Valentine Strawberry Cookies are soft, sweet cookies infused with strawberry flavor and often decorated with pink or red icing. These delightful treats are perfect for celebrating love on Valentine’s Day or any special occasion!

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen)
• Pink or red icing (for decoration, optional)
• Sprinkles (for decoration, optional)

Timing

Making Valentine Strawberry Cookies takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 10-12 minutes for baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the strawberry puree until evenly distributed.

Step 2: Shape the Cookies

1. Scoop Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Flatten Slightly: Gently flatten each cookie with the back of a fork or your hand.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked; they will firm up as they cool.
2. Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Decorate (Optional)

1. Ice the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate with pink or red icing and add sprinkles as desired.

Step 5: Serve

1. Enjoy: Serve these delightful Valentine Strawberry Cookies at your celebration, or package them as sweet gifts for loved ones!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Valentine Strawberry Cookies (per cookie, based on 24 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	120
Protein	1g
Fat	6g
Carbohydrates	16g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	7g

Tips for Customization

• Add Chocolate Chips: Mix in white or dark chocolate chips for added sweetness and flavor.
• Use Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Incorporate crushed freeze-dried strawberries for a more intense strawberry flavor and texture.
• Different Shapes: Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for Valentine’s Day instead of round cookies.

Conclusion

Valentine Strawberry Cookies are a delightful and festive treat that combines the sweetness of strawberries with the joy of baking. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and warmth to any celebration. Enjoy this delightful recipe!