Introduction

Welcome to an irresistible dessert treat! Whether you’re preparing for a cozy afternoon with family or looking for a fun recipe to bring to your next gathering, these Elegant Strawberry Sugar Cookie Cups are bound to steal the show. These delightful mini dessert cups combine buttery sugar cookies, sweet strawberry jam, and fluffy pink buttercream frosting into a perfect bite-sized indulgence.

The image shows several small cookie cups with a thick, light beige cookie base as the first layer. On top, there is a smooth, light pink frosting layer that swirls gently shaped like a small well in the center. Inside the frosting well, there is a glossy, deep red jam filling that looks soft and slightly sticky. The frosting is decorated with tiny round sprinkles in white, pink, and orange colors scattered over the surface. Some cookie cups in the background have small pink heart-shaped decorations on the frosting. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface with part of a cooling rack underneath, and one cookie has a bite taken out showing all layers clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup strawberry jam
1 cup pink buttercream frosting
Heart and round sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin to prepare it for baking.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside for later.
Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, beating until well combined.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
Step 6: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 tablespoon each, and place one ball into each cup of the mini muffin tin.
Step 7: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are lightly golden. Let cool for 5 minutes, then gently press down the center of each cookie to create a well.
Step 8: Once completely cooled, fill each cookie cup with strawberry jam. Pipe a swirl of pink buttercream frosting on top and decorate with hearts and round sprinkles.

Tips & Variations

Use butter at room temperature for the best cookie texture.
Allow cookies to cool fully before adding jam and frosting to prevent melting.
Add a dash of almond extract to the dough for a richer flavor.
Substitute dairy-free butter for a dairy-free version.
Use gluten-free flour to make the cookies gluten-free, ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, use a standard muffin tin or shape the dough on a baking sheet to form cups.
Fresh strawberry jam will provide a more intense flavor.

Storage

Store leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigerate to preserve the frosting longer. To reheat, microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to slightly soften the buttercream without melting it completely.

How to Serve

The image shows five small cupcakes with three visible layers: the bottom layer is a light beige cake with a crumbly texture, the middle layer is a vibrant red jelly-like fruit filling, and the top layer is smooth light pink frosting with a creamy texture. The frosting is decorated with tiny round sprinkles in white, orange, pink, and red, and a few cupcakes feature small pink heart-shaped candy in the center. One cupcake in the front has a bite taken out, exposing the fruit filling underneath the frosting and cake base. The cupcakes sit on a white round plate with a white marbled textured surface beneath it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these in advance?

Yes, you can bake and store the cookie cups in a sealed container for up to one day before adding the frosting and jam.

Can I use a different jam flavor?

Absolutely! Blueberry, raspberry, or apricot jam all work wonderfully as tasty variations.