There’s something about Valentine’s Day that calls for sweets that are as charming as they are delicious. These Valentine Strawberry Cookies check all the boxes: soft, buttery, and infused with the delicate sweetness of strawberries. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply indulging, these cookies are the ultimate way to spread a little love. Picture this: bite-sized delights with a hint of strawberry and a festive pink hue. Trust me, these are as fun to make as they are to eat! Let’s make something special for the ones you adore—or just for yourself (because self-love counts, too!).
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
These cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a celebration of love and flavor. Here’s why they’re irresistible:
Pretty in Pink
Their soft pink color is perfect for Valentine’s Day and adds a cheerful touch to any dessert table.
Easy to Make
No complicated steps or fancy techniques here. Just simple, straightforward baking that even beginners can enjoy.
Customizable
Add sprinkles, drizzle with chocolate, or even use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make these your own.
Packed with Flavor
The strawberry flavor is subtle but divine, making these cookies a sweet, fruity treat.
Ingredients in Valentine Strawberry Cookies
Here’s what makes these cookies so special:
Unsalted Butter: The foundation for soft, buttery cookies. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and gives them a tender crumb.
Strawberry Powder: The secret to the fruity flavor! Freeze-dried strawberries ground into a fine powder do the trick.
Egg Yolk: Adds richness and binds the dough together.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, sweet undertone.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates the perfect cookie structure—light and tender.
Cornstarch: Ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Pink Gel Food Coloring (optional): For an extra festive touch, use food coloring to enhance the pink hue.
Instructions
Let’s bake these delightful cookies step by step:
Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This creates the base for perfectly soft cookies.
Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Sift together the all-purpose flour, strawberry powder, and cornstarch. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Add pink gel food coloring if desired.
Shape the Dough
Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with your palm or the back of a spoon.
Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and tender.
Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Decorate (Optional)
Drizzle with white chocolate or add sprinkles while the cookies are still warm for a festive finish.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24 cookies
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
How to Serve Valentine Strawberry Cookies
These cookies are delightful on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:
Paired with Tea or Coffee: A warm cup of tea or coffee is the perfect companion for these cookies.
As a Gift: Wrap them in a cute box or bag with a ribbon for a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift.
Dessert Platter: Add them to a dessert platter alongside chocolates, macarons, and other festive treats.
Ice Cream Sandwiches: Use two cookies to sandwich a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Additional Tips
Use High-Quality Butter
The flavor of the butter really shines in these cookies, so opt for high-quality unsalted butter.
Grind the Strawberry Powder Well
Make sure the freeze-dried strawberries are ground into a fine powder for even flavor distribution.
Store Properly
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freeze the Dough
Want to bake later? Roll the dough into balls, freeze them, and bake straight from the freezer—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?
A1: Freeze-dried strawberries work best for flavor and texture. Fresh strawberries contain too much moisture and may alter the dough.
Q2: Can I skip the food coloring?
A2: Absolutely! The cookies will still have a light pink hue from the strawberry powder.
Q3: Can I make these gluten-free?
A3: Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Q4: How do I make these dairy-free?
A4: Use a plant-based butter substitute.
Q5: Can I use other freeze-dried fruits?
A5: Yes! Try raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor profile.
Q6: Can I double the recipe?
A6: Definitely! Just make sure to bake in batches to avoid overcrowding the oven.
Q7: What’s the best way to store leftovers?
A7: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Q8: Can I add chocolate chips?
A8: Yes! White or dark chocolate chips would be a delicious addition.
Q9: How do I know when the cookies are done?
A9: The edges should be set but not browned, and the center will look slightly soft.
Q10: Can I use salted butter?
A10: Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe.
In Conclusion
These Valentine Strawberry Cookies are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate love in all its forms. With their delicate strawberry flavor and charming pink hue, they’re sure to steal hearts. Bake a batch, share the love, and enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Valentine Strawberry Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate love with these delightful Valentine Strawberry Cookies! Buttery, soft, and bursting with fresh strawberries, these cookies are the perfect treat to sweeten any special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Gently fold in the sliced strawberries.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a sweeter presentation, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
- Ensure the strawberries are well-drained to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg