Description
Delight in these charming Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies, a perfect blend of buttery richness and subtle strawberry flavor from crushed freeze-dried strawberries. These tender, crumbly cookies are ideal for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, with an optional drizzle of white chocolate or royal icing for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries (finely crushed)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed)
Optional Decoration
- 1/2 cup white chocolate or royal icing for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture to form a soft dough. If the dough is too crumbly, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk until it comes together smoothly.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disk, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough disks for 30 minutes to firm up, which will make rolling easier and maintain the shape of the cookies during baking.
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets: Set the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cut out heart shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies and transfer them onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies begin to turn a light golden color, indicating they are perfectly baked but still tender inside.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breaking and preserves their delicate texture.
- Optional decoration: Once completely cooled, drizzle melted white chocolate or pipe royal icing over the cookies to add a festive and elegant touch. Allow the decoration to set before storing or serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- For enhanced strawberry flavor, sandwich two cookies with strawberry jam or glaze for a delightful twist.
- These cookies are especially perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any romantic celebration.
