Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies

Introduction

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies are the perfect combination of sweet, fruity, and indulgent flavors in a delightful, bite-sized treat. These cookies combine a rich, buttery base with the natural sweetness of strawberry and the irresistible allure of smooth chocolate. Topped with a drizzle of chocolate to mimic the beloved chocolate-covered strawberry, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Whether for a special dessert, a gift, or simply a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

I remember the first time I made these for a family gathering. The moment they were set out, the plate was emptied in no time! The combination of buttery cookies and the sweet, tangy strawberry flavor, complemented by the rich chocolate drizzle, was an instant hit. What’s great about these cookies is how easy they are to customize—you can even add freeze-dried strawberries to the dough for an extra burst of flavor. They’re perfect for everything from casual get-togethers to gifting during the holidays or for a loved one’s birthday. These cookies truly bring the best of both worlds: the charm of a chocolate-covered strawberry and the joy of a homemade cookie!

Perfect for:

• Valentine’s Day
• Birthday parties
• Dessert trays
• Cookie exchanges
• Chocolate lovers

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies will become your new favorite:

• Chocolate and Strawberry Pairing: The natural sweetness of strawberry combined with the richness of chocolate creates a perfect balance of flavors.
• Soft, Buttery Cookies: These cookies have a soft, chewy texture with a slightly crisp edge, making them a comforting treat.
• No Fuss, Easy to Make: The recipe is simple, using easily accessible ingredients, and they bake in just a few minutes.
• Visually Stunning: The finished cookies, with their drizzle of chocolate and vibrant strawberry center, are as beautiful as they are delicious.
• Perfect for Gifting: These cookies make a wonderful homemade gift for holidays or special occasions.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling time)
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Baking Time: 12-15 minutes
• Chilling Time: 15 minutes (optional)
• Servings: 18-24 cookies
• Calories per serving: Approximately 150-170 calories per cookie
• Key Nutrients: Protein: 2g, Carbs: 20g, Fat: 9g

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to make your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies:

For the Cookies:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into a powder
• ¼ cup strawberry jam or preserves

For the Chocolate Drizzle:

• 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil (for smooth melting)

Ingredient Highlights

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: These provide intense strawberry flavor without adding excess moisture, perfect for the cookie dough.
• Butter: Helps create a tender, soft texture for the cookies.
• Strawberry Jam: Adds a sweet, fruity element to the cookie that complements the freeze-dried strawberries.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Provides the perfect balance of rich chocolate flavor for the drizzle.
• Coconut Oil: Used to thin the chocolate and give it a glossy finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies:

Prepare the Cookie Dough:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully combined.
4. Add Strawberry Ingredients: Stir in the crushed freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry jam until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix.

Shape and Bake the Cookies:

6. Chill the Dough (Optional): For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes to firm it up before baking. This step is optional but helps with cookie shape.
7. Scoop the Dough: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to form dough balls and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
9. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Chocolate Drizzle:

10. Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped semi-sweet chocolate and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth.
11. Drizzle the Chocolate: Once the cookies have cooled completely, drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of each cookie using a spoon or piping bag. Let the chocolate set for a few minutes at room temperature.

Serve and Enjoy:

12. Serve: Once the chocolate has firmed up, the cookies are ready to serve! Enjoy with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage.

How to Serve

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies are versatile and can be served in many ways:

• As a Dessert Tray: Perfect for special occasions like parties or potlucks where you want a sweet treat to impress.
• Gifted to Loved Ones: Package these cookies in a cute tin or box for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
• With a Cup of Tea or Coffee: Pair these cookies with a warm beverage for a cozy afternoon snack.
• For a Sweet Treat: These cookies are great for any time you want a delicious, indulgent snack.

Additional Tips

Here are some tips to ensure your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies turn out perfectly:

• Use Room Temperature Butter: This ensures the butter mixes smoothly with the sugar and creates a fluffy dough.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so mix just until everything is incorporated.
• Add Extra Chocolate Chips: If you’re a chocolate lover, fold in some mini chocolate chips into the dough before baking for an extra burst of chocolate.
• Customize with Different Jam Flavors: Try swapping strawberry jam for raspberry or blueberry jam for a different twist.
• Drizzle with More Chocolate: If you love chocolate, feel free to coat the entire cookie with a thin layer of chocolate instead of just drizzling.

Recipe Variations

Here are 5 variations you can try for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies:

1. White Chocolate Drizzle: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate for a different flavor profile.
2. Dried Strawberry and Dark Chocolate: Use freeze-dried strawberries in the dough and drizzle with dark chocolate for a richer taste.
3. Chocolate Strawberry Sandwich Cookies: Turn these into sandwich cookies by adding a layer of strawberry buttercream or strawberry jam between two cookies.
4. Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
5. Coconut Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies: Add shredded coconut to the cookie dough for a tropical twist, and drizzle with dark chocolate.

Freezing and Storage

• Freezing: These cookies freeze beautifully. Just store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Storage: Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Special Equipment

Here are some special equipment items to make preparing your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies easier:

• Electric Mixer: Helps beat the butter and sugar into a fluffy texture.
• Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop makes it easy to portion out dough evenly.
• Piping Bag: If you prefer precise chocolate drizzle, a piping bag works great.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: For melting the chocolate and coconut oil easily.

FAQ Section

1. Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?
   Fresh strawberries will add too much moisture to the dough. Stick with freeze-dried for the best texture.
2. Can I make these without chocolate drizzle?
   Absolutely! You can skip the drizzle and still have delicious strawberry-flavored cookies.
3. Can I use a different type of jam?
   Yes, you can use any type of fruit jam you like—raspberry, blueberry, or even peach!
4. Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
   Yes, substitute the butter with dairy-free butter and use dairy-free chocolate for the drizzle.
5. Can I freeze the dough before baking?
   Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 1 month. Just scoop the dough into balls, freeze, and then bake when you’re ready.

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Conclusion

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies are a fun, flavorful treat that brings together the best of chocolate and fruit in a soft, chewy cookie. With their vibrant strawberry flavor and glossy chocolate drizzle, these cookies are perfect for any occasion and are sure to be a hit with everyone. Whether you’re making them for yourself, gifting them, or sharing them with family and friends, these cookies will not disappoint.

The combination of sweet, juicy strawberry pieces baked into a soft cookie base, paired with a rich chocolate drizzle, creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures. They’re easy to prepare and always look impressive with their pretty, glossy finish.

These cookies make a sweet treat for celebrations, casual gatherings, or when you’re craving something special. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or store them for later—either way, they’ll be gone in no time!

I’d love to see how your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies turn out! Snap a photo, share it on social media, and tag me so I can see your delicious creations. Happy baking!