The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m Inaya, and if you’ve ever walked through a Cretan market on a warm spring day, you know the joy of spotting baskets full of ruby-red strawberries, their fragrance filling the air. Growing up on the island, I’d help my grandmother pick the ripest ones to make jams or spoon sweets. But one day, inspired by an American friend who introduced me to shortcake, I decided to mix a bit of Greece with a touch of American comfort. That’s how these Strawberry Shortcake Crumble Cookies were born.
These cookies are everything I love about baking simple, cheerful, and filled with love. They’re soft, buttery, and layered with a crumble that melts in your mouth, perfectly balanced by bursts of strawberry flavor. They remind me that even when life gets a little messy (and flour dusts every corner of my kitchen), sweet moments are always worth it.
If you’re looking for something that feels like sunshine in cookie form, these Strawberry Shortcake Crumble Cookies are your perfect match. They’re great for sharing with family, gifting to friends, or simply treating yourself with a cup of afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these dreamy Strawberry Shortcake Crumble Cookies.
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Strawberry Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Strawberry Filling (optional but heavenly):
- ½ cup strawberry jam or preserves
Tip: You can substitute the strawberry jam with fresh diced strawberries tossed in sugar for a fruitier texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2–3 minutes. The mixture should look pale and creamy that’s when you know it’s perfect.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until fully combined. The aroma will already start to fill your kitchen it’s the scent of sweetness and home.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix we want these cookies to stay tender.
Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Crumble
In a small bowl, mix the crushed freeze-dried strawberries, flour, sugar, and melted butter until crumbly. This topping is what makes these cookies magical sweet, slightly tangy, and beautifully pink.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop cookie dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten each slightly, add a small spoonful of strawberry jam in the center, and sprinkle generously with crumble.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Serving & Storage
These Strawberry Shortcake Crumble Cookies are best enjoyed slightly warm, when the crumble is crisp, and the strawberry filling is soft and jammy. Serve them with a glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of white chocolate for an extra indulgent twist.
They’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days though I doubt they’ll last that long!
Print
Strawberry Shortcake Crumble Cookies – A Sweet and Buttery Treat to Brighten Your Day
These Strawberry Shortcake Crumble Cookies are buttery, soft, and filled with the bright flavor of strawberries. Topped with a sweet crumble and baked to golden perfection, they combine the comfort of homemade shortcake with the magic of a cookie. Perfect for tea time, gifting, or sweet moments shared with loved ones.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
For the Strawberry Crumble Topping:
½ cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Strawberry Filling (optional):
½ cup strawberry jam or preserves
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry mixture to the wet until a soft dough forms.
Make the crumble: Mix crushed freeze-dried strawberries, flour, sugar, and melted butter until crumbly.
Assemble cookies: Scoop dough into balls, flatten slightly, add a teaspoon of strawberry jam in the center, and sprinkle with crumble.
Bake 10–12 minutes or until edges turn golden.
Cool on wire rack and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For extra flavor, drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies.
Substitute freeze-dried strawberries with raspberries for a fun twist.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Inaya’s Little Note
What I love most about these cookies is how they blend the simplicity of shortcake with a touch of Greek warmth. My grandmother used to say, “The best desserts are the ones you share.” So, bake a batch, share them with someone you love, and enjoy how the sweetness connects you no matter where you’re from.
Quick 100-Word Version
Hi, I’m Inaya from Crete! These Strawberry Shortcake Crumble Cookies are buttery, soft, and filled with the sweet flavor of strawberries. They combine the warmth of Greek home baking with a touch of American shortcake magic. Made with a buttery dough, strawberry jam filling, and a crumbly strawberry topping, these cookies are pure comfort. They’re easy to make, perfect for any occasion, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Bake, share, and enjoy because love always tastes better when it’s baked into something sweet. 🍓