Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
These Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies combine a tender, buttery shortbread base with the vibrant flavor of freeze-dried strawberries. Easy to make with simple pantry staples, they are ideal for festive occasions, gifts, or everyday treats. The charming heart shape adds a whimsical touch to these sweet, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that perfectly balance fruity freshness with classic crumbly texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) Granulated Sugar
- 2 cups (240g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Flavoring
- 2 tablespoons Freeze-Dried Strawberries, crushed into powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Beat softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together in a bowl until the mixture is creamy and smooth, creating the light, buttery base for the cookies.
- Add Flavorings and Dry Ingredients: Stir in vanilla extract and salt. Then gently mix in the all-purpose flour and finely crushed freeze-dried strawberry powder until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This step is crucial to help the cookies hold their shape and enhance flavor during baking.
- Roll and Cut into Hearts: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake and Cool: Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Keep butter cold to maintain the crumbly texture classic to shortbread.
- Do not overwork the dough to prevent tough cookies.
- Roll dough evenly to ensure consistent baking.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Cool cookies completely before handling or decorating to avoid breakage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Strawberry shortbread cookies, heart-shaped cookies, strawberry cookies, shortbread recipe, holiday cookies