Name: Elegant Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour; 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened; 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 150 g (½ cup) strawberry jam or preserves; 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream; 120 g (½ cup) cream cheese, softened; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for cookie base); 30 g (¼ cup) powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling); Fresh strawberries, halved or diced; Mint leaves (optional); Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Biting into a delicate strawberry sugar cookie cup that melts softly in your mouth.

Sweet summer memories dance across these delightful miniature treats waiting to charm you.

Delicate pastry shells cradle fresh, ripe strawberries in a perfect handheld dessert.

Crisp cookie edges complement juicy strawberry centers with surprising texture and flavor.

Whipped cream adds a light, dreamy touch to these adorable small confections.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical when you combine them with creativity.

Each bite promises pure, delectable bliss that will make everyone smile.

Step 1: Create Cookie Dough Base

Grab your mixing bowl and combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Crack an egg and splash vanilla extract, blending smoothly. Slowly merge dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating soft dough. Shape small dough balls and nestle them into greased mini muffin tin. Gently press center using thumb or spoon handle to form cute wells. Slide into preheated oven and bake until golden edges appear. Let cookie cups cool completely inside tin.

Step 2: Whip Dreamy Strawberry Filling

Snag your mixer and combine:

Cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

Whip heavy cream until peaks stand tall and proud. Tenderly fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Swirl strawberry jam throughout, creating beautiful marbled patterns.

Step 3: Craft Beautiful Cookie Treats

Pipe or spoon strawberry filling into cooled cookie cups. Crown each cup with fresh strawberry piece. Optional: Sprinkle mint leaves for extra charm.

Step 4: Final Flourish

Dust cookie cups with powdered sugar. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Watch faces light up with pure delight!

Customize Cookie Texture: Adjust butter temperature for softer or crispier cookies by using room temperature or slightly chilled butter.
Prevent Cracking: Gently press thumb into cookie dough centers halfway through baking to maintain smooth, even wells.
Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare cookie cups and filling separately, storing them in airtight containers up to 2 days before assembling for convenient entertaining.
Dietary Modifications: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version or use dairy-free cream cheese and whipped coconut cream for vegan alternative.
Flavor Variation: Experiment with different jams like raspberry or mixed berry to create unique filling combinations that complement the sweet sugar cookie base.

Refrigerate: Place cookie cups in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Keep chilled for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent soggy texture.
Freeze: Wrap individual cookie cups tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks to preserve their delicate flavor and texture.
Thaw: Remove frozen cookie cups from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Avoid microwaving to prevent softening the crisp cookie base.
Refresh: Quickly warm cookie cups in a preheated oven at 150C (300F) for 2-3 minutes to restore their slightly crisp edges before serving.

Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the sweet strawberry filling with a chilled Moscato or Riesling, enhancing the dessert's delicate fruity notes and light, refreshing character.
Match with Fresh Berry Smoothie: Create a berry-licious experience by serving alongside a homemade strawberry or mixed berry smoothie, amplifying the dessert's vibrant strawberry essence.
Serve with Vanilla Bean Latte: Balance the cookie's sweetness with a creamy vanilla bean latte, providing a warm, rich contrast to the cool, fruity filling and adding depth to each bite.
Complement with Champagne: Elevate the elegant dessert with a glass of light, bubbly champagne, adding a touch of sophistication and creating a perfect celebratory moment.

Tropical Paradise Cups: Swap strawberry jam with passion fruit puree and top with toasted coconut flakes for a vibrant, exotic flavor profile.
Chocolate Berry Sensation: Replace vanilla extract with cocoa powder in the cookie dough, use raspberry jam in the filling, and garnish with dark chocolate shavings.
Lavender Lemon Infusion: Add dried lavender buds to the cookie dough, use lemon zest in the cream cheese mixture, and top with candied lemon peel for a sophisticated citrus twist.
Nutty Caramel Dream: Mix crushed almonds into the cookie dough, drizzle caramel sauce over the filling, and sprinkle sea salt on top for a rich, decadent experience.

Why use a mini muffin tin for these cookie cups?

The mini muffin tin helps create perfectly shaped, uniform cookie cups with a beautiful well in the center, ensuring each bite has the ideal cookie-to-filling ratio.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before shaping.

How do I prevent the cookie cups from sticking to the pan?

Generously grease the mini muffin tin with butter or cooking spray, and let the cookie cups cool completely before removing them. Use a small offset spatula or knife to gently loosen the edges if needed.

What's the secret to getting a perfect well in the cookie cups?

Gently press the center of the dough balls with your thumb or the back of a spoon immediately after placing them in the tin. Do this before baking to create a clean, even indentation for the filling.

Delightfully Bite-Sized: These mini strawberry sugar cookie cups offer perfect single-serving portions that make grabbing dessert incredibly easy and mess-free.
Texture Symphony: Enjoy the delightful contrast between crisp, buttery cookie shells and smooth, creamy strawberry filling that melts deliciously in your mouth.
Quick Weekend Treat: Prep and bake these elegant desserts in under 30 minutes, making them ideal for spontaneous family gatherings or last-minute sweet cravings.
Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for various occasions like bridal showers, afternoon tea, children's parties, or as a sophisticated dessert that appeals to both kids and adults.

Cookie Base Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: A key structure builder for the cookie cups, providing a soft and tender texture.
Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and create a light, airy consistency.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender crumb, best when softened at room temperature.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie texture.
Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture to the dough.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor to the cookie base.

Filling Ingredients:

Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and creamy base for the filling, ensuring a smooth texture.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps achieve a smooth consistency.
Heavy Cream: Adds lightness and helps create a fluffy filling.
Strawberry Jam: Provides intense strawberry flavor and creates a beautiful marbled effect.

Garnish Ingredients:

Fresh Strawberries: Adds a pop of color and fresh fruity flavor.
Mint Leaves: Optional garnish that provides a fresh, aromatic touch.
Powdered Sugar: Gives an elegant finishing dusting to the cookie cups.

James Mitchell

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Creation and Testing, Fusion Cuisine, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education

Education

Kendall College, Chicago, IL

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classic and modern cooking techniques, with a specialization in international cuisines.

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

Program: Advanced Certificate in Gastronomy
Focus: In-depth studies of global food cultures, flavor profiling, and innovative recipe development.

James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation.

His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.