🍓 Strawberry Snowball Cookies Recipe

Perfect for: Holiday treats, gifting, or any time you want a sweet indulgence
Yields: 24–30 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes (optional but recommended)
Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour (including chill time)
Calories per cookie: ~100-120 kcal

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🧺 Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup cornstarch

• ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into a fine powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Strawberry Coating:

• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

• Optional: 2–3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder (for a deeper pink color and flavor)

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🧁 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Freeze-Dried Strawberries

1. If you are using freeze-dried strawberries, crush them into a fine powder. You can do this by placing them in a zip-top bag and gently crushing with a rolling pin or using a food processor.

2. Measure out ½ cup of crushed strawberry powder for the dough. You can also reserve a small amount (2–3 tablespoons) for the coating, depending on how intense you want the strawberry flavor in the finished cookies.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3–4 minutes with an electric mixer or about 5 minutes with a hand whisk.

2. Add the vanilla extract and continue to beat until well combined.

Step 3: Make the Cookie Dough

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and freeze-dried strawberry powder until thoroughly combined.

2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

3. Once combined, you should have a soft, slightly crumbly dough.

Step 4: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

1. For easier handling, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Chilling will help the dough firm up, making it easier to roll into balls.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

3. Once the dough has chilled, use your hands or a cookie scoop to form 1-inch balls of dough. Roll them between your palms to ensure they’re smooth and round.

4. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden, but the centers are still soft. They should not brown too much.

2. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Coat the Cookies

1. Once the cookies have cooled, gently roll each cookie in a bowl filled with powdered sugar (and extra freeze-dried strawberry powder, if using). Be sure to coat them thoroughly.

2. If desired, repeat the rolling process after the cookies have cooled completely to get a thicker coating of powdered sugar.

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💡 Tips & Tricks

• Chill the dough: This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much while baking.

• Customize the flavor: Add almond extract instead of vanilla if you’d like a different flavor profile. Almond pairs beautifully with strawberry.

• Make it your way: You can experiment with different fruit powders like blueberry or raspberry if you want a variation of this recipe.

• Substitute freeze-dried fruit: If you can’t find freeze-dried strawberries, you can use strawberry puree powder or strawberry jello powder, but these may affect the sweetness and texture.

• Make ahead: These cookies can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.

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🍓 Storage

• Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5–7 days.

• Freezing: Place the cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separated by parchment paper, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

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🥰 Who Will Love These Cookies?

• Strawberry lovers who crave a burst of fruit flavor in a light, buttery cookie.

• Fans of shortbread-style cookies, as the texture is crumbly and tender.

• Holiday bakers looking for a festive, sweet treat to give as gifts or serve at parties.

• Anyone who enjoys light, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are easy to make and fun to eat!