored at room temperature. For best results, place a slice of bread in the container to help absorb excess moisture and keep the cookies soft.

Refrigerator Storage (Dough)

If you prefer to prepare your dough in advance, the unbaked strawberry cookie dough can be securely wrapped in plastic wrap and chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, simply let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly, then scoop, roll in strawberry sugar, and bake as directed.

Freezing Instructions

These cookies are freezer-friendly! To freeze baked cookies, ensure they are fully cooled before placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls. Scoop and roll the dough balls in the strawberry sugar mixture, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once solid, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to a month. When ready to bake, thaw the dough balls overnight in the refrigerator, or bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

More Irresistible Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of these fruity strawberry cookies, you’re in for a treat! Explore more delightful cookie recipes from our collection, each designed to bring joy to your kitchen.

  • Easy Raspberry Crumble Cookies (Better than Costco)

  • Fruit Pizza Sugar Cookies

  • Easy Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

  • Cheesecake Stuffed Raspberry Cookies

Kayla Burton from Broken Oven Baking Company holding a phone.

Did you try this recipe?

We absolutely love hearing from you! Let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget to share your delicious creations with us on social media; tag us on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!

Happy Baking!
-Kayla

📖 Recipe

Soft and chewy strawberry sugar cookies.

Soft and Easy Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Kayla Burton

Soft strawberry cookies naturally flavored with freeze-dried strawberry powder and jam! This sugar cookie recipe is easy to make in just 30 minutes!















5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Total Time

25 minutes

Course
Dessert
Cuisine
American

Servings

11
cookies
Calories

241
kcal

Equipment


  • Mixing bowls

  • Measuring spoons

  • Scale/measuring cups

  • Spatula

  • Whisk

  • Cookie scoop about 3 tablespoon capacity

  • Baking sheet lined with parchment paper

  • Wire cooling rack




Kayla’s Top Tip
Weigh dry ingredients in grams (g) with a food scale for best results!

Ingredients

 




  • ½
    cup


    (113.5
    g)

    unsalted butter
    room temperature





  • cup


    (133.33
    g)

    granulated sugar





  • cup


    (32
    g)

    freeze-dried strawberry powder




  • 2
    tablespoons


    (40
    g)

    strawberry jam




  • 1
    large


    egg
    room temperature




  • 1
    teaspoon


    vanilla extract





  • cups


    (156.25
    g)

    all-purpose flour
    weighed in grams for best results




  • ¼
    teaspoon


    baking soda




  • ¼
    teaspoon


    salt




  • ¼
    cup


    (50
    g)

    granulated sugar
    for rolling




  • 1
    tablespoon


    (6
    g)

    freeze-dried strawberry powder
    for rolling

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper; this step is optional but highly recommended for effortless cleanup and to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly cream together the softened butter, ⅔ cup of granulated sugar, ⅓ cup of freeze-dried strawberry powder, and the strawberry jam until the mixture is light, fluffy, and uniformly combined. Next, beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  • Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix carefully, using a spatula or spoon, just until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Be mindful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
  • In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of freeze-dried strawberry powder. Stir well to create your flavorful coating.
  • Using a cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons per scoop), portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball between your hands, then generously coat it in the strawberry sugar mixture prepared in the previous step. Arrange the coated strawberry cookie dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1-2 inches of space between each to allow for spreading.
  • Bake on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 9-12 minutes. The cookies are ready when their edges just begin to show slight cracks and their centers appear slightly puffy. They should still look soft in the middle for that perfect chewy texture.
  • Allow the freshly baked cookies to cool on the baking pan for several minutes until they firm up enough to be transferred without breaking. Once sturdy, carefully move them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy your homemade strawberry sugar cookies!

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Notes


Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week or in the freezer for 1 month.


Yield: Use a smaller/bigger cookie scoop for more/less cookies. Baking time may vary.


Calories:
241
kcal


Carbohydrates:
38
g


Protein:
2
g


Fat:
9
g


Saturated Fat:
5
g


Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.5
g


Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g


Trans Fat:
0.3
g


Cholesterol:
39
mg


Sodium:
87
mg


Potassium:
141
mg


Fiber:
1
g


Sugar:
24
g


Vitamin A:
282
IU


Vitamin C:
104
mg


Calcium:
10
mg


Iron:
3
mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.





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