If you have a sweet tooth and a love for all things strawberry, you are in for a treat with this Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are bursting with vibrant strawberry flavor, thanks to the clever use of freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry jam in both the dough and the icing. Soft and tender sugar cookies meet a luscious, creamy strawberry frosting that’s both light and flavorful, making these cookies absolutely irresistible and perfect for sharing with friends and family or indulging in all by yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, blending classic sugar cookie basics with the fresh pop of strawberries to create a deliciously balanced treat. From the powdered freeze-dried strawberries adding natural color and flavor, to the creamy cream cheese in the frosting providing that perfectly smooth texture, these ingredients work together to make magic.
- Freeze-dried strawberries (3 cups): Packed with intense strawberry flavor, they create the signature taste and color when ground to powder.
- Salted butter (1 cup, room temperature): Adds richness and moisture to the cookie dough, making them tender.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough and contributes to the cookies’ crisp edges.
- Egg (1): Binds the dough and helps with structure.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons + 1 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and complements the strawberry flavor beautifully.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The base of the dough, providing structure.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps cookies rise just right, keeping them soft yet slightly puffy.
- Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
- Strawberry jam (1/3 cup): Adds moisture and a lovely strawberry burst within the cookie.
- Cream cheese (2 ounces): Brings creaminess to the frosting, making it rich but airy.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the frosting with a smooth finish.
- Hot milk (1/4 cup): Thins the frosting for easy dipping or drizzling consistency.
How to Make Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Pulverize the Freeze-Dried Strawberries
Start by grinding the freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a blender. This strawberry dust is the secret star of the recipe, delivering intense color and flavor straight into the dough and frosting, making these cookies truly unique.
Step 2: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready once your dough is mixed. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper which keeps your cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 3: Make the Cookie Dough
Cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps give your cookies a tender crumb. Beat in the egg, then gradually add the flour, baking soda, part of your strawberry powder, and salt, blending everything into a smooth dough. Lastly, fold in the strawberry jam for added juiciness and flavor.
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Roll your cookie dough into balls and space them evenly on the prepared sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, then gently tap the baking sheet to flatten the cookies slightly and pop them back in the oven for another 2 to 3 minutes. This two-step baking process creates a lovely thin but soft cookie with a deliciously chewy edge.
Step 5: Prepare the Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing
Mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, hot milk, vanilla extract, and the remaining freeze-dried strawberry powder. The result is a velvety frosting that’s fruity, subtly sweet, and perfect for enhancing the cookies without overpowering them. Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed to drizzle or dip.
Step 6: Decorate Your Cookies
Once the cookies have completely cooled, dip them into the strawberry cream cheese icing or drizzle it over the top for a pretty finish. This final touch is what makes these cookies a double strawberry delight!
How to Serve Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to up the visual and flavor game, consider sprinkling a few small freeze-dried strawberry pieces over the fresh icing or adding a dusting of edible glitter for sparkle. A light sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios also adds a subtle crunch and beautiful color contrast.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of hot tea, or a fruity smoothie. Strawberry iced tea or a light rosé wine also complement the cookie’s strawberry notes making your snack time feel extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your batch of Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe into a stunning gift by stacking them in a decorative tin or wrapping them in pastel-colored tissue paper tied with a ribbon. You could also use small cookie bags and gift them as favors at parties or bake sales for an irresistibly charming touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to retain their wonderful softness and fresh strawberry flavor. Avoid stacking them too tightly to prevent smudging the icing.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag or container. They will keep for up to 2 months frozen, and you can add the frosting after thawing for the best fresh taste.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy, warm the cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to bring back their soft texture. If you froze them without frosting, add the strawberry cream cheese icing right after reheating for a fresh, irresistible bite.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried in the cookies?
Fresh strawberries contain a lot of moisture which can drastically change the dough’s texture and baking time. Freeze-dried strawberries are preferred because they add concentrated flavor without extra moisture, keeping cookies tender but not soggy.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that’s suitable for baking. Keep in mind some blends behave differently, so you might need to adjust the amount slightly or add a binding agent like xanthan gum.
Can I prepare the icing ahead of time?
Absolutely! The strawberry cream cheese icing can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature and stir well before using, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen the consistency.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your dough is chilled before baking, especially if your kitchen is warm. Also, avoid using overly soft butter — room temperature but still slightly firm is ideal to help cookies hold their shape better.
What if I don’t want to dip the cookies in icing?
No problem! You can simply drizzle the icing over the cookies for a lighter touch, or even sandwich two cookies together with the frosting as a filling for a delightful strawberry cookie sandwich.
Final Thoughts
Making this Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe is like bringing a burst of sunshine into your kitchen. The bright flavors, the lovely tint of pink, and the irresistible texture all come together to create a treat that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat. I truly hope you give these a try and find as much joy in them as I do — trust me, they’re going to be a fast favorite for all your cookie cravings!
Print
Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Double Strawberry Sugar Cookies combine the sweet and tangy flavor of freeze-dried strawberries in both the cookie dough and the creamy strawberry icing. Soft, buttery sugar cookies are enhanced with real strawberry jam and powdered freeze-dried strawberries for an intense berry taste. Topped with a luscious cream cheese strawberry glaze, these cookies are perfect for any strawberry lover’s dessert table.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup strawberry jam
Icing
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup hot milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- remaining freeze-dried strawberry powder (from pulverized strawberries)
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberry Powder: Using a blender, pulverize freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder to be used both in the cookie dough and the icing.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dough: Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg thoroughly. Gradually add flour, baking soda, part of the strawberry powder, and salt, mixing until just combined. Finally, blend in the strawberry jam to incorporate flavor and moisture.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into evenly sized balls and arrange them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 8 minutes initially. Remove from the oven and gently tap or press the baking sheet to flatten the cookies. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 2–3 minutes until edges are set and lightly golden.
- Make Icing: In a bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, hot milk, vanilla extract, and the remaining strawberry powder. Mix until smooth. Add extra hot milk if needed to achieve a drizzleable consistency.
- Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely before dipping them into the strawberry icing or drizzling the icing over each cookie for a glossy and flavorful finish.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter to ensure smooth creaming.
- Freeze-dried strawberries can be found in specialty stores or online and add a concentrated natural strawberry flavor.
- Adjust icing thickness with milk to suit your preference for dipping or drizzling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
