Strawberry Kiss Cookies are soft, sweet, and a little bit fun with a bright burst of fresh strawberry flavor in every bite. These cookies are pretty straightforward—imagine a tender, buttery cookie base topped with a dollop of glossy, red strawberry jam that gives just the right touch of fruity sweetness. They’re a simple, cheerful treat that’s as pretty as they are tasty.
I love making these cookies when I want something light and sweet but not too heavy. The strawberry jam on top always feels like a little surprise, and it’s fun to watch it bake into the cookies, getting just a bit sticky and shiny. Whenever I take them out of the oven, the smell of warm strawberries fills the kitchen, and it’s impossible to wait for them to cool down before sneaking a taste.
These cookies are great for sharing at gatherings or to pack in a lunchbox for an easy, happy snack. They remind me of sunny spring afternoons and simple pleasures, and I find that a glass of cold milk makes the perfect partner for them. Whether you’re baking for kids, friends, or just yourself, Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a lovely little treat that always puts a smile on my face.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Using unsalted softened butter gives your cookies a creamy texture and rich flavor. If you want a dairy-free option, try coconut oil, but the texture will be a bit different.
Freeze-dried Strawberries: These add real strawberry flavor without extra moisture. You can substitute with finely chopped fresh strawberries, but expect a softer dough.
Pink Gel Food Coloring: This is optional for a nice pink cookie base. If you prefer natural coloring, try beet powder or skip coloring altogether.
Decorating Gel or Frosting: For the lips decoration, decorating gels are quick and shiny. Alternatively, you can pipe frosting with a small tip or use melted colored candy melts shaped with a mold.
How Do You Get the Perfect Lip Shape on Each Cookie?
Creating the lip shape gives these cookies their unique charm. Here’s how I like to do it:
- Use a piping bag fitted with a small round or petal tip. Fill it with red or pink frosting or decorating gel.
- Start at the center and pipe a gentle M-shape to mimic lips, then draw the bottom curve under it.
- If you find freehand tricky, use a silicone mold for uniform lips made of colored candy melts or frosting. Gently press them onto the cooled cookie.
- Make sure the cookies are fully cooled before decorating so the toppings don’t melt or slide off.
- Let the lips decoration set at room temperature or in the fridge to firm up before serving.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheets – You’ll bake the cookies evenly and can line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Parchment paper – Prevents sticking and keeps your cookie bottoms smooth.
- Mixing bowls – Use one for wet ingredients and one for dry; it makes mixing easier and neater.
- Electric mixer or hand mixer – Speeds up creaming butter and sugar for fluffy dough.
- Piping bag with small round or petal tip – Perfect for creating the lips shape with frosting or decorating gel.
- Silicone lip-shaped mold (optional) – Helps you shape consistent lips from frosting or candy melts if piping feels tricky.
- Wire cooling rack – Lets cookies cool evenly without getting soggy underneath.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Try raspberry or cherry freeze-dried fruit instead of strawberry for a tart twist with a similar texture.
- Add a splash of almond extract with the vanilla for a nutty, sweet flavor that pairs well with berries.
- Mix in white chocolate chips to the dough for extra bursts of creamy sweetness in every bite.
- Top with flavored frostings like cream cheese or lemon for a tangy contrast to the sweet cookie base.
Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed (or finely crushed strawberry-flavored candy)
- Pink gel food coloring (optional, to tint the cookie dough)
- Red or pink decorating gel or colored frosting for lips decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This cookie recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare, 10-12 minutes to bake, plus about 20 minutes for cooling and decorating. Overall, you can expect around 45 minutes from start to sweet finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Get Ready and Mix Your Dough
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep those cookies from sticking. In a large bowl, beat together your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy – this usually takes a few minutes with an electric mixer.
Next, add the egg and vanilla extract to your bowl, beating until everything is well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and crushed freeze-dried strawberries. This dry mix brings in the strawberry flavor and a bit of texture.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix just until combined – no overmixing! If you want a pretty pink cookie base, now’s the time to stir in a few drops of pink gel food coloring gently until you get your desired shade.
2. Shape and Bake Your Cookies
Scoop out dough by tablespoonfuls and roll into balls. Place the balls on your prepped baking sheets, leaving some space between each one, because they will spread slightly as they bake. Press each ball gently with the bottom of a glass or your hand to flatten just a bit.
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. You want the edges to look set but keep the centers soft. Once done, let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before decorating.
3. Decorate with Fun Strawberry Lips
After the cookies have cooled, it’s time for the adorable lips! Using red or pink decorating gel or frosting, pipe lips shapes onto each cookie. A piping bag with a small round or petal tip is great for this job – just draw a soft ‘M’ shape for the top lips and a curved line underneath for the bottom lips.
If piping feels tricky, you can use a silicone mold to shape lips with colored frosting or candy melts and then gently press these onto your cookies. Let the decorations set so they don’t smear before serving.
And there you have it — delicious, cute Strawberry Kiss Cookies ready to share or enjoy all by yourself!
Can I Use Fresh Strawberries Instead of Freeze-Dried?
Yes, but fresh strawberries add extra moisture, which can make the dough softer and spread more during baking. If you use fresh, try draining and patting them dry before chopping finely to reduce moisture.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Chill the dough in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Just let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature if it’s too firm to scoop.
How Should I Store the Cookies?
Store baked and decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If decorated with frosting, you can also refrigerate them, but bring them back to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Can I Substitute Butter with Margarine or Oil?
Butter provides the best flavor and texture here, but margarine can work in a pinch. Avoid using oil as it will change the dough consistency and make cookies less tender and less structured for decorating.
