Strawberry Cookies

Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside; delicious strawberry flavor, perfect for summer!

Strawberry Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar (plus about 1/2 cup extra for rolling)

1/2 cup seedless strawberry jam* (I used Smuckers)

1 egg yolk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp strawberry flavor oil (optional)

*Fruit chunks displace some of the "liquid" of the jam and may affect the recipe.  You can use any jam in these cookies (raspberry, blueberry, peach - yum), but straining is recommended.  Use good quality jam for best flavor!

Directions:

1.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

2.  Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Beat until smooth.  Add the sugar.  Beat until creamy.

3.  Add the jam to the mixer bowl.  Beat until smooth.  Add the yolk, vanilla, and strawberry oil (is using).  Beat until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

4.  Cover and chill the dough until firm (this goes quickly if you use the freezer).  

5.  Preheat the oven to 350°.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

6.  Place about 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl.  Scoop 1" balls of the cookie dough and place them, a few at a time, into the sugar.  Roll to coat.  Transfer the balls to the lined baking sheets, leaving about 2" between each.

7.  Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.  Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets.  Serve!