Strawberry Crunch Cookies with Crumb Topping & Glaze Recipe
These Strawberry Crunch Cookies combine a soft, buttery cookie base with a delightful strawberry crunch topping made from freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla wafer crumbs. Finished with a sweet pink glaze drizzle, these cookies bring a burst of fruity flavor and texture, perfect for spring and summer treats or any special occasion.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Strawberry Crunch Topping
- 3/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries (crushed)
- 3/4 cup vanilla wafer cookies (crushed)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
Pink Drizzle Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- 1–2 drops pink food coloring (optional)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition for smoothness. Stir in vanilla extract for flavor depth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Form and Flatten Cookies: Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each ball to encourage even baking and a cookie shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown, signaling they are done but still soft inside.
- Prepare Crunch Topping: While the cookies bake, combine crushed freeze-dried strawberries, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and melted butter in a small bowl until the mixture is crumbly.
- Add Topping to Warm Cookies: Remove baked cookies from the oven and while still warm, gently press the strawberry crunch mixture on top of each cookie to adhere and create a crunchy topping.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack to set the topping and prevent melting of the glaze later.
- Make and Add Pink Glaze: Mix powdered sugar with milk until smooth, adding 1–2 drops of pink food coloring if desired for a festive appearance. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag for an attractive finish.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is fully softened to achieve the best creaming results with the sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- The strawberry crunch topping should be applied while cookies are still warm to help it stick well.
- Use freeze-dried strawberries rather than fresh or dried for the best crunch and concentrated flavor.
- If you prefer a stronger strawberry flavor, add a teaspoon of strawberry extract to the dough.
- Allow glaze to set before storing cookies in an airtight container to avoid stickiness.
- Cookies keep well for up to 4 days at room temperature in a sealed container or can be frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: strawberry cookies, crunch topping, vanilla wafer cookies, pink glaze, baked cookies, fruity dessert