I couldn't resist sharing my latest obsession: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Cookies! Picture this—a delicate blend of chewy cookie and sumptuous cream cheese filling, all accented by the fresh, vibrant flavor of strawberries. These delightful cookies are perfect for a sunny afternoon treat or a sweet snack with your evening tea. They take the beloved classic strawberry shortcake and transform it into a bite-sized, cookie experience that you simply can't stop at one.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Pairing of Flavors: The sweet strawberries and creamy filling create a heavenly combination that’ll have your taste buds singing.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, even novice bakers can whip up a batch of these delicious cookies without breaking a sweat.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it's a family gathering, a picnic, or simply a treat for yourself, these cookies fit the bill perfectly.
- Versatile: No more dreary afternoons! You can enjoy these cookies as they are, or jazz them up with some whipped cream for an indulgent experience.
Ingredients
To whip up these delightful Strawberry Shortcake Cookies, here’s what you’ll need:
- Cream Cheese: This will be the heart of your luscious filling, providing a creamy texture and a slight tanginess.
- Confectioners' Sugar: Ensures a smooth filling; it dissolves beautifully, allowing you to indulge in sweetness without graininess.
- Lemon Zest: A hint of sunshine—a little zing that brightens the flavor of the filling.
- Strawberries: The star of the show! Fresh strawberries, sliced and macerated, will bring bursts of juicy sweetness to the cookies.
- Granulated Sugar and Light Brown Sugar: A combination helps achieve the perfect cookie texture; granulated for spread and brown for chewiness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the necessary structure for your cookies.
- Baking Powder: This gives the cookies a slightly cakey texture, reminiscent of traditional shortcake.
- Butter: The temperature of your butter plays a vital role in how the cookies turn out: soft enough to leave an imprint.
- Egg: One egg will hold everything together and provide the right structure.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of this aromatic goodness elevates the flavor profile.
- Sparkling Sugar: For an optional dazzling final touch! Adds both sparkle and a delightful crunch.
Note: Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps to create your Strawberry Shortcake Cookies:
Prepare Your Strawberries: Start by hulking and slicing your strawberries. Toss them in a bit of sugar and lemon juice to macerate. This intensifies their flavor and removes excess moisture. Set aside for about 15-20 minutes.
Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and lemon zest. Beat until smooth and creamy. Chill in the refrigerator while you make the cookies—it'll firm up beautifully.
Mix the Cookie Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Add Strawberries: Gently fold in your macerated strawberries, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. If you'd like, sprinkle the tops with sparkling sugar for an extra touch.
Bake: Pop the cookies into your preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Cool & Fill: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, generously fill half of the cookies with the cream cheese filling, then sandwich it with the other cookie halves.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Choose Fresh Strawberries: Opt for ripe, juicy strawberries as they’ll contribute heaps of flavor to your cookies.
- Butter Temperature: Ensure your butter is at the right softness. Too hard, and it won’t cream well; too soft, and your cookies will spread too much while baking.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies—nobody wants that!
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add almond extract or swap lemon zest for orange for a different twist on the filling.
How to Serve
Enjoy your Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Cookies fresh out of the oven for the most delightful experience! They’re perfect on their own, or why not serve them alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream? A sprinkling of extra fresh strawberries on the side will not only add color but also elevate the strawberry flavor.
You can also plate them up beautifully for special occasions or just to treat yourself—after all, we all deserve some sweet moments!
Make Ahead and Storage
These cookies can be made ahead of time, making them ideal for busy schedules. Once baked, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, but I doubt they’ll last that long!
If you wish to freeze them, do so before adding the cream cheese filling. Simply place the cooled cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they’ll remain delicious for up to two months. To enjoy, just allow them to thaw at room temperature and fill them with the creamy goodness before serving.
There you have it, your delightful Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Cookies! Happy baking, and may every bite bring a smile to your face!
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Ingredients
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Cookies
- 1 cup strawberries macerated
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- optional sparkling sugar for topping
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the filling ingredients: cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and lemon zest, beating until smooth.
- Prepare strawberries by macerating them with a little lemon juice and sugar for enhanced flavor.
- In another bowl, cream together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder, then gradually add to the butter mixture until a dough forms.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets and make an indention to fill with strawberry filling before baking.
- Bake cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes. Cool and optionally top with sparkling sugar.