Description
Frosted Strawberry Crunch Cookies combine tender, cake-flour based cookies with a creamy strawberry-flavored frosting and a delightful crunchy topping made from Golden Oreo crumbs and freeze-dried strawberries. These cookies balance soft texture, sweet fruity flavor, and a satisfying crunch for a perfect treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 ½ cups cake flour (do not substitute)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 oz freeze-dried strawberries, pulsed to fine powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Strawberry Crunch Topping
- 1 cup Golden Oreo cookie crumbs (about 10 cookies)
- ½ oz freeze-dried strawberries, pulsed to fine powder
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together cake flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to evenly blend the leavening agents and seasoning. Set aside.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment (or hand mixer), beat unsalted butter, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth and creamy. Then, incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Make Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft cookie dough forms, ensuring an even and tender texture throughout.
- Chill Dough Balls: Scoop dough into 3-tablespoon balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill for 30 minutes to firm the dough and improve the texture of the cookies.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350℉ (177℃). Prepare baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange chilled dough balls spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for approximately 12 minutes until centers puff and edges remain pale. Let cookies cool for 1 minute on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Beat Butter for Frosting: Beat unsalted butter in a mixer for 5 minutes until light and creamy to create a fluffy frosting base.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Mix in half of the powdered sugar on low speed until combined, then add the rest and continue mixing gently to avoid lumps.
- Incorporate Strawberry Powder: Mix in the finely ground freeze-dried strawberry powder on low speed until evenly distributed, providing natural strawberry flavor and color.
- Add Flavor & Cream: Blend in vanilla extract and salt. Slowly drizzle in heavy cream while mixing to achieve a creamy, spreadable frosting consistency.
- Whip Frosting: Increase mixer speed to medium and whip frosting for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and creamy. Reduce speed to low and mix further to remove air bubbles for a flawless texture.
- Prepare Crunch Topping: In a small bowl, combine Golden Oreo crumbs, strawberry powder, and melted butter. Stir well to create the crunchy topping and set aside.
- Pipe Frosting on Cookies: Fill a piping bag fitted with Wilton 1A tip with frosting. Pipe swirls onto each cooled cookie and smooth gently with an offset spatula for a beautiful finish.
- Add Crunchy Topping: Generously sprinkle the strawberry crunch topping over the frosted cookies to add texture, flavor, and an eye-catching finish.
Notes
- Use cake flour as specified to achieve the tender, light texture; substituting all-purpose flour will change the cookie texture.
- Chilling the dough before baking helps prevent excessive spreading and results in chewier cookies.
- Freeze-dried strawberries add natural color and flavor without additional moisture, which is important for frosting consistency.
- Golden Oreo crumbs provide a sweet, vanilla crunch that complements the strawberry flavor perfectly.
- The frosting is best piped onto completely cooled cookies to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
