Sweet Heart Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe for Love

Sweet moments call for delightful treats that make strawberry shortbread cookies heart-shaped with love and charm.

Buttery and delicate, these cookies capture the essence of romantic baking.

Soft edges and rich flavors blend perfectly in each carefully crafted bite.

The delicate strawberry notes dance across a tender shortbread base, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

These elegant cookies promise to impress at any gathering or quiet afternoon tea.

Bakers who enjoy simple yet stunning desserts will adore this delightful recipe.

Serve these lovely cookies and watch smiles bloom with every sweet, crumbly bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Calories: 155 kcal

Servings: 23

What You’ll Need For Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the shortbread, providing tender and crumbly texture with a delicate structure.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth texture and delivers rich, creamy flavor to the shortbread.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps achieve a golden, crisp exterior.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth, complementing the strawberry's bright notes.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Intensifies the strawberry flavor with concentrated, vibrant fruity essence.

• Powdered Sugar: Forms a smooth, glossy glaze that adds sweetness and visual appeal.
• Milk or Cream: Helps create a silky, pourable glaze consistency.
• Food Coloring (Optional): Allows customization of the glaze color for a playful touch.
• Heart-Shaped Sprinkles: Provides a whimsical decorative element to enhance the cookie's romantic theme.

Tools To Bake Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Electric Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter: Creates adorable heart-shaped cookies with crisp edges.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients and preparing the glaze.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out dough to the perfect even thickness.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for mixing glaze and preparing decorative toppings.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Steps To Make Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Soft Butter Dance

Grab softened butter and sugar, then whirl them together with an electric mixer until they become fluffy and cloud-like. Splash in vanilla and sprinkle crushed strawberry powder, mixing until everything feels cozy and blended.

• Flour Fusion

Whisk flour and salt in a separate bowl, then gently fold them into the butter mixture. Work slowly, letting the dough come together like a gentle whisper. Split the dough into two friendly disks and tuck them into the refrigerator for a cool rest.

• Heart-Shaped Magic

Warm up the oven to a toasty 325F. Roll out your chilled dough on a lightly dusted surface, pressing a heart-shaped cutter to create adorable cookie silhouettes. Arrange these sweet hearts on baking sheets, giving them a little breathing room.

• Golden Transformation

Slide the cookies into the oven and let them bake until their edges turn a delicate golden hue, around 12-15 minutes. Let them relax on the baking sheet for a moment before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Dreamy Glaze (Optional)

Whip up a playful glaze by mixing powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and strawberry powder. Drizzle this magical coating over cooled cookies, and if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some extra crushed strawberries on top.

Tips For Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

• Baking Brilliance: Strawberry Shortbread Cookie Tips & Variations
• Butter Temperature Trick: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture. Leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing.
• Freezing Magic: Prepare extra dough disks and freeze for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for spontaneous cookie baking.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive bakers. Add a pinch of xanthan gum to help bind the dough.
• Vegan Transformation: Substitute dairy butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Use plant-based milk in the glaze for a completely dairy-free treat.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different freeze-dried fruit powders like raspberry or passion fruit to create unique flavor combinations that'll surprise your taste buds.

Serving Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies The Sweet Way

• Romantic Date Night Dessert: Create an intimate evening by serving these heart-shaped cookies alongside champagne or strawberry cocktails for a sweet, loving touch.
• Afternoon Tea Party Centerpiece: Arrange the cookies on a elegant tiered platter with fresh strawberries and delicate tea cups for a charming gathering with friends.
• Kids' Baking Fun Activity: Let children help decorate the cookies with colorful sprinkles and glaze, turning baking into a playful family bonding experience.
• Valentine's Day Gift Idea: Package the cookies in a cute heart-shaped box with a ribbon, making a homemade, thoughtful present for loved ones or colleagues.

Store Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies Right

• Airtight Cookie Haven: Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain delicate texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap unglazed cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add glaze before serving for fresh-baked taste.
• Dough Preparation Hack: Raw cookie dough disks can be refrigerated for 24 hours or frozen for 3 weeks. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag to retain freshness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Baked and glazed cookies remain delicious for 3-4 days when stored in a cool, dry place. Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity to maintain crisp texture and vibrant flavor.

Sweet Heart-Shaped Strawberry Shortbread Cookies

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delicate heart-shaped strawberry shortbread cookies celebrate love with buttery, crumbly texture and sweet strawberry essence. Romantic desserts like these connect bakers to cherished moments of affection, inviting you to share warmth through each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (50 g) freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps milk or heavy cream
• 2 tbsps freeze-dried strawberry powder (or strawberry jam)
• Pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
• Additional crushed freeze-dried strawberries
• Heart-shaped sprinkles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Creaming: Whip softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, airy base for the shortbread.
2. Flavor Infusion: Blend vanilla extract and ground freeze-dried strawberries into the creamed mixture, ensuring even distribution of aromatic elements.
3. Dough Formation: Delicately incorporate flour and salt, mixing until a tender, cohesive dough develops without overworking.
4. Chilling Preparation: Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and enhance flavor melding.
5. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 325F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
6. Shaping: Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness, then use heart-shaped cookie cutters to create delicate cookie silhouettes.
7. Baking: Arrange cookies on prepared sheets with ample spacing and bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden hue.
8. Cooling: Transfer baked cookies to a cooling rack, allowing them to set and reach perfect texture.
9. Glazing: Craft a luxurious strawberry glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and crushed freeze-dried strawberry powder until smooth and glossy.
10. Decorating: Adorn cooled cookies with strawberry glaze, creating artistic drizzles or complete coatings, and embellish with additional strawberry crumbles or decorative elements while glaze remains wet.

Notes

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain the precise heart shape during baking, ensuring crisp edges and a perfect cookie outline.
• Manage Moisture Carefully: Use completely dried freeze-dried strawberries to prevent excess moisture that could compromise the shortbread’s delicate texture and structural integrity.
• Roll with Precision: Maintain a consistent 1/4-inch thickness while rolling to guarantee even baking and uniform cookie texture, preventing any uneven browning or texture variations.
• Glaze Application Technique: Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking finish that adheres smoothly to the shortbread surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg