Description
Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies offer a perfect balance of buttery richness and fresh strawberry sweetness. These tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are ideal for celebrations, gifting, or simply enjoying a delicious homemade treat. Made with simple pantry ingredients and fresh strawberries, they provide a classic crumbly texture enhanced with natural fruity flavor and a charming heart shape.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for allergy-friendly option)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (use dairy-free butter for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped or pureed (adjust moisture as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Strawberry Mixture: Wash and finely chop fresh strawberries or blend them into a smooth puree. Remove excess moisture by gently pressing with a paper towel to prevent soggy dough.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat room-temperature unsalted butter with powdered sugar until light and fluffy, which helps create the tender crumb of perfect shortbread.
- Incorporate Flavorings and Flour: Add vanilla extract and salt to the butter mixture, then gradually sift in the all-purpose flour. Mix gently until a smooth dough starts forming, being careful not to overwork it.
- Fold in the Strawberries: Gently fold the prepared strawberries into the dough, ensuring their flavor is evenly distributed without making the dough too wet or sticky.
- Roll Out and Cut the Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, press out cookies and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for even baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for 18-22 minutes or until the edges turn a delicate golden color, signaling readiness without drying them out.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before moving or decorating to maintain their shape and texture.
Notes
- Chill the dough before rolling to make it easier to handle and prevent sticking.
- Use fresh strawberries for best flavor and color, adjusting moisture carefully.
- Keep an eye on the cookies during baking to avoid overbaking, which leads to dryness.
- Roll dough evenly for uniform baking and well-defined heart shapes.
- Add a tiny drop of natural red food coloring to enhance the strawberry hue if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: heart-shaped cookies, strawberry shortbread, shortbread cookies, fruity cookies, gluten-free cookies, vegan options, gift cookies, strawberry cookies
