Strawberry Cookies Sparkling Sugar

Category: Indulgent Desserts for Sweet Endings

These soft strawberry cookies are made with real strawberry puree for authentic fruit flavor, coated in a sparkling pink sugar for a gentle crunch. The dough is simple to prepare, using standard pantry ingredients plus freeze-dried strawberries to keep the coating vibrant without moisture issues. Each cookie bakes up tender with lightly golden edges and a soft, pale pink interior, ideal for gifting, parties, or brightening your table. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain their fresh, soft texture, adding a slice of bread inside the container if needed to preserve optimal humidity and softness for days.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Created By Sarah
Last updated on Sun, 13 Jul 2025 10:58:37 GMT
A plate of heart shaped cookies. Save
A plate of heart shaped cookies. | sarahmeal.com

This soft strawberry cookie brings bright fruit flavor wrapped in a sparkly pink sugar crunch perfect for birthdays baby showers or any afternoon that needs something sweet

These were a hit the first time I made them for a spring brunch and now they are my go to when I need a colorful tray treat

Ingredients

  • all purpose flour: provides structure to keep cookies soft but sturdy sift for best texture
  • baking powder: helps the cookies puff gently
  • baking soda: ensures even browning
  • salt: balances sweetness and brightens flavor
  • unsalted butter: for rich taste and tender crumb use high quality butter for best results
  • granulated sugar: keeps cookies sweet and crisp edges
  • large egg: binds ingredients and adds moisture
  • vanilla extract: enhances the strawberry flavor
  • strawberry puree: brings real fruit taste use ripe fresh berries for best results
  • granulated sugar: for the sparkling sugar coating
  • freeze dried strawberries: add concentrated berry flavor to the coating without moisture

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat and Prepare:
preheat your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking
Mix Dry Ingredients:
in a medium bowl whisk together flour baking powder baking soda and salt until no lumps remain set aside
Cream Butter and Sugar:
use an electric mixer to cream softened butter with granulated sugar on medium high speed for two to three minutes until pale and fluffy this builds air for a soft texture
Incorporate Egg and Flavorings:
add the egg and mix until fully blended then add vanilla extract and strawberry puree mixing until evenly pink and smooth
Combine with Dry Ingredients:
add the flour mixture in two to three batches mixing gently each time stop as soon as flour is combined to keep cookies tender
Make Sparkling Sugar:
crush freeze dried strawberries and mix with granulated sugar using a rolling pin or spice grinder to ensure fine even pieces
Shape and Coat:
scoop dough into three centimeter balls and roll each in the strawberry sugar coating until completely covered
Arrange and Flatten:
place coated dough balls on prepared baking sheet leaving five centimeters between each lightly flatten each ball with your palm or the bottom of a glass
Bake:
bake for ten to twelve minutes until edges are lightly golden and tops show cracks while centers stay soft avoid overbaking
Cool and Serve:
let cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool fully
A plate of heart shaped cookies. Save
A plate of heart shaped cookies. | sarahmeal.com

My favorite part is the strawberry sugar coating which keeps its color and crunch without making the cookies soggy I remember making these for my daughter’s birthday tea party and watching her light up when she saw the pink cookies on the table

Storage Tips

store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness and the crisp sugar coating

Ingredient Substitutions

you can use frozen strawberries for the puree but thaw and drain well before blending to avoid excess moisture

Serving Suggestions

pair with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert plate

A plate of heart-shaped cookies. Save
A plate of heart-shaped cookies. | sarahmeal.com

Cultural Context

strawberry cookies are a lovely addition to spring and summer gatherings reflecting seasonal fruit and a touch of celebration on any table

Common Recipe Questions

→ How do I keep the cookies soft?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and softness without becoming soggy.

→ Can I use frozen strawberries for the puree?

Yes, thaw frozen strawberries completely and drain excess liquid before pureeing to avoid overly wet dough.

→ Why use freeze-dried strawberries for coating?

Freeze-dried strawberries add bright flavor and color without adding moisture that would dissolve the sugar coating.

→ How do I prevent overbaking these cookies?

Remove the cookies when edges are lightly golden and centers are still soft; they will continue to set while cooling.

→ What makes these cookies good for special occasions?

The natural pink color and sparkling sugar coating make them visually appealing while offering a fresh strawberry flavor perfect for gifting and gatherings.

Strawberry Cookies Sparkling Sugar

Soft strawberry cookies with pink sugar crunch, bright flavor, and tender texture for special moments.

Preparation Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
12 minutes
Total Duration
32 minutes
Created By: Sarah

Recipe Category: Desserts

Level of Difficulty: Simple

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yield: 24 Portion Size (Approximately 24 cookies)

Diet Preferences: Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

→ Cookie Dough

Ingredient 01 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (310g)
Ingredient 02 1 teaspoon baking powder
Ingredient 03 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Ingredient 04 1/4 teaspoon salt
Ingredient 05 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (225g)
Ingredient 06 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300g)
Ingredient 07 1 large egg
Ingredient 08 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredient 09 1/2 cup strawberry puree (120ml)

→ Sparkling Sugar Coating

Ingredient 10 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
Ingredient 11 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed (10g)

How to Make It

Instruction 01

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even baking and to prevent sticking.

Instruction 02

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined and free of lumps. Set aside.

Instruction 03

Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar at medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale.

Instruction 04

Beat in the egg until fully incorporated, then mix in vanilla extract and strawberry puree until smooth and evenly pink.

Instruction 05

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 2-3 additions, mixing gently after each addition until just combined to avoid tough cookies.

Instruction 06

In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar with crushed freeze-dried strawberries, crushing the berries using a rolling pin in a sealed bag or a spice grinder.

Instruction 07

Using a cookie scoop, portion dough into 3cm balls. Roll each ball in the strawberry sugar until completely coated.

Instruction 08

Place sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 5cm apart. Lightly flatten each with your palm or the bottom of a glass.

Instruction 09

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers remain soft with surface cracks. Let cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Additional Tips

  1. Use ripe, sweet strawberries for puree; thaw and drain frozen berries fully before pureeing for best flavor and texture.
  2. If dough becomes sticky due to the strawberry puree, refrigerate for 30 minutes or add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to adjust consistency.
  3. Freeze-dried strawberries provide concentrated flavor and prevent sugar dissolution in the coating.
  4. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain humidity and softness.

Essential Tools

  • Electric mixer
  • Baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cookie scoop
  • Rolling pin or spice grinder
  • Wire rack

Allergy Details

Always review ingredient labels for allergens, and consult a professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten)
  • Contains egg
  • Contains dairy (butter)

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving)

These nutritional details are for informational purposes and shouldn't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 165
  • Fat Content: 8 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 22 grams
  • Protein Content: 2 grams