STRAWBERRY SUGAR COOKIES with SPARKLING STRAWBERRY SUGAR
Strawberry Sugar Cookies with Sparkling Strawberry Sugar are a soft, flavorful twist on a classic, rolled in fruity pink sugar for a dazzling crunch. Naturally flavored and perfect for any celebration, they combine old-fashioned comfort with fresh, fun flair.
Ingredients
Strawberry Sugar Cookies:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups 375g all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups 300g granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons 36g freeze-dried strawberry powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon natural strawberry extract such as Amoretti Artisan Natural Wild Strawberry or Cooks
- ½ teaspoon red gel food coloring
Sparkling Strawberry Sugar:
- ½ cup white or red sanding sugar sparkling sugar
- 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberry powder
Instructions
How I Make These:
- Start by bringing the butter and eggs to room temperature—remove them from the refrigerator ahead of time.
- To Prepare the Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder: Place the freeze-dried strawberries in a high-speed blender or spice grinder and blend until they form a fine powder. Combine this powder with the granulated sugar and mix thoroughly. Store the mixture in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
- To Make the Sparkling Strawberry Sugar: Stir together freeze-dried strawberry powder and sparkling sugar, using a ratio of 2 tablespoons of strawberry powder for every ½ cup of sanding sugar. Store this mixture in an airtight container in a cool, dry location until needed.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- To Make the Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this should take about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract, strawberry extract, and red gel food coloring, blending until the mixture is smooth and evenly colored.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and strawberry powder until thoroughly combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and blend on low speed just until the dough comes together—be careful not to overmix to ensure your cookies stay soft and tender.
- Cover and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
- Place the prepared Sparkling Strawberry Sugar in a small bowl. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out 30 evenly sized dough balls. Roll each ball between your palms until smooth, then roll them in the sparkling strawberry sugar until they are completely coated. Arrange the coated cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are just beginning to set. Remove the pans from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
Use Softened Butter: For the best texture and flavor, be sure to use high-quality unsalted butter that’s been softened to room temperature before baking. This helps create a smooth, creamy dough and ensures a tender cookie. Avoid Overmixing: The key to rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies is to mix the dough gently. Once the flour is added, blend only until just combined—overmixing can lead to dense, tough cookies. Where to Find Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Freeze-dried strawberries are available at stores like Target and Trader Joe’s, which typically carry a wide variety of dried fruits. If they’re not available in your area, you can easily order them online from major retailers. About Food Coloring: For vibrant color without altering the dough's texture, opt for gel or powdered food coloring instead of traditional liquid dyes. These concentrated forms require less product and blend more evenly into the dough. Bakery-Style Cookie Finish: To achieve that classic bakery-style look, try sprinkling extra sparkling sugar on the cookies immediately after removing them from the oven. The sugar will settle into the crackled tops as the cookies cool, creating a beautiful finish. Keeping Cookies Soft: These cookies stay fresh and soft for several days if stored properly. Place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week to extend freshness. Freezing Instructions: These cookies freeze beautifully. Once baked and completely cooled, store them in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. If stacking, layer parchment paper between each row of cookies to prevent them from sticking or freezing together. Perfect for Gifting or Parties: For party favors or gifts, pack individual cookies in self-sealing clear cellophane bags. The “Pack It Chic” brand is a favorite for this purpose. Just be sure your cookies are fully cooled before packaging to avoid condensation.
Use Softened Butter: For the best texture and flavor, be sure to use high-quality unsalted butter that’s been softened to room temperature before baking. This helps create a smooth, creamy dough and ensures a tender cookie. Avoid Overmixing: The key to rich, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies is to mix the dough gently. Once the flour is added, blend only until just combined—overmixing can lead to dense, tough cookies. Where to Find Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Freeze-dried strawberries are available at stores like Target and Trader Joe’s, which typically carry a wide variety of dried fruits. If they’re not available in your area, you can easily order them online from major retailers. About Food Coloring: For vibrant color without altering the dough's texture, opt for gel or powdered food coloring instead of traditional liquid dyes. These concentrated forms require less product and blend more evenly into the dough. Bakery-Style Cookie Finish: To achieve that classic bakery-style look, try sprinkling extra sparkling sugar on the cookies immediately after removing them from the oven. The sugar will settle into the crackled tops as the cookies cool, creating a beautiful finish. Keeping Cookies Soft: These cookies stay fresh and soft for several days if stored properly. Place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week to extend freshness. Freezing Instructions: These cookies freeze beautifully. Once baked and completely cooled, store them in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. If stacking, layer parchment paper between each row of cookies to prevent them from sticking or freezing together. Perfect for Gifting or Parties: For party favors or gifts, pack individual cookies in self-sealing clear cellophane bags. The “Pack It Chic” brand is a favorite for this purpose. Just be sure your cookies are fully cooled before packaging to avoid condensation.