Buttery Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet strawberry shortbread cookies whisper comfort and nostalgia through every delicate crumb.

Memories of summer afternoons bloom with each buttery bite.

Crisp edges melt into soft centers, creating a delightful texture that surprises you.

Fragrant strawberries weave magic into classic Scottish-inspired shortbread, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Crumbly and light, these cookies promise an escape from ordinary desserts.

Pure joy emerges from this simple recipe that connects tradition with modern sweetness.

Why Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Are So Tempting

• Craft with Minimal Ingredients: Dive into a simple recipe that requires just a handful of basic pantry staples, making it a stress-free baking adventure.
• Create Stunning Dessert Centerpiece: Transform ordinary ingredients into a visually appealing treat that will impress guests with its vibrant strawberry color and delicate glaze.
• Customize Your Cookie Experience: Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes and decorating techniques to make each batch unique and personalized.
• Master Gourmet Baking Technique: Learn a professional-level method of incorporating freeze-dried strawberry powder to elevate traditional shortbread into a sophisticated dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Cookies

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: A concentrated ingredient that provides intense strawberry flavor and vibrant color to the shortbread cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient that creates the classic shortbread texture and structure.
• Butter: A rich and creamy ingredient that delivers a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture to the cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: A fine sugar that helps create a tender and delicate shortbread cookie with a smooth sweetness.

• Milk: A liquid that helps create a smooth and pourable glaze for the cookies.

• Powdered Sugar (for Glaze), Milk: A simple combination that creates a sweet and smooth glaze to enhance the cookies' appearance and flavor.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder (for Garnish): An optional topping that adds extra strawberry flavor and a decorative touch to the finished cookies.

How to Make Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Perfectly

Step 1: Powderize Strawberries

Place freeze-dried strawberries in a high-speed blender or food processor. Pulse until they transform into a fine, delicate powder.

Step 2: Separate Strawberry Dust

Optionally, set aside a teaspoon of strawberry powder for the glaze. Skip this if you want a simple, classic finish.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

Transfer remaining strawberry powder into a medium mixing bowl. Add all-purpose flour and whisk until completely combined.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer, blend softened butter and powdered sugar. Whip on medium speed for about one minute until the mixture becomes light, airy, and fluffy.

Step 5: Create Cookie Dough

Gradually incorporate the flour-strawberry mixture into the creamed butter and sugar. Mix on low speed until everything blends smoothly.

Step 6: Finalize Dough Mixture

Scrape bowl sides with a spatula, then give a quick mix to eliminate any stubborn flour lumps.

Step 7: Chill Initial Dough

Shape the dough into a smooth disc.

Wrap completely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes to help it firm up.

Step 8: Roll and Shape Cookies

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a quarter-inch thickness.

Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 9: Second Chilling

Return shaped cookies to the refrigerator for another 15-minute cooling session.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Bake cookies for 15-17 minutes until centers look set and edges turn a delicate golden color.

Watch carefully to prevent overcooking.

Step 11: Prepare Glaze

While cookies bake, whisk powdered sugar with milk.

Add reserved strawberry powder for an extra burst of flavor if desired.

Step 12: Decorate Cookies

Once cookies cool completely, drizzle or dip in glaze.

Sprinkle additional crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top for a gorgeous finishing touch.

Step 13: Let Glaze Set

Allow glazed cookies to rest for approximately 15 minutes before serving or storing in an airtight container.

Tips to Bake Buttery Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Crush freeze-dried strawberries completely to ensure a smooth, even powder for intense flavor throughout the cookies.
• Chill the dough twice to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use parchment paper for easy cookie removal and prevent sticking to the baking sheet.
• Work with cold dough for cleaner cutting and more defined cookie edges.
• Choose high-quality freeze-dried strawberries for the most vibrant and concentrated strawberry taste in your shortbread cookies.

Unique Takes on Strawberry Shortbread Cookie Recipe

• Berry Blast Shortbread: Replace strawberry powder with raspberry or blueberry powder for a different fruity flavor profile.
• Vegan Shortbread Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use plant-based milk for the glaze to create a dairy-free version.
• Gluten-Free Wonder: Use almond flour or gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Chocolate Cherry Remix: Swap strawberry powder with cocoa powder and add chopped dried cherries to the dough for a rich, indulgent cookie variation.

Great Pairings with Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

Pair Delightful Flavor Companions: Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Brew Complementary Tea: Chamomile or light green tea beautifully softens the buttery cookie's richness while enhancing the strawberry's delicate sweetness.
• Select Matching Wine: Moscato d'Asti offers a light, sparkling sweetness that perfectly mirrors the cookie's fruity and delicate profile, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Create Creamy Contrast: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped mascarpone cream to balance the cookie's crisp texture and amplify its strawberry undertones.
• Enhance Dessert Experience: Fresh strawberry slices or a small dollop of strawberry preserves can elevate the cookie's natural berry essence and provide a refreshing accompaniment.

Best Way to Store Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.

Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention and texture.

Store in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Best consumed within this timeframe for optimal taste.

Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving to restore their crisp texture and revive the delicate strawberry flavor.

FAQs

• What makes freeze-dried strawberries different from fresh strawberries in this recipe?

Freeze-dried strawberries create a concentrated powder that adds intense strawberry flavor without adding moisture to the dough, ensuring the cookies maintain the perfect shortbread texture.

• Can I use regular strawberries instead of freeze-dried strawberries?

No, regular strawberries contain too much moisture and will make the dough wet and difficult to work with. Freeze-dried strawberries are crucial for achieving the right cookie consistency and concentrated flavor.

• Why do I need to chill the dough twice?

The first chilling helps the butter firm up and prevents spreading, while the second chilling after cutting shapes ensures the cookies maintain their precise shape during baking and prevents excessive spreading.

Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet and buttery strawberry shortbread cookies bring delightful Mediterranean charm to classic dessert traditions. Crumbly, melt-in-mouth shortbread meets fresh strawberry essence, promising pure bliss with each delicate bite you savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 package (1 ounces) freeze-dried strawberries

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (29 milliliters)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pulverize freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a high-speed blender or food processor.
2. Separate one teaspoon of strawberry powder for potential glaze enhancement, keeping the remainder for the cookie mixture.
3. Combine the strawberry powder with all-purpose flour in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute evenly.
4. Cream softened butter and powdered sugar in a stand mixer at medium speed for approximately 1 minute until achieving a light, fluffy texture.
5. Gradually incorporate the flour-strawberry blend into the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until completely integrated.
6. Use a spatula to scrape bowl sides, ensuring complete ingredient incorporation and eliminating potential flour clusters.
7. Form the dough into a compact disc, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 15 minutes to enhance structural integrity.
8. Roll the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, utilizing cookie cutters to create desired shapes.
9. Place cut cookie shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then return to refrigerator for an additional 15-minute cooling period.
10. Heat oven to 350F (175C), bake cookies for 15-17 minutes until centers stabilize and edges turn delicately golden.
11. During baking, prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk, optionally integrating the reserved strawberry powder for enhanced flavor.
12. After complete cooling, embellish cookies by drizzling or dipping in glaze, with optional sprinkled freeze-dried strawberry crumbs for visual appeal.
13. Allow glazed cookies to solidify for approximately 15 minutes before serving or storing.

Notes

• Select ripe, vibrant freeze-dried strawberries for the most intense flavor and color in your shortbread cookies.
• Work with cold butter and chilled dough to ensure a tender, crumbly texture that’s characteristic of classic shortbread.
• Use a sharp cookie cutter and clean cuts to help the cookies maintain their shape during baking, preventing spread and maintaining crisp edges.
• Customize the glaze by adjusting milk quantity for thicker or thinner consistency, allowing creative drizzling or complete cookie dipping.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg