Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe
Imagine the sweet aroma of strawberries and vanilla filling your kitchen — the Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe is a playful, pink-hued treat that promises a delightful blend of chewiness and crunch. Each bite is a celebration of strawberry flavor, thanks to a double dose of fruity sparkle from both freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry gelatin. These cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious, making them a showstopper for parties, birthdays, or just a cheerful afternoon pick-me-up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is about more than just ticking off a list; each component brings its own magic to the Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe. The combination of pantry staples and strawberry surprises creates cookies with unmistakable flavor, perfectly tender centers, and that signature sparkling finish.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb, forming the base of your cookie dough.
- Baking soda: Ensures the cookies rise and develop a light, pleasing texture.
- Cream of tartar: Adds a subtle tang and keeps the cookies chewy and soft.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially bringing out the natural sweetness of the strawberries.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Contributes rich flavor and irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Works its magic for both sweetness and that lovely cookie texture inside and out.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: Provides warmth and depth of flavor, highlighting the strawberries beautifully.
- Almond extract: Just a hint enhances the strawberry flavor and adds a bakery-style fragrance.
- Freeze-dried strawberries (ground into powder): Real strawberry taste and color without any added moisture; a must for that authentic berry punch.
- Strawberry-flavored gelatin powder (such as Jell-O): Boosts both color and flavor, giving these cookies a vibrant, playful pink.
- Granulated sugar (for rolling): This is what gives the cookies that irresistible, sparkling exterior.
- Additional freeze-dried strawberry powder (for rolling): Puts the “sparkle” in Sparkling Strawberry Sugar and packs that final punch of berry brilliance.
How to Make Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this extra step means your cookies won’t stick, and cleanup practically disappears. It’s a small move that pays off big time!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. This blend is the secret behind the cookies’ pillowy softness and gentle lift. Don’t skimp on the whisking: this evenly distributes leaveners and keeps your cookies consistent from batch to batch.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a large bowl and electric mixer, beat the softened butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step creates air pockets, making every cookie extra tender. Trust me, the transformation is real! Creaming well is key to that classic cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts
Crack in the egg, then splash in the vanilla and almond extract. Mix until well combined. Not only does the egg bind your dough, but the extracts create a flavor profile that tastes straight out of your favorite bakery.
Step 5: Add Strawberry Goodness
Here’s where the magic happens: stir in the strawberry-flavored gelatin and 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberry powder. This duo turns the dough a gorgeous pink—with a fruity aroma that will make your kitchen smell like strawberry fields!
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Over-mixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as things come together. You’ll see the dough tinted a cheery shade of pink, speckled perfectly by little flecks of strawberry.
Step 7: Make the Sparkling Strawberry Sugar
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder. This simple topping is your secret weapon—it’s what makes the Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe truly dazzling.
Step 8: Shape and Coat
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Give each dough ball a generous roll in the strawberry sugar mixture, coating them from top to bottom. Not only does this add crunch, but it creates that signature, sparkling pink finish.
Step 9: Bake
Place each cookie ball on your prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges look set but the centers remain soft. This is the secret to chewy, bakery-style cookies—don’t overbake! Let them cool on the sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling.
How to Serve Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe
Garnishes
Want to dress your cookies up even more? Try a light dusting of extra freeze-dried strawberry powder on top right before serving, or place a sliced fresh strawberry next to each cookie on your dessert plate. A drizzle of white chocolate also looks and tastes fantastic!
Side Dishes
These cookies shine with a cold glass of milk, but they’re also lovely alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or strawberry sorbet. For special occasions, serve them with a rosy-hued berry lemonade or a cup of your favorite tea.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your batch into delightful gifts by stacking cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a pink ribbon. For parties, arrange them in concentric circles on a cake stand for a “cookie bouquet.” You can even sandwich some strawberry or vanilla buttercream between two cookies for a festive twist on classic ice cream sandwiches.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After they’ve cooled completely, stash any leftover Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days, though they rarely last that long!
Freezing
If you want to get ahead, freeze baked cookies in layers separated by wax paper in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best flavor. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake them straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To get that just-baked warmth, pop a cookie or two into a microwave for 10-12 seconds. You can also refresh cookies in a 300°F oven for about 3 minutes if you like them warm and crisp around the edges.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried for the cookie dough?
Fresh strawberries have too much moisture, which will change the dough’s texture and make the cookies spread too much. Freeze-dried strawberries give intense flavor and color without the extra liquid.
What can I substitute for the cream of tartar?
If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can replace both the baking soda and cream of tartar with 1 teaspoon baking powder—but for best texture, cream of tartar is recommended in this recipe.
Is it possible to make Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking mix. The results will still be wonderfully chewy and packed with berry flavor.
How can I make the pink color even more intense?
If you want a deeper pink, add a drop or two of red or pink gel food coloring to the dough along with the strawberry powder and gelatin. A little goes a long way!
Can I double the Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe scales up beautifully. Just make sure to mix your dough in a large bowl and rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking for even results every time.
Final Thoughts
You’re just a few easy steps away from baking up a batch of sparkle-topped, berry-filled happiness! Give the Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe a try and let it bring a dash of joy and color to your kitchen. I can almost guarantee they’ll become a new favorite treat — and I can’t wait for you to share them with loved ones.
Print
Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, infused with the sweet essence of strawberries. The addition of strawberry gelatin and freeze-dried strawberries not only enhances the flavor but also gives the cookies a beautiful pink hue, making them perfect for special occasions or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Strawberry Flavor:
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, ground into powder
- 3 tablespoons strawberry-flavored gelatin powder
For Rolling:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons additional freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Incorporate strawberry flavors: Stir in the strawberry gelatin and freeze-dried strawberry powder.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Make strawberry sugar: Combine sugar and strawberry powder in a bowl.
- Coat and bake: Roll dough into balls, coat in the strawberry sugar, place on baking sheets, and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by reducing the amount of strawberry gelatin.
- For optimal flavor and color, use freeze-dried strawberries instead of fresh ones.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
