Elegant Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups are a delightful and visually appealing treat that’s perfect for special occasions or as a fun dessert to share with friends and family. These cookies are soft and chewy, shaped into little cups, and filled with a luscious strawberry filling. Here’s how to make them:
Ingredients:
For the Sugar Cookie Cups:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk (optional, for softening dough)
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken)
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Whipped Cream Topping:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Make the Sugar Cookie Cups:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to soften it slightly.
- Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place them into the cups of a mini muffin tin.
- Press down gently in the center of each dough ball to form a cup shape.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. Let the cookies cool completely in the tin before removing them.
2. Make the Strawberry Filling:
- In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once it begins to bubble, cook for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency.
- Remove from heat and let the strawberry filling cool to room temperature. If you prefer a smoother filling, you can blend it lightly with an immersion blender or mash the strawberries before cooling.
3. Make the Whipped Cream Topping:
- In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer.
- Whip until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to overwhip.
4. Assemble the Cookie Cups:
- Once the sugar cookie cups have cooled, spoon a generous amount of the cooled strawberry filling into the center of each cup.
- Top each filled cookie cup with a dollop of whipped cream.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice or a mint leaf for an elegant touch.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve (best within a few hours to keep the cookies fresh).
These Elegant Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups are a perfect blend of soft, buttery sugar cookies, sweet strawberry filling, and airy whipped cream. They’re beautiful, bite-sized, and delicious!
