Chocolate-stuffed strawberry sugar cookies are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, featuring a sweet strawberry-flavored dough wrapped around a rich chocolate center. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor, making them a perfect treat for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any occasion where a touch of indulgence is needed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combination: Sweet strawberry dough pairs perfectly with gooey chocolate.
- Visually Stunning: Pretty pink cookies with a surprise chocolate filling.
- Easy to Make: Simple steps with no complicated techniques.
- Perfect for Celebrations: Ideal for gifting or party trays.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Strawberry extract or flavoring
- Red or pink food coloring (optional)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk chocolate squares or chocolate chips (for stuffing)
- Additional sugar (for rolling)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, strawberry extract, and food coloring (if using) until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Prepare Dough Balls: Scoop out a tablespoon of dough, flatten it slightly, and place a chocolate square or chip in the center. Wrap the dough around the chocolate, rolling it into a smooth ball.
- Coat with Sugar: Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to coat evenly.
- Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 20 cookies.
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 30-32 minutes
Variations
- White Chocolate Filling: Use white chocolate squares or chips for a different flavor.
- Jam-Filled Option: Replace the chocolate with a small dollop of strawberry or raspberry jam.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Chocolate Dough: Add cocoa powder to the dough for chocolate-strawberry cookies.
- Sprinkles: Roll the cookies in Valentine’s-themed sprinkles instead of sugar for a festive touch.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls (with chocolate inside) on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- Reheating: Warm the cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the chocolate center.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh strawberries in the dough?
Fresh strawberries introduce too much moisture and won’t work well. Stick with strawberry extract for the flavor.
2. What type of chocolate works best?
Milk chocolate squares or chunks are ideal, but you can use dark or semi-sweet chocolate for a richer taste.
3. Can I skip the food coloring?
Yes, the food coloring is optional and doesn’t affect the flavor.
4. How do I prevent the chocolate from leaking out?
Ensure the dough is evenly wrapped around the chocolate and pinch any seams closed before baking.
5. Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free butter substitute and dairy-free chocolate for a vegan-friendly version.
6. Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Make sure the butter isn’t overly soft, and chill the dough for 15-20 minutes if it feels too sticky.
7. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double all the ingredients and bake in batches.
8. Can I use flavored sugar for rolling?
Absolutely! Try strawberry or vanilla-flavored sugar for an extra burst of flavor.
9. Can I use this dough for cut-out cookies?
No, this dough is too soft for cut-out shapes but perfect for rolling and stuffing.
10. How do I keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.
Conclusion
Chocolate-stuffed strawberry sugar cookies are an irresistible treat that’s both delicious and beautiful. With their soft strawberry dough and gooey chocolate centers, they’re sure to impress at any gathering or as a thoughtful homemade gift. Whip up a batch for a special occasion or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth—you won’t regret it!
Print
Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12–14 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies are a delightful combination of sweet strawberry flavor and rich chocolate. With a soft sugar cookie exterior, a gooey chocolate center, and a hint of pink color, they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp strawberry extract
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- A few drops of pink or red food coloring (optional)
For the Filling:
- 12–14 chocolate squares (milk or dark chocolate, depending on preference)
For Rolling:
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and strawberry extract. Mix until fully combined.
- Gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- If desired, add a few drops of pink or red food coloring and mix until the dough is evenly colored.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm.
- Place a chocolate square in the center of the dough, then fold the edges around the chocolate to completely encase it. Roll the dough into a ball.
- Roll the ball in granulated sugar to coat and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm for a gooey chocolate center or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra decadence, sprinkle the tops with a pinch of sea salt before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the chocolate center.
- You can use mini chocolate truffles or chocolate chips as a substitute for the chocolate squares.