Hi, I’m Lina. As a busy mom, I love baking things that feel homemade and heartfelt without taking all day. These Strawberry Shortbread Valentine Cookies are the kind of treat that fills your kitchen with warmth and love, buttery, crumbly cookies with real strawberry flavor and a touch of sweetness that’s perfect for the season.
If you enjoy cozy, classic desserts that feel special, don’t miss my Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe for a cozy dinner before dessert, or my 5 Quick Tips for Perfect Banana Brownies for your next baking day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Beautiful and buttery: Soft, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture.
- Natural strawberry flavor: Made with freeze-dried strawberries, no artificial mix-ins.
- Festive Valentine color: Pretty pink hue that looks bakery-perfect.
- Simple ingredients: Only 7 basics you probably already have at home.
- No chill time needed: The dough rolls and cuts easily right away.
- Perfect for gifting: Heart-shaped cookies that stay fresh for days.
- Kid-approved: Great recipe to bake together and decorate with love.
Ingredients Breakdown
Butter: Use high-quality unsalted butter, it’s the foundation of good shortbread.
Powdered sugar: Keeps the texture soft and fine, not gritty like granulated sugar.
Vanilla extract: Adds a warm sweetness that complements the strawberry flavor.
All-purpose flour: Classic choice for tender, crumbly cookies.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the butter and berries.
Freeze-dried strawberries: Crushed into powder, they give real strawberry flavor and color without adding moisture.
White chocolate (optional): For drizzling or dipping, it pairs perfectly with strawberries.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Preheat oven: Set to 325°F (165°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make strawberry powder: Blend or crush freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder and set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: Beat butter and powdered sugar together until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add vanilla and strawberry powder: Mix until the dough turns a pretty pink and is evenly combined.
- Add flour and salt: Stir just until a dough forms. Don’t overmix, shortbread should stay tender.
- Roll and cut: Roll dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
- Bake: Place on prepared sheets and bake 12–14 minutes, until edges are just set. They shouldn’t brown.
- Cool and decorate: Cool completely, then drizzle with melted white chocolate or dip half of each cookie for a romantic finish.
Tips, Variations & Add-Ons
- Add lemon zest: For a tangy twist that brightens the strawberry flavor.
- Make them chocolate-dipped: Use dark or milk chocolate instead of white for contrast.
- Add filling: Sandwich two cookies with strawberry jam or buttercream.
- Natural coloring: The strawberry powder gives beautiful color, but you can add a drop of beet juice for deeper pink.
- Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, works perfectly for shortbread.
- Fancy them up: Dust with powdered sugar or decorate with pink sprinkles for a bakery finish.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are delicate, buttery, and ideal for Valentine gatherings or as sweet gifts. Pair them with:
- Air Fryer Carrots Recipe for a simple veggie side if you’re cooking a Valentine dinner.
- Homemade Sandwich Bread to make your whole meal feel homemade.
- Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Cookies for a fun, chewy addition to your cookie platter.
They’re also perfect for gifting, stack a few in glass jars or paper boxes with ribbon and a handwritten tag.
Storage & Reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The flavor deepens after a day, and they stay crisp yet tender.
To freeze, layer cookies between parchment in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating or serving.
Avoid refrigerating, moisture can make the cookies soft.
Helpful FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries?
Fresh fruit adds too much moisture. Freeze-dried strawberries give intense flavor and color without softening the dough.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Not unless your kitchen is very warm. The dough is sturdy and ready to roll right away.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes, mini white or ruby chocolate chips work beautifully.
What’s the best way to shape the cookies?
Use a small heart-shaped cutter and re-roll scraps gently to avoid overworking.
Strawberry Shortbread Valentine Cookies: Buttery, Sweet & Pretty
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Buttery strawberry shortbread cookies made with real freeze-dried strawberries, shaped into hearts, and drizzled with chocolate for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder
4 oz white or dark chocolate for dipping (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Crush freeze-dried strawberries into fine powder.
3. Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
4. Add vanilla and strawberry powder; mix well.
5. Add flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
6. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with heart-shaped cutter.
7. Place cookies on baking sheet and bake 12–14 minutes, until set but not browned.
8. Cool completely.
9. Dip or drizzle with melted chocolate if desired.
Notes
Use high-quality butter for the best flavor.
Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
Add lemon zest for a bright twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
These Strawberry Shortbread Valentine Cookies are everything homemade Valentine baking should be, simple, sweet, and full of love. Each cookie melts in your mouth with buttery richness and a whisper of strawberry flavor. Whether you’re baking for a class, a gift, or a cozy night at home, these heart-shaped cookies will make everyone feel special.