Delightful Strawberry Shortcake Cookies: Your New Favorite Easy Recipe!
Get ready to fall in love with these incredible strawberry shortcake cookies! Light, bursting with fresh fruitiness, and perfectly sweet, they truly have it all. Imagine the classic taste of strawberry shortcake transformed into a delightful, chewy cookie – that’s exactly what you get with this simple, one-bowl recipe. Utilizing juicy fresh strawberries and everyday pantry staples, these cookies come together in just 25 minutes, making them the ultimate treat whenever you crave something vibrant, fresh, and wonderfully chewy!
If you’re a fan of our quick and delicious cookie creations, be sure to also try our easy chocolate chip cookies, the irresistible chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies, or our zesty lemon cake mix cookies for more delightful baking adventures.
Why You’ll Adore These Fresh Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Do you often find yourself with a container of luscious fresh strawberries nearing their peak in the fridge, wondering how to best enjoy their sweet goodness before they lose their vibrancy? Look no further! This recipe for homemade strawberry shortcake cookies is your perfect solution. It’s an ideal way to celebrate the sweet, juicy flavor of seasonal strawberries, transforming them into a dessert that’s both comforting and exciting. These soft, fluffy cookies offer the bright, refreshing essence of strawberries in every bite, mirroring the beloved flavors of a classic strawberry shortcake dessert, but in a much more convenient, handheld form.
Crafting these gorgeous cookies is incredibly simple. You’ll just need to chop up those ripe strawberries and gently fold them into a basic, homemade cookie dough. The result is a delightfully simple cookie that’s incredibly versatile—perfect for a quick snack, sharing with loved ones, or gifting to friends and family. Each cookie boasts a subtle crunch on the outside, giving way to a wonderfully soft and chewy interior. Their texture is often compared to a perfectly baked sugar cookie, but with the added irresistible burst of fresh strawberry flavor that truly sets them apart. This makes them a universally appealing treat that caters to all palates.
The Perfect Treat for Any Occasion
The naturally sweet flavor and stunning ruby-red color of these fresh strawberry cookies are guaranteed to infuse a pop of brightness and cheer into any gathering, whether it’s a late winter pick-me-up or an early spring celebration. They are an absolute showstopper and are sure to be the star dessert at a Valentine’s Day party, a festive Mother’s Day brunch, an Easter dinner, or simply as a delightful everyday indulgence. Imagine the smiles when you present these beautiful, homemade treats!
These aren’t just pretty cookies; they’re incredibly delicious. Trust us, one bite of these thick, chewy, and tender strawberry cookies will have your guests asking for the recipe before they’ve even finished their first one! Their vibrant flavor and appealing texture make them an instant crowd-pleaser, cementing their place as a go-to recipe in your baking repertoire. They are truly the best strawberry cookies you’ll ever bake!
Gather Your Simple Ingredients
This section provides detailed ingredient notes and handy substitution options, ensuring you have everything you need for these perfect strawberry shortcake cookies. For all precise measurements, a complete list of ingredients, and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post.
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the essential structural base for our soft and chewy strawberry cookies. For those with dietary considerations, a good quality gluten-free flour blend can work, or you can opt for whole wheat flour for a denser, nuttier texture.
- Fresh Strawberries: The star of the show! These juicy, sweet berries are non-negotiable for authentic strawberry shortcake cookies. Aim for ripe, firm strawberries for the best flavor and texture in your baked goods.
- Sugars (Brown and White): A carefully balanced blend of both brown and white granulated sugar is key. The white sugar contributes to the crisp exterior, while the brown sugar adds moisture, depth of flavor, and that irresistible soft, chewy texture characteristic of the best cookies.
- Eggs: Acting as a crucial binding agent, eggs bring all your cookie dough ingredients together, providing structure and moisture, which results in a tender crumb.
- Salted Butter: Using softened salted butter not only imparts a rich, creamy flavor but also adds just the right amount of salt to balance the sweetness, enhancing the overall taste profile of the cookies. If using unsalted butter, simply add a pinch more salt (about ¼ teaspoon) to the dry ingredients.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is responsible for giving your cookies their lovely rise and airy, slightly fluffy texture, making them feel light despite their richness.
- Extracts (Vanilla and Almond): The combination of vanilla and almond extract is magical in this recipe. Vanilla adds a classic warmth, while almond extract provides a delicate, almost cherry-like depth that beautifully complements the fresh strawberries, elevating the flavor beyond just “strawberry.” If you’re not an almond fan, you can increase the vanilla or omit the almond extract entirely.
Essential Equipment for Easy Baking
This simple strawberry cookie recipe is designed to be a one-bowl wonder, meaning it requires minimal equipment, making clean-up a breeze. To get started, you’ll primarily need:
- Large Mixing Bowl: Crucial for combining all your ingredients without any spills.
- Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand): While you can mix by hand, an electric mixer makes creaming the butter and sugars much easier and ensures a perfectly smooth dough.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient proportions.
- Cookie Scoop: An absolute game-changer for uniform cookies that bake evenly. A tablespoon can work in a pinch.
- Cookie Sheet(s): For baking your delicious cookies.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Highly recommended to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Follow these easy steps with accompanying photos to create the most delicious fresh strawberry shortcake cookies. For the complete, printable recipe card with all measurements and detailed instructions, please scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Cream Together Wet Ingredients. In your large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter. Using an electric mixer, cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and the sugar crystals have largely dissolved. This step is crucial for the cookies’ final texture.
Step 2: Incorporate Extracts and Eggs. To the creamed butter and sugar mixture, add the almond extract, vanilla extract, and crack in the two large eggs. Mix well with your electric mixer until all these ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture appears smooth and cohesive. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly combined.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients. Gradually add your all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Start on a low speed to avoid a flour cloud, then slowly increase the speed, mixing until there are no visible clumps of flour remaining in your cookie dough. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; just combine until smooth.
Step 4: Gently Fold in Strawberries. This is where the magic happens! Carefully fold your finely diced fresh strawberries into the cookie dough using a spatula. Mix just until the strawberries are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Overmixing here can cause the strawberries to break down too much.
Step 5: Scoop and Arrange. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out uniform balls of dough. Roll them gently into neat spheres and place them evenly on your parchment-lined cookie sheet, ensuring they are at least 1 inch apart to allow for proper spreading during baking.
Step 6: Bake and Cool. Pop your cookie sheets into the preheated oven. Bake until the edges of your cookies begin to turn a beautiful golden brown and the centers are just set. This usually takes about 14-16 minutes. Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the cookie sheet for about 4-5 minutes. This helps them set up properly before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Then, it’s time to enjoy your perfectly baked fresh strawberry cookies!
Storage Tips for Optimal Freshness
To keep your delightful strawberry shortcake cookies tasting their best, proper storage is key:
- Room Temperature: Store baked cookies in an airtight container on your countertop for up to 5-7 days. While they are still delicious, the texture and freshness are best enjoyed within the first 2-3 days.
- Freezer (Baked Cookies): For longer storage, place fully cooled baked cookies in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will keep beautifully in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
- Freezer (Cookie Dough): For ultimate convenience, you can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time! Shape your cookie dough into balls as directed in the recipe, then flash freeze them on a baking sheet until firm. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for warm, fresh-baked strawberry cookies, simply place a few frozen dough balls onto a lined baking sheet and bake as usual, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
- Almond Extract Magic: The almond extract in this recipe truly elevates the flavor, creating a creamy, almost cherry-like note that perfectly complements the fresh strawberries. If almond isn’t your preference, feel free to omit it entirely, or use an extra ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract for a more classic flavor profile.
- Achieving Your Desired Cookie Spread: Due to the moisture and chunks of fresh strawberries, these cookies don’t spread as much as a typical sugar cookie. If you prefer a flatter, crisper cookie, gently flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass or the back of a spoon before baking. For a thicker, chewier cookie, leave them as rounded balls.
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Twist: For an indulgent treat, especially fitting for Valentine’s Day, try dipping your fully cooled fresh strawberry shortcake cookies into melted milk, dark, or white chocolate before serving. It’s a fantastic combination!
- Perfect for Gifting and Parties: These beautiful white and red cookies are not only delicious but also visually appealing. They make an ideal treat for tea parties, bridal showers, baby showers, or as a thoughtful, edible Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day gift.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly, creating a smooth batter that traps air for light and fluffy cookies.
Fun Variations and Add-Ins for Your Strawberry Cookies
The delicate sweetness and slight tartness of fresh strawberries pair wonderfully with a diverse array of other ingredients. Experiment with these fun add-ins to customize your strawberry shortcake cookies:
- Chocolate Chips: White chocolate chips are a classic pairing, but milk or even dark chocolate chips can add a delicious contrast.
- Dried Fruits: For a deeper, chewier texture, try incorporating dried cherries or cranberries.
- Cream Cheese Chunks: Small chunks of sweetened cream cheese folded into the dough before baking will create pockets of creamy deliciousness, enhancing the “shortcake” feel.
- Strawberry Jam Swirls: Swirl a teaspoon of good quality strawberry jam into each cookie dough ball before baking for an extra burst of concentrated strawberry flavor.
- Citrus Zest: A touch of lemon zest or a tiny squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the strawberry flavor even further.
- Nuts: Chopped almonds (to enhance the almond extract!), pecans, or walnuts can add a delightful crunch and nutty undertone.
- Crushed Graham Crackers: Mix in some crushed graham crackers for a subtle, buttery crunch and a hint of a “pie crust” flavor.
- Golden Oreo Chunks: For a playful twist, fold in chunks of Golden Oreo cookies for added texture and a familiar, sweet vanilla note.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Yes, you absolutely can! If you’re using frozen strawberries, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, thaw them completely and then gently pat them very dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial to prevent your cookies from becoming too soggy. They might be a little harder to dice when partially frozen, but once thawed and dried, they should bake up just fine in these delicious cookies.
Absolutely! While these cookies are perfectly flavorful, sweet, and satisfying on their own, adding a frosting can turn them into an extra-special dessert. For a true “shortcake” experience, a dollop of whipped cream is divine! Alternatively, a simple cream cheese frosting, a light strawberry frosting, a decadent white chocolate ganache, or a tangy lemon frosting would all be excellent additions to these cookies, adding another layer of flavor and elegance.
Strawberry shortcake cookies, especially with fresh fruit, tend to be thicker than standard cookies due to the moisture from the fruit and its weight preventing significant spread. If you prefer a flatter cookie, try gently pressing down on the dough balls with the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass before baking. Ensure your butter is properly softened (not melted) and that you haven’t added too much flour, as these can also affect spread.
More Delicious Fresh Strawberry Recipes
Looking for even more incredible ways to use up an abundance of fresh, juicy strawberries? Give one of these other fantastic recipes a try for more fruity delights:
- Strawberry Poke Cake
- Strawberry Muffins
- No-Bake Strawberry Jello Pie
- Strawberry Scones
- Strawberry Filled Cupcakes
- No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
- Strawberry Pound Cake
- Strawberry Icebox Cake
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Author: Jaclyn
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
30
cookies
Saved!
Ingredients
-
¾
cup
granulated sugar -
½
cup
brown sugar -
½
cup
salted butter
softened -
2
teaspoons
vanilla extract -
1
teaspoon
almond extract
-
2
large eggs -
2 ½
cups
all-purpose flour -
1 ½
teaspoon
baking powder -
1
cup
diced fresh strawberries
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside, preparing your workspace for baking.
-
In a large bowl, using either a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
-
Add the almond extract, vanilla extract, and eggs. Continue to mix until the eggs are fully incorporated into the dough and the entire mixture is smooth and cohesive.
-
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Stir slowly at first, then increase speed, mixing until no clumps of flour remain and a uniform cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
-
Gently fold in the diced fresh strawberries using a spatula. Mix just until the strawberries are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough, ensuring they don’t get mashed.
-
Using a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, scoop uniform balls of dough onto your prepared cookie sheets, ensuring each ball is placed at least 1 inch apart to allow for proper spreading.
-
Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown and the centers are set. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 4 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
|
Calories:
104
kcal
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