Strawberry Crunch Cookies Recipe
Strawberry Crunch Cookies are delightful treats combining the sweetness of strawberry cake mix and the tartness of freeze-dried strawberries with a buttery cookie base. These soft, flavorful cookies are topped with a crunchy strawberry-graham cracker mixture, perfect for strawberry lovers craving a unique crispy texture.
- Author: Felix
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (150 g) freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- 1 cup (150 g) strawberry cake mix
Crunch Topping
- 1/2 cup (75 g) freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- 1/2 cup (50 g) graham crackers, crushed
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) unsalted butter, melted
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the cookies perfectly.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them into the mixture.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile of the cookie dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning agents.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet butter and sugar mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies.
- Fold in Strawberries and Cake Mix: Gently fold in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries and the strawberry cake mix to evenly distribute strawberry flavor throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Scoop rounded balls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Add Extra Strawberries (Optional): Sprinkle a small amount of crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top of each dough ball for an extra burst of strawberry flavor and attractive appearance.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn a golden color and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Crunch Topping: Mix together the crushed freeze-dried strawberries, crushed graham crackers, and melted butter until the mixture is crumbly but holds together when pressed.
- Apply Crunch Topping: Press the prepared crunch topping firmly onto the top of each cooled cookie to add texture and a delightful crunch.
- Store Cookies: Store the finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the cookie dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Freeze-dried strawberries add a strong strawberry flavor without additional moisture, keeping the cookies tender.
- You can substitute strawberry cake mix with your favorite flavored cake mix for different variations.
- If you prefer softer cookies, reduce baking time slightly and watch closely.
- Make sure cookies are fully cooled before applying the crunch topping to ensure it adheres well.
Keywords: Strawberry Cookies, Crunch Cookies, Strawberry Dessert, Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies, Freeze-Dried Strawberry Cookies, Sweet Cookies