If you’re looking for a truly delightful treat that combines the best of fruity freshness and decadent chocolate, let me introduce you to the Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together a soft, buttery dough infused with the natural tang of freeze-dried strawberries, hugging a molten chocolate center that melts beautifully as you bite in. The hint of strawberry flavor, a crackled sugary exterior, and the surprise of rich chocolate inside make them a standout dessert that’s sure to become a favorite snack or show-stopping party gift. I promise, once you try this recipe, it will quickly earn a place in your baking rotation for all occasions!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a crucial part — from the creamy butter creating tender texture to the freeze-dried strawberries giving that unique natural berry burst both in flavor and color.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides rich flavor and a tender crumb to the cookies.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create the classic crackled cookie top.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binder to hold the dough together and adds moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and deepens flavor complexity.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle nutty undertone to complement the strawberry.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Gives the cookies gentle rise and light texture.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy base of the cookie, providing structure.
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed: Packs intense strawberry flavor without adding moisture.
- 20-24 chocolate truffles or chocolate kisses, unwrapped: The luscious surprise center that melts delightfully when baked.
- Additional sugar for rolling: Creates a sparkling, textured exterior that crisps up beautifully.
How to Make Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This first step sets you up for perfect cookies from start to finish.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This aeration is key for light, tender cookies that melt in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. The extracts lift the flavors and add warmth to the dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the salt, baking powder, all-purpose flour, and finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries. The careful mix ensures an even distribution of flavor and leavening throughout the dough.
Step 5: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft cookie dough forms. The dough should be just the right consistency to hold the chocolaty center snugly.
Step 6: Stuff the Cookies
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it in your hand. Place one unwrapped chocolate truffle or kiss in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around it, sealing all edges completely to avoid chocolate leaking.
Step 7: Roll in Sugar and Bake
Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar for a sparkling, crackled finish. Place on the prepared baking sheet spaced evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just set and tops show slight cracks.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time allows the chocolate center to set up perfectly so every bite delivers gooey surprise without mess.
How to Serve Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra crushed freeze-dried strawberry powder dusted over the top just before serving for an added burst of color and strawberry aroma. You could also drizzle melted white chocolate for a decorative, elegant flair.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple dessert plate. A fresh strawberry salad or a glass of cold milk helps balance the rich chocolate and buttery cookie beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies with a piece of parchment in between for a beautiful gift box arrangement. Or create a cookie platter garnished with edible flowers and fresh strawberry halves for festive occasions that wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Proper storage keeps the sugar coating crisp and the centers soft and melty.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls individually on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This trick makes spontaneous cookie cravings easy to satisfy!
Reheating
Warm cookies gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes to recapture that fresh-baked softness and gooey chocolate center. Avoid overheating or they may dry out.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?
Fresh strawberries introduce extra moisture that could alter the dough’s texture and baking time, so freeze-dried strawberries are preferred for their concentrated flavor without added liquid.
What type of chocolate works best inside these cookies?
Chocolate truffles or chocolate kisses are ideal because they offer a smooth, creamy center that melts easily while baking. You can experiment with dark, milk, or even flavored chocolates to suit your taste.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend one-to-one. Just ensure your baking powder is gluten-free too, to keep the texture and rise just right.
How do I prevent the chocolate from leaking during baking?
Make sure to wrap the dough fully around each chocolate piece, sealing edges thoroughly. Chilling dough balls before baking can also help minimize leakage.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To make them vegan, swap butter for a plant-based margarine, use a flax or chia egg substitute, and choose vegan chocolate. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious!
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend enough giving this Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe a try. It’s one of those special sweet treats that feels both familiar and fancy at the same time, perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply indulging yourself on a cozy day. The combination of strawberry and chocolate is a classic for a reason, and these cookies elevate it to a whole new level of yum. I hope you enjoy baking and eating them as much as I do!
Print
Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these luscious Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies featuring a tender strawberry-infused dough encasing a gooey chocolate center. Perfectly soft with a crackled top and a sweet sugar coating, these cookies offer a delicious twist on classic sugar cookies, ideal for any occasion or a special treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed
- Additional sugar for rolling
Filling
- 20–24 chocolate truffles or chocolate kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a tender cookie base.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until all ingredients are fully combined to build flavor and moisture in the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt, baking powder, all-purpose flour, and finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries to infuse the dough with strawberry flavor and structure.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms, ensuring an even distribution of the strawberry bits.
- Form Cookies: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and flatten it in your hand. Place one chocolate truffle or kiss in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around the chocolate, sealing the edges completely to encase the filling.
- Roll in Sugar: Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to give the cookies a sweet, crackled finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet spaced apart, then bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just set and the tops show slight cracks indicating doneness.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, so they hold their shape and texture.
Notes
- Substitute chocolate centers with caramel candies or nut butter cups for creative variations.
- Add a few drops of strawberry extract to the dough for an even stronger strawberry flavor.
- Ensure dough is not too warm when wrapping around chocolate to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
