Two Simple Ways to Add Strawberry Flavor

You have options when it comes to infusing these cookies with strawberry flavor:

1. Strawberry-Flavored Instant Pudding Mix: Adds moisture and a concentrated, sweet strawberry taste. It also helps soften the dough slightly for easier shaping and a more tender crumb.

2. Crushed Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Offers a more natural, tart-sweet flavor and a beautiful speckled appearance. Use a food processor or spice grinder to pulverize them into a fine powder.

Both methods work well, so the choice depends on what’s in your pantry—or whether you want a more natural or nostalgic flavor profile.

The Texture: Buttery, Light, and Crisp

Thanks to the high butter content and use of powdered sugar, these cookies have that signature shortbread-like crumble that snaps gently between your fingers but melts quickly on the tongue. The absence of eggs makes the texture slightly more delicate, while the flour provides the perfect amount of structure.

They bake up golden around the edges with a soft pink center, especially if you add a touch of food coloring to enhance their visual appeal.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Strawberry Butter Cookies are as versatile as they are beautiful. Serve them:

• At afternoon tea, alongside lemon curd or jam

• In cookie boxes for Christmas, Easter, or Valentine’s Day

• At birthdays, baby showers, or brunches

• As a base for sandwich cookies with buttercream or ganache

Decorated with a white chocolate drizzle, royal icing, or sprinkles, they transform into a show-stopping centerpiece for any dessert table.

How to Shape and Bake for Best Results

These cookies are easy to shape by hand—simply roll the dough into 1-inch balls and gently flatten with a fork, glass bottom, or your fingertips. Chilling the dough isn’t strictly necessary, but if your kitchen is warm or your dough feels too soft, a 15–20 minute chill will help the cookies hold their shape better.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—when the edges are just starting to turn golden, they’re done. Don’t overbake, as the goal is a soft, tender cookie with a delicate crumb.

Decorating Ideas to Elevate Your Cookies

You can keep these cookies simple, or dress them up with:

• White chocolate drizzle: Melted and piped or spooned over the tops once cooled

• Royal icing: For more decorative, gift-worthy designs

• Sprinkles or sanding sugar: Pressed into the tops before baking or added after glazing

• Strawberry glaze: Powdered sugar mixed with a little strawberry juice or milk

A drizzle of white chocolate not only adds sweetness and contrast but also enhances the berry flavor, making each cookie taste like a strawberry shortcake in bite-sized form.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These cookies keep well and are ideal for make-ahead baking:

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Freezer: Freeze the shaped dough balls or fully baked cookies in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

• Refresh: If frozen, let baked cookies thaw at room temp, or briefly warm in a low oven for a “freshly baked” feel.

You can also make the dough up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate tightly wrapped until ready to bake.

Nutrition Snapshot (Per Cookie – Makes ~24 Cookies)

• Calories: ~120

• Fat: ~7g

• Carbohydrates: ~13g

• Sugar: ~5g

• Protein: ~1g

• Sodium: ~40mg

They’re sweet but not overly indulgent—light enough for an everyday treat and fancy enough for a special event.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

• Easy to make: Simple ingredients, no fancy tools required.

• Beautiful color: Naturally pink or pastel with a bit of food coloring.

• Delicious flavor: Fruity, buttery, and lightly sweet with a crisp bite.

• Versatile: Ideal for holidays, gifts, or casual snacking.

• Customizable: Use pudding mix or freeze-dried strawberries, decorate or keep plain.

Conclusion

Strawberry Butter Cookies are a charming and fruity update to the traditional butter cookie, offering the same melt-in-your-mouth texture with a burst of berry sweetness in every bite. Light, crisp, and buttery with a delicate strawberry aroma, these cookies are not only delicious—they’re also stunning on the plate. Their lovely pink hue and soft crumb make them ideal for tea parties, bridal showers, Valentine’s Day treats, or simply to brighten up a cookie jar any day of the year. Best of all, these cookies are incredibly easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, and they come together in under an hour from start to finish.

Strawberry Butter Cookies are a charming, flavor-packed addition to any baker’s repertoire. With their delicate pink hue, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and sweet berry flavor, they strike the perfect balance between elegance and simplicity. Whether enjoyed plain or dressed up with icing, these cookies are a delightful way to bring a little joy and color to your day. Bake a batch and watch them disappear—because they’re as pretty as they are irresistible.