Strawberry 🍓 Sugar Cookies
These Strawberry Sugar Cookies are as pretty as they are flavorful—soft, chewy, and bursting with real strawberry goodness. Made with crushed freeze-dried strawberries and optionally tinted with red gel coloring, they bake up into vibrant pink cookies with a gentle tang and sweet vanilla finish.
They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, baby showers, spring parties, or just a fun weekend bake, and they’re rolled in sugar or sprinkles for that signature crackled top and sparkle.
🌟 Why I Love This Recipe
These cookies are:
- Packed with real strawberry flavor thanks to freeze-dried berry powder
- Soft and chewy in the center with a lightly crisped edge
- Easy to customize with sprinkles, coloring, or extracts
- Naturally pink and festive, but no artificial flavor needed
They taste like a cross between a classic sugar cookie and your favorite strawberry milkshake.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp strawberry extract (optional but enhances flavor)
- ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder (about 1 oz of freeze-dried strawberries)
- ¼ tsp red gel food coloring (optional for pink hue)
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- Sugar sprinkles or additional white sugar, for rolling
⏱️ Total Time: ~30 minutes
🍪 Yield: ~16 cookies
🔁 Substitutions & Tips
- Use butter instead of oil for a richer cookie (texture will be firmer).
- No strawberry extract? Increase vanilla and add a bit of lemon zest to enhance berry flavor.
- Freeze-dried strawberries are key—they provide intense flavor without extra moisture.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make Strawberry Powder
Place freeze-dried strawberries in a blender or food processor and blend until they become a fine powder.
You can also crush them in a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin for a more rustic texture.
Set aside.
2. Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Sugar
- Egg + egg yolk
Add:
- Oil
- Vanilla extract
- Strawberry extract (if using)
- Red food coloring (optional)
Whisk until smooth and combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients
Whisk in:
- Strawberry powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Then, add:
- Flour
Use a spatula to mix until just combined. Dough will be soft. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.
4. Prep & Roll
While dough rests, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add sugar or sprinkles to a small bowl for rolling.
After resting, scoop 2-Tbsp dough balls, roll smooth, and coat in sugar.
If too sticky, let rest another 10 minutes.
Place 8 dough balls per baking sheet. Gently flatten each one slightly.
5. Bake & Cool
Bake for 8–9 minutes. Cookies will puff and crack slightly.
Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect for:
- Valentine’s Day trays
- Spring brunches
- Gift boxes
- Or just with a glass of milk
Serve with:
🧊 Storage & Freezing
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days
- Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 2 months—bake from frozen with 1 extra minute added
🍓 More Sweet Bakes You’ll Love
- Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs
- Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies
🥄 Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Sugar Cookies are sweet, simple, and full of flavor. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a bake sale, or just yourself, their soft texture and natural berry punch make them a year-round favorite.
Tried them? Tag @chefmaniac on Instagram and share your berry-pink cookie batch! And don’t forget to subscribe for more sweet bakes, cookies, and seasonal treats.
