Description
Delight in these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies, combining the sweet richness of semi-sweet chocolate with the vibrant, concentrated flavor of freeze-dried strawberries. Perfectly soft with a slight crisp at the edges, these cookies offer a gourmet twist on a classic treat, ideal for Valentine’s Day or any strawberry-chocolate craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, finely crushed
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined and homogeneous.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries to evenly distribute the leavening agents and strawberry flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mix to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cookie dough, ensuring even distribution without deflating the dough.
- Scoop Dough: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, place portions of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookie edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft, ensuring a chewy texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage.
Notes
- Freeze-dried strawberries provide concentrated strawberry flavor without adding extra moisture that could affect cookie texture.
- For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle melted chocolate over cooled cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
