Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups

by

Here’s your big, full, story-style recipe for Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups, with history, method, and even a little romance sprinkled in. 🍓💖

Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups

Soft, buttery sugar cookies baked into adorable cups, filled with luscious strawberry jam, and topped with pink swirls of frosting—these treats are as pretty as they are delicious. Perfect for tea parties, birthdays, or just a cozy afternoon treat.

A Little Introduction

Sugar cookies have been beloved for centuries, with origins tracing back to the 1700s in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where German settlers created the round, buttery “Nazareth Cookie.” Over time, these cookies became a festive favorite, decorated and flavored in countless ways. This modern twist transforms the humble sugar cookie into a charming dessert cup, holding sweet strawberry jam and soft frosting. It’s a playful blend of old tradition and modern whimsy—one bite and you’ll feel like you’re at a garden party in spring.

Ingredients

For the Cookie Cups:

  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • Âľ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ÂĽ teaspoon baking soda
  • ÂĽ teaspoon salt

For the Filling & Topping:

  • Âľ cup (240g) strawberry jam or preserves
  • 1½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (for desired consistency)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • A drop of pink food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough:
    • In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
  2. Chill the Dough:
    • Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape in the oven.
  3. Shape the Cookie Cups:
    • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
    • Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place each into a muffin cup.
    • Press the center gently with your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon to form a shallow well.
  4. Bake:
    • Bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are just golden.
    • Immediately after baking, use a spoon or tart shaper to gently press the centers again to maintain the cup shape.
    • Let cool completely in the pan before removing.
  5. Fill & Frost:
    • Spoon strawberry jam into each cookie cup.
    • In a small bowl, beat together powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, and food coloring until smooth.
    • Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe decorative swirls on top of the jam.

Baking Method Notes

  • Chilling the dough ensures the cups don’t puff up too much.
  • Pressing after baking helps create a perfect well for the filling.
  • For an extra indulgent version, add a tiny piece of fresh strawberry on top of the frosting.

A Sweet History Bite

Sugar cookies, born in America but inspired by European shortbreads, have been adapted into every shape imaginable. This cup version mirrors the structure of ancient “tartlets,” which held fruit preserves in medieval banquets. Strawberries, once considered a luxury in Europe, were a romantic symbol—often served at weddings. In fact, strawberries were associated with Venus, the goddess of love, making these cookie cups a perfect treat for Valentine’s Day or anniversaries.

Formation of the Dessert

The recipe forms a base (cookie cup) through baking in a muffin tin, followed by layering—first a jam filling, then a frosting crown. This creates a triple texture: crisp edges, jammy middle, creamy top.

Conclusion

Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups are more than just a dessert—they’re a bite-sized celebration. The crisp yet tender cookie, the sweet burst of strawberry, and the creamy frosting make each mouthful pure joy. Serve them with tea for elegance, or in a colorful tray at a children’s party for delight.

For the Lovers of Baking ❤️

These cups are perfect for those who love:

  • A mix of tradition and creativity in baking.
  • Desserts that look as good as they taste.
  • Easy, make-ahead sweets for gatherings.

For couples, they make a lovely “shareable” dessert—one cup for each of you, or maybe two if you’re feeling indulgent.

If you want, I can also give you a chocolate-dipped version of these Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups that makes them even more decadent.

Leave a Comment