Chewy Strawberry Sugar Cookies (So Easy!)

This easy recipe uses simple ingredients to create soft, naturally pink cookies packed with real strawberry pieces and finished with a irresistible sparkling sugar coating. No chilling required!

Chewy Strawberry Sugar Cookies (So Easy!)

I am so excited to share my go-to recipe for the ultimate chewy strawberry sugar cookies! You don’t need any fancy equipment for these—no stand mixer, and best of all, no chilling required. They are incredibly soft, packed with natural strawberry flavor from both powdered fruit and real chewy bits, and they have that classic sparkling sugar crust that makes every bite perfect.

Look at that texture! The top two cookies in the image show you exactly what you’re getting: a dense, chewy, and moist center that's just begging for a glass of milk.

Here is how you make them.

The Ingredients

We are using a combination of techniques to get maximum flavor. A little bit of pulverized freeze-dried strawberries in the dough gives them that beautiful natural pink color and a base berry flavor. Then, we fold in larger pieces of dried strawberries to create those delightful chewy pockets you see in the photo.

• 1 cup (227g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 2 ¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour

• ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ cup dried strawberry pieces (or chopped freeze-dried if you prefer less chew)

The Easy Step-by-Step

1. Prep the Strawberries: First, we want that pink base! Take your freeze-dried strawberries and pulverize them in a food processor or a blender until you have a fine powder. You should have about 3-4 tablespoons of powder. Set this aside.

2. Mix the Wet: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Don't rush this! Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully combined.

3. Whisk the Dry: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and that beautiful strawberry powder you made.

4. Combine and Fold: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Fold in the dried strawberry pieces gently. Your dough should be a gorgeous naturally pink color.

5. Form and Roll (The Sparkling Step!): Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour some extra granulated sugar into a small bowl.

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a smooth ball. Drop the ball into the sugar bowl and coat it completely until it sparkles. Place the sugar-coated balls on your prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

6. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be set, but the centers should still look slightly soft. Crucial tip: Do not overbake! This is the secret to their chewiness. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; they will finish setting up during this time. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

And that's it! Stack them up on your favorite plate and enjoy. Happy baking!