Description

These Easy Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are delightfully sweet, buttery treats infused with the natural flavor of freeze-dried strawberries. The cookies have a tender, crumbly texture and a charming pink hue, topped with a smooth, sweet glaze that adds a professional touch. Perfect for tea time, celebrations, or a charming homemade gift.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

1 ounce freeze-dried strawberries
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream together softened butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
Add Flour: Gradually add all-purpose flour to the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful to avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture.
Incorporate Strawberry Powder: Crush freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder. Gently fold the strawberry powder into the cookie dough until evenly distributed, which gives the dough a lovely pink hue and strawberry flavor.
Shape the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently. Shape the dough into a log or roll it out to 1/2 inch thickness. If using the log method, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to firm it up for easier slicing.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). If using the log method, slice it into 1/2-inch rounds. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges just begin to turn golden.
Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely which prevents sogginess.
Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed to create a drizzle-able glaze.
Glaze the Cookies: Drizzle or dip the cooled cookies in the prepared glaze. Allow the glaze to set completely before serving or storing to ensure a neat finish.

Notes

Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
Use freeze-dried strawberries for intense strawberry flavor without adding extra moisture.
Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and crumbly.
Refrigerating the dough log helps achieve uniform slices and better shape retention during baking.
The glaze can be tinted with a few drops of food coloring if a more vibrant pink is desired.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: strawberry shortbread cookies, easy cookies, shortbread recipe, strawberry glaze cookies, sweet shortbread