These Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are buttery, delicious, and packed with intense strawberry flavor thanks to freeze-dried strawberries. The cookies have a perfectly crisp texture and are topped with a sweet strawberry glaze. They’re an easy treat to make and are perfect for special occasions like Mother’s Day, or just whenever you’re craving something sweet. The freeze-dried strawberries give these shortbread cookies a fresh, fruity punch, elevating the classic cookie to a new level of deliciousness.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Cookies

• 11 ¼ ounces (320g) unbleached all-purpose flour

• ¾ ounce (21g) freeze-dried strawberries

• 8 ounces (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 4 ounces (114g) granulated sugar

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Glaze

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar

• ½ ounce (14g) freeze-dried strawberries

• 3-5 tablespoons whole milk

Directions

1. Prepare the Strawberry Flour Mixture:

   • Process the freeze-dried strawberries and a portion of the flour in a mini food processor until finely ground.

   • Add this mixture to the rest of the flour and whisk to combine.

2. Make the Cookie Dough:

   • In a stand mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt on medium speed until smooth and creamy.

   • Add the strawberry-flour mixture to the bowl and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. The dough should form a cohesive ball.

3. Roll and Cut the Dough:

   • Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ½-inch thick.

   • Use a cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes.

   • Prick each cookie with a fork to allow steam to escape while baking.

4. Chill the Dough:

   • Chill the cut-out dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to ensure they hold their shape during baking.

5. Bake the Cookies:

   • Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   • Place the chilled cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 20-23 minutes, or until they are just barely golden on the bottom.

   • Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Make the Glaze:

   • In a food processor, pulse the freeze-dried strawberries and powdered sugar until finely ground.

   • Add milk, a little at a time, to achieve a smooth, pourable glaze.

   • Once the cookies are fully cooled, dip the top of each cookie into the glaze, letting any excess drip off.

   • Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 160

• Carbohydrates: 21g

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 8g

  • Saturated Fat: 5g

• Sodium: 50mg

• Potassium: 28mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 10g

• Vitamin A: 236 IU

• Vitamin C: 8mg

• Calcium: 4mg

• Iron: 1mg

The Appeal of Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are loved for their simple ingredients and classic flavor. They are known for their buttery, rich texture, which is achieved by using a higher ratio of butter to flour compared to most other cookies. The traditional Scottish treat has been enjoyed for centuries, with many variations adapting the basic recipe. While shortbread cookies are typically made with just three ingredients—flour, butter, and sugar—this recipe adds a creative spin with the inclusion of freeze-dried strawberries and a strawberry glaze, making it a perfect dessert for those who appreciate the classics with a modern twist.

Shortbread’s appeal lies in its simplicity. The lack of leavening agents, such as baking soda or baking powder, results in a dense, crumbly texture that is slightly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. This texture pairs perfectly with the fruity flavor from the freeze-dried strawberries, allowing the flavor to shine through without being overpowering.

The Role of Freeze-Dried Strawberries

One of the key ingredients in this recipe is freeze-dried strawberries. These strawberries provide a concentrated burst of flavor, allowing the cookies to carry a strong strawberry profile without the excess moisture that fresh strawberries might introduce. Freeze-dried strawberries are made by removing the moisture from fresh fruit, which preserves the natural flavor and nutrients while leaving behind a crisp, crumbly texture.

When incorporated into the dough, the freeze-dried strawberries add a fruity note that balances the richness of the butter and sugar in the shortbread. Not only do they contribute to the flavor, but they also give the cookies a lovely pinkish color, making them visually appealing. The freeze-drying process intensifies the sweetness and tartness of the strawberries, creating a perfect balance when combined with the other ingredients in the cookie dough.

Additionally, freeze-dried strawberries are a practical option for baking, as they don’t add extra moisture to the dough. This ensures the cookies maintain their crisp and delicate texture, which is the hallmark of a good shortbread cookie. Freeze-dried strawberries also have a long shelf life, making them a convenient ingredient to keep on hand for when you need to add a fruity flair to your baking.

Preparing the Cookie Dough

The process of making the cookie dough for strawberry shortbread cookies begins by incorporating the freeze-dried strawberries into the flour. The strawberries are processed into a fine powder, which is then mixed with the flour to ensure even distribution of the strawberry flavor. This step is crucial for achieving a consistent flavor in every bite.

Once the dry ingredients are prepared, the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract are beaten together to form a smooth, creamy mixture. This is the foundation of the cookie dough, giving the cookies their rich, buttery texture. The strawberry-flour mixture is then slowly added to the wet ingredients, and the dough is mixed until it forms a cohesive ball.

It’s important to ensure that the dough doesn’t become overworked. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, which is the last thing you want in a shortbread. The goal is to create a dough that is firm enough to hold its shape but still tender when baked. Once the dough is formed, it is rolled out and cut into shapes, ready to be baked.

Rolling, Cutting, and Chilling the Dough

Rolling the dough to the right thickness is key to achieving the perfect shortbread cookie. The dough is rolled to about half an inch thick, which allows for a crisp, yet tender, texture when baked. Once rolled out, cookie cutters are used to cut the dough into shapes. You can use any shape you like, from simple rounds to festive heart shapes for special occasions.

An important step in this process is pricking the cookies with a fork. This allows steam to escape while baking and helps maintain the crisp texture of the shortbread. After the cookies are shaped, they are chilled in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and prevents them from spreading too much in the oven. This step also ensures that the butter in the dough remains firm, which contributes to the crisp texture of the finished cookies.

Baking the Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

Baking the shortbread cookies requires a low and slow approach to ensure they bake evenly and develop a golden bottom while maintaining their delicate structure. The cookies are baked at 300°F (150°C) for 20-23 minutes, or until they are just beginning to turn golden at the edges. Because the dough contains a significant amount of butter, the cookies will spread slightly as they bake, forming a slightly crisp exterior and a tender interior.

Once the cookies are done, they are allowed to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before being transferred to a wire rack. This cooling time helps the cookies firm up, making them easier to handle without breaking. It’s essential to allow the cookies to cool completely before adding the glaze so that the glaze doesn’t melt into the warm cookies.

The Strawberry Glaze: A Sweet, Fruity Finish

The glaze for these strawberry shortbread cookies is the perfect way to elevate the flavor profile. The glaze is made by combining powdered sugar and freeze-dried strawberries, which are ground together to create a smooth, pink mixture. The glaze is then thinned with a small amount of milk to achieve a pourable consistency.

Once the cookies have cooled, the glaze is carefully drizzled over the top of each cookie. This glaze adds a glossy, sweet finish to the cookies, making them visually appealing and providing an extra burst of strawberry flavor. The combination of the buttery shortbread and the sweet, fruity glaze is what makes these cookies so irresistible. The glaze sets quickly, creating a smooth, sweet topping that contrasts with the crisp texture of the cookies.

Serving and Enjoying Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

These strawberry shortbread cookies are perfect for serving at a variety of occasions. They make an excellent addition to any tea party or brunch, offering a delicate, flavorful treat that pairs beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee. They are also a wonderful dessert for holidays and special events, especially when decorated with heart shapes or other festive cookie cutters.

Because of their light, crisp texture and the sweetness of the glaze, these cookies are also ideal for enjoying as an afternoon snack or a light dessert. Their beautiful pink color makes them visually appealing, and their burst of strawberry flavor is refreshing and satisfying.

Customizing the Recipe

While the recipe for these strawberry shortbread cookies is already delicious, there are several ways to customize them. For example, you could add other freeze-dried fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, to the dough to create a mixed berry shortbread. Alternatively, you could experiment with different glazes, such as a lemon glaze or even a simple sugar glaze, to complement the strawberry flavor.

For those who prefer a more intense strawberry flavor, you could increase the amount of freeze-dried strawberries in the dough or glaze. You could also incorporate chopped fresh strawberries into the dough, though this might affect the texture slightly due to the added moisture.

Conclusion

Strawberry shortbread cookies are a timeless treat that combines the rich, buttery texture of shortbread with the fresh, fruity flavor of strawberries. The use of freeze-dried strawberries enhances the flavor and adds a beautiful color, while the sweet strawberry glaze provides a perfect finishing touch. These cookies are ideal for any occasion, from casual afternoons to special celebrations. Their simple preparation and versatile flavor make them a go-to recipe for anyone craving a sweet, buttery dessert. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of tea, at a gathering, or as a special gift, these strawberry shortbread cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.