Strawberry Sugar Cookies
Tools
– Mixing bowl + wooden spoon or Kitchenaid stand mixer
– Measuring cups + spoons
– Rolling pin
– Baking sheet
– Cookie cutter
– Oven
Ingredients
– 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 3 Tablespoons strawberry powder (Just Tomatoes, Etc. Strawberry Powder is ready-to-use or simply crush freeze-dried strawberries, available at Whole Foods, Mother’s Market or Trader Joe’s.)
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
1. Using a Kitchenaid (or the old-school wooden spoon method), cream the butter, sugar and strawberry powder. Translation: mix these three ingredients together until they form a smooth, soft paste.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Add vanilla extract and egg to the creamed sugar mixture
4. Gradually incorporate the flour (a third at a time)
5. Roll dough into a ball and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
6. Once the dough is firm, divide into two equal parts. Using a rolling pin dusted with flour, roll out the dough into 1/2” thick layer. Using a cookie cutter, punch out the cookies.
7. Line cookies on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 minutes or until edges brown slightly.
8. For decorating, brush the cooled cookies with simple syrup and a dried strawberry slice.
Strawberry Powder
Tools
– Dehydrator
– Small paring knife
– Coffee or spice grinder
Ingredients
– 1 lb. fresh strawberries
Method
1. Slice fresh strawberries into 1/4-inch pieces.
2. Line the slices on a dehydrator mat.
3. Leave in the dehydrator at the “fruit setting” overnight or until the berries are completely dried like chips.
4. Take your dehydrated strawberries or use store-bought freeze-dried strawberries (available at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Mother’s Market) and using a clean grinder, pulse the berries until they reach a powder-like consistency.
Strawberry Simple Syrup
Tools
– Pot for boiling water
– Measuring cups
– Strainer
Ingredients
– 2 cups sugar
– 1 cup water
– 1/3 cup strawberries
Method
1. Bring water to a boil and whisk in sugar and strawberries. Once sugar is dissolved, remove from heat. Cool.
2. Strain and save syrup for up to one week in the fridge. Use berry pulp for mixed drinks or as a dessert topping.
