When the sun is shining, and the air is warm, there’s no better way to celebrate the flavours of summer than with a delightful batch of Strawberry Shortbread Cookies. These cookies combine the buttery goodness of classic shortbread with the bright, juicy sweetness of ripe strawberries, creating a treat that’s as refreshing as it is indulgent. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to create your own batch of these fruity, melt-in-your-mouth delights.
Ingredients:
For your batch of Strawberry Shortbread Cookies, you’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes of mixing with an electric mixer.
- Add the Vanilla: Incorporate the pure vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the mixture. Mix until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix; you want a crumbly, sandy texture.
- Fold in the Strawberries: Gently fold in the diced fresh strawberries into the dough, ensuring they are evenly distributed. The dough will be speckled with strawberry goodness.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it forms a cohesive ball.
- Form the Cookies: Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes or simply cut the dough into squares or rectangles.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15-18 minutes, or until the edges become slightly firm and they no longer look wet on top.
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove the Strawberry Shortbread Cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Strawberry Shortbread Cookies are a delightful summer treat that encapsulates the essence of the season. With every bite, you’ll experience the sweet, juicy burst of strawberries harmonizing with the buttery richness of classic shortbread. These cookies are perfect for picnics, afternoon tea, or simply indulging in a taste of summer whenever you desire.
So, gather your fresh strawberries and get ready to create a batch of these fruity, melt-in-your-mouth delights. Share the joy of Strawberry Shortbread Cookies with friends and family, and savour the sweet flavours of summer in every bite.