Indulge in the sweet and fruity flavors of our Strawberry Shortbread Heart Cookies. These delightful treats are not only delicious but also easy to make, making them perfect for any occasion from Valentine’s Day to afternoon tea.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- The combination of buttery shortbread and tangy strawberry flavors creates a perfect balance.
- With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a batch of these cookies in no time.
- These cookies are great for meal prep and can be stored for up to days in an airtight container.
Ingredient Notes:
- Salted butter: Provides richness and flavor to the shortbread dough.
- Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and a delicate crumb to the cookies.
- Freeze-dried strawberries: Give a concentrated strawberry flavor without adding moisture to the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall taste of the cookies.
- All-purpose flour: Creates the base for the shortbread dough.
- Milk: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Additional powdered sugar, milk, and freeze-dried strawberries for the glaze.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat your oven and prepare your baking sheets.
- Blend the freeze-dried strawberries into a powder with some larger bits for texture.
- Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Mix in the vanilla extract, milk, and most of the strawberry powder.
- Gradually add the flour until a smooth dough forms.
- Roll out the dough and cut out heart-shaped cookies.
- Bake until golden, then cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the glaze and drizzle it over the cooled cookies.
Helpful Tips:
- Use freeze-dried strawberries for the best texture.
- Adjust the glaze consistency to your liking.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative for a lactose-free version.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Chill the dough before rolling and cutting for easier handling.
- Use a silicone baking mat for easy clean-up.
- Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes for a fun twist.
- Add a sprinkle of sugar on top before baking for extra sparkle.
- Serve with a cup of hot tea or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat.
Serving Suggestions:
These Strawberry Shortbread Heart Cookies pair perfectly with a cup of hot tea or coffee. They also make a lovely addition to a dessert platter for parties or gatherings.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To keep the cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to days. If needed, you can reheat them in a low oven for a few minutes to refresh the flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?
Fresh strawberries will add moisture to the dough, affecting the texture of the cookies. It’s best to stick with freeze-dried strawberries for this recipe. - How can I adjust the sweetness of the glaze?
You can add more or less powdered sugar to the glaze to suit your taste preferences. - Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before baking.
Conclusion:
These Strawberry Shortbread Heart Cookies are a delightful treat that is sure to impress your friends and family. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out. Enjoy!
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Strawberry Shortbread Heart Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 25 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Shortbread Heart Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. The combination of buttery shortbread with the sweet and tangy flavor of strawberries creates a delicious cookie that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups freeze dried strawberries, measured then blended in a food processor
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, start with 1 tablespoon
Strawberry Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon freeze dried strawberries processed into bits
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Strawberry Powder: Blend freeze dried strawberries in a food processor until powdered.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Mix Ingredients: Add vanilla, milk, and most of the strawberry powder to the mixture. Gradually add flour until dough forms.
- Roll and Cut: Roll dough, cut out heart-shaped cookies, and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Make Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and strawberry bits for the glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies and allow to set before serving.
Notes
- Use freeze dried strawberries for the best texture.
- Adjust glaze consistency carefully for desired thickness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Substitute milk with dairy-free milk for lactose-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg