Description
Delight in these Chocolate-Stuffed Strawberry Sugar Cookies, featuring a soft strawberry-flavored dough encasing a surprise melted chocolate center. These festive cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion that calls for a sweet, fruity twist on classic sugar cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon strawberry extract
- 2 to 3 drops red or pink food coloring (optional)
Other
- 24 chocolate squares or chocolate kisses, unwrapped
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Wet Flavors and Coloring: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, strawberry extract, and if using, the red or pink food coloring until fully incorporated and the dough takes on a strawberry hue.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender cookies.
- Assemble Cookies with Chocolate Center: Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and slightly flatten it in your hand. Place one chocolate square or kiss in the center, then wrap the dough fully around it and roll into a smooth ball, sealing the chocolate inside.
- Coat and Arrange on Baking Sheets: Lightly roll each dough ball in additional granulated sugar for a sparkly finish. Place the cookies about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops begin to crack slightly but are not browned.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up and prevent breakage, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The chocolate center will remain melted inside.
Notes
- Work quickly when wrapping the chocolate to prevent it from melting prematurely.
- Using high-quality chocolate squares or kisses enhances the flavor and melt quality.
- These cookies are especially popular for Valentine’s Day or any festive occasion that celebrates love and sweetness.
- You can substitute strawberry extract with fresh strawberry puree but adjust the flour to maintain dough consistency.
