The Happiest Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe for Spring

Sweet memories bloom with every strawberry shortbread cookies bite, melting memories into delectable moments.

Crisp, buttery edges caressing soft fruity centers that dance across your palate.

Childhood afternoons spent in grandma’s kitchen suddenly resurface with these delicate treats.

Bright red berries peek through crumbly, golden layers, promising pure delight.

Each cookie whispers stories of summer afternoons and simple pleasures.

Soft crumbles and intense strawberry essence combine in a symphony of comfort.

This recipe invites you to create magic with just a few humble ingredients.

Grab your apron and let’s turn ordinary ingredients into extraordinary memories.

Why Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Are A Sweet Treat

• Burst with Fruity Flavor: Crushed freeze-dried strawberries infuse these shortbread cookies with an intense, natural strawberry taste that transforms classic buttery cookies into a vibrant, exciting treat.
• Create Effortlessly Elegant Desserts: Simple techniques like chilling dough and using cookie cutters make these cookies look professionally crafted, perfect for impressing guests without complex baking skills.
• Customize with Playful Decorations: The optional strawberry glaze allows personal creativity, letting you add different colors, sprinkles, or extra strawberry crumbles to match any celebration or mood.
• Enjoy Make-Ahead Convenience: Dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, making these cookies ideal for busy bakers who want delicious homemade treats without last-minute stress.

Ingredients For Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for tender shortbread texture. Best when unsalted and softened at room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges. White sugar works best for classic shortbread.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the classic shortbread structure. Use fresh, sifted flour for smooth dough.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Fine table salt recommended.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic background flavor. Pure vanilla extract provides best taste.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Delivers intense strawberry flavor without added moisture. Crushes easily into fine powder.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk or Cream: Creates smooth, glossy coating for cookies. Adjust liquid for desired consistency.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder: Provides natural pink color and strawberry flavor to glaze.
• Food Coloring: Optional for more vibrant pink shade. Gel colors recommended for intense color.

How To Bake Strawberry Shortbread Cookies At Home

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab your mixing bowl and electric mixer. Soften the butter until it’s creamy and smooth. Blend the butter and sugar together, whipping until the mixture becomes light and airy. This is where the magic begins! Pour in the vanilla extract and sprinkle in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries, mixing until everything comes together in a delightful swirl.

• Butter
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Freeze-dried strawberries

Step 2: Create the Perfect Dough

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing gently until a soft, pillowy dough forms. Divide the dough into two neat disks and wrap them up in plastic wrap. Pop these into the refrigerator and let them chill out for at least an hour – patience is key!

Step 3: Roll and Shape the Cookies

Heat up the oven to 325F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Take out one dough disk and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Time to get creative – use your favorite cookie cutter to create beautiful shapes! Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the baking sheet, giving them a little breathing room between each one.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the cookies bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch for those edges to turn a beautiful golden brown. Once done, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Step 5: Add the Strawberry Glaze (Optional but Recommended!)

• Powdered sugar
• Milk or cream
• Freeze-dried strawberry powder
• Food coloring (for an extra pop of pink)

Drizzle or spread the glaze over the cooled cookies. For an extra touch of magic, sprinkle some crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top before the glaze sets.

Tips That Help With Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal creamy texture for smooth cookie dough.
• Prevent Sticky Dough: Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain precise cookie shapes during baking.
• Customize Glaze Consistency: Add milk gradually to control the thickness of the strawberry glaze, ensuring it drizzles or spreads smoothly over cookies.
• Maximize Strawberry Flavor: Crush freeze-dried strawberries finely to distribute flavor evenly throughout the cookie dough and glaze.
• Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How To Keep Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled shortbread cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent strawberry flavor from degrading.
• Freeze: Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300F (150C) for 35 minutes to restore their crisp texture. Avoid microwaving, which can make shortbread soft and lose its delicate crumbly texture.
• Glaze Tip: If using strawberry glaze, add it just before serving to prevent softening of the cookie's crisp edges.

Best Matches For Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Pair with Fruity Rosé Wine: Complement the strawberry shortbread cookies with a chilled, light rosé wine that echoes the delicate strawberry notes and balances the buttery richness of the shortbread.
• Serve with Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Brew a fragrant cup of lavender Earl Grey tea to enhance the cookie's delicate flavors, creating a sophisticated and refreshing pairing that brings out the subtle strawberry essence.
• Create a Berry Parfait Companion: Layer vanilla yogurt with fresh strawberries and a crumbled shortbread cookie for a delightful dessert that amplifies the cookie's fruity and buttery characteristics.
• Match with White Chocolate Mocha: Enjoy a creamy white chocolate mocha that complements the sweetness of the strawberry shortbread, providing a luxurious and indulgent drinking experience.

Ways To Switch Up Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Citrus Burst Shortbread: Swap freeze-dried strawberries with lemon or orange zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile. Add a splash of citrus extract to enhance the fruity notes and create a refreshing cookie experience.
• Lavender Honey Shortbread: Incorporate dried lavender buds and replace some sugar with honey for a delicate, floral undertone. Drizzle with lavender-infused glaze to elevate the elegant taste and aroma.
• Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Shortbread: After cooling, partially dip each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed freeze-dried strawberries for an indulgent, decadent treat that combines classic flavors.
• Nutty Strawberry Crunch: Mix chopped almonds or pistachios into the dough for added texture. Roll cookie edges in finely chopped nuts before baking to create a crunchy, nutty exterior that complements the sweet strawberry essence.

FAQ On Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Why use freeze-dried strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Freeze-dried strawberries provide intense strawberry flavor without adding extra moisture to the cookie dough. They create a concentrated strawberry taste and prevent the cookies from becoming soggy.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cookie dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the dough for up to 2 weeks, which makes it super convenient for preparing in advance.

• How do I know when the shortbread cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center. The cookies should appear slightly firm but not browned. They’ll continue to set as they cool, so don’t overbake them.

• Are these cookies good for special occasions like Valentine's Day or bridal showers?

Yes! The heart-shaped cutters and pink strawberry glaze make these cookies perfect for romantic or celebratory events. They look elegant and taste delicious, making them ideal for special gatherings.

Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delicate strawberry shortbread cookies blend buttery Scottish tradition with sweet summer memories. Crumbly, melt-in-mouth texture and fruity notes make these treats irresistible for weekend baking and sharing with friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (50 g) freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed

Flavoring and Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Glaze and Garnish (Optional):

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder (or strawberry jam)
• A drop or two of pink food coloring
• Additional crushed freeze-dried strawberries
• Sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Craft a velvety dough by whipping softened butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like consistency. Incorporate vanilla essence and crushed freeze-dried strawberries, blending until harmoniously combined.
2. In a separate vessel, sift flour and salt together. Gently introduce the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring at low velocity until a tender, malleable dough emerges.
3. Partition the dough into two symmetrical disks, encase each in plastic membrane, and nestle in the refrigerator for a minimum of 60 minutes to firm and develop flavor.
4. Warm the oven to 325F (165C), positioning racks to ensure even heat distribution. Layer baking sheets with parchment paper for pristine cookie release.
5. Upon a flour-dusted workspace, unfurl one dough disk to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Utilize a cookie cutter to sculpt delicate shapes, reserving the remaining dough disk in cool storage.
6. Carefully transfer cookie silhouettes onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining a precise one-inch perimeter between each delicate creation.
7. Slide the trays into the preheated oven, allowing cookies to transform for 12-15 minutes until edges acquire a gentle golden hue.
8. Extract cookies and permit them to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then transition to a wire cooling rack for complete temperature equilibration.
9. For an optional lustrous finish, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and freeze-dried strawberry powder into a silky glaze. Adjust viscosity as desired, and embellish cooled cookies with a graceful drizzle.
10. Enhance the visual appeal by sprinkling additional crushed strawberry fragments or decorative elements before the glaze solidifies.

Notes

• Soften butter completely at room temperature for smooth, even mixing that creates a light, airy cookie texture.
• Crush freeze-dried strawberries finely to distribute flavor evenly throughout the dough without adding excess moisture.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp, defined cookie shapes during baking.
• Use parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure even browning and easy cookie removal without sticking.
• Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes for seasonal variations or personalized presentation.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their delicate, crumbly texture.
• Substitute gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the cookie’s classic shortbread taste.
• Add a pinch of salt to enhance the strawberry flavor and balance the sweetness of the glaze.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg