Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a unique cookie that bursts with fresh, fruity flavor, you’re going to love this Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I stumbled upon when wanting something different from the usual chocolate chip and honestly, it quickly became a favorite in my kitchen. The secret? Using frozen raspberries both in the dough and as a homemade syrup to infuse these cookies with a vibrant raspberry punch — even when fresh raspberries aren’t in season! Stick with me, and I’ll share how to get these cookies just right every time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Frozen Raspberries Shine: Using frozen raspberries keeps the fruit flavor vibrant without adding too much moisture to the dough.
- Homemade Raspberry Syrup: Simmering frozen raspberries into syrup intensifies the berry flavor naturally and adds sweetness without artificial flavor.
- Chilling the Dough: Freezing the dough is a must—it prevents spreading so your cookies keep a perfect shape and texture.
- Gluten-Free Friendly: This recipe uses gluten-free flour but I’ve also shared alternatives to easily make it vegan or with all-purpose flour if that’s your preference.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe lies in its carefully selected ingredients that balance texture and flavor perfectly—without any fuss.
- Frozen Raspberries: Perfect for year-round raspberry flavor, they hold their shape and avoid extra moisture that fresh ones might add.
- Granulated Sugar: Vital for sweetness and that classic crisp cookie edge, used both in dough and coating.
- Gluten-Free Flour with Xanthan Gum: Provides structure and chewiness—if you don’t need gluten free, all-purpose flour works too.
- Cornstarch: Adds tenderness and lightens up the dough so cookies aren’t dense.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft bite.
- Unsalted Butter (or vegan baking stick): Brings richness and flavor; room temperature ensures smooth creaming.
- Milk: Adds moisture to keep the texture soft, use any dairy or plant-based milk you prefer.
- Red Food Coloring (optional): Just a few drops for that lovely pink hint that makes the cookies pop visually.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of my favorite things about this Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I sometimes switch up the berry syrup part using blackberries or mixed berries if I’m feeling adventurous. You can also tailor them to dietary preferences without losing that wonderful raspberry kick.
- Variation: For a dairy-free option, I swap out butter for a vegan baking stick and use almond milk – it still tastes incredibly rich.
- Texture Twist: I’ve added chopped white chocolate chunks for a little melty sweetness that pairs beautifully with the tart raspberry bits.
- Size matters: If you prefer bite-sized treats, use a smaller scoop and simply reduce baking time by a couple of minutes.
- Color boost: A dab of beetroot powder can boost pink tones naturally without artificial dyes.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe
Step 1: Make the Raspberry Syrup
Start by simmering the frozen raspberries with sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Don’t rush this—stir often for about 10 minutes until the raspberries break down into a syrupy, somewhat chunky consistency. I like to strain mine through a mesh colander to keep the seeds out but still capture the luscious liquid. Let it cool while we prep the dough—that syrup is where your cookies get their real fruit punch!
Step 2: Prepare Your Ingredients and Dough Base
Chop your frozen raspberries roughly—don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with a mushy mess. Toss them back into the freezer right away so they stay firm until mixing. Then whisk together the dry ingredients: gluten free flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. This mix gives your cookies a tender crumb while holding everything together nicely.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Wet Ingredients
Using your mixer, cream butter with sugar until fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is essential to get that soft, creamy base. Next, slowly mix in the cornstarch-water mixture, milk, and cooled raspberry syrup. The mix will look chunky and pretty pink at this point—that’s exactly how you want it before adding the flour.
Step 4: Bring it All Together and Fold in Raspberries
Gradually mix in your dry ingredients until just combined; over-mixing can make the cookies tough. If you like, add red food coloring drops here for that classic raspberry pink. Finally, carefully fold in the frozen chopped raspberries. I gently use a spatula here to keep the raspberries intact and avoid releasing excess juice, which can make the dough slimy.
Step 5: Chill the Dough—Don’t Skip This!
This is a total game-changer: cover your dough tightly and freeze it for at least an hour. Trust me, if you skip this or refrigerate instead, your cookies will spread far too much and lose that lovely round shape. Freezing firms up the dough so your cookies bake up thick and perfect.
Step 6: Scoop, Sugar-Coat, and Bake
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Use a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to portion dough balls, then roll each ball in the reserved granulated sugar for a lovely crunch on the outside. Space them 3-4 inches apart on parchment-lined sheets. I bake mine in batches of six, popping any extra dough back into the freezer so it stays firm. Bake for 15 minutes.
Step 7: Reshape Immediately, Then Cool
When the cookies come out, they’ll be soft and might look a bit messy. Use a spatula right away to gently push them back into perfect circles while they’re still hot. This step prevents crumbling later. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. I learned the hard way that skipping this leads to cookie disasters, so take your time here!
Pro Tips for Making Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe
- Keep Raspberries Frozen: Always fold in raspberries while frozen and keep dough chilled to avoid too much juice leaking out.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Freezing dough is non-negotiable here; it controls spreading for perfectly shaped cookies.
- Gentle Folding: Use a spatula, not a mixer, to fold frozen raspberries so the dough stays beautiful and not slimy.
- Shape Right Away: Reshaping hot cookies right out of the oven guarantees even, sturdy cookies that don’t crumble.
How to Serve Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top before baking for extra sparkle and crunch. Occasionally, I dust a tiny pinch of powdered sugar immediately before serving to give a hint of snowy sweetness. Fresh mint leaves do wonders too when you want a fresh herbal note.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair delightfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a simple dollop of whipped cream for an easy dessert fix. For tea time, I enjoy pairing them with a light green tea or a fruity herbal blend that complements but doesn’t overpower the raspberry notes.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange the cookies on a tiered dessert stand garnished with fresh raspberries and edible flowers—it’s simple but adds a wow factor. You can also sandwich two cookies together with cream cheese frosting for an elegant treat perfect for brunch or gifting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which helps them maintain their soft texture. They usually keep great for up to three days, though mine rarely last that long once family gets their hands on them!
Freezing
If I make a big batch, I wrap individual dough balls tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. These can be frozen for up to 30 days and baked straight from the freezer, just add a minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
To warm leftover cookies, I pop them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds—it revives that soft, fresh-baked feeling and makes the raspberries taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
-
Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen for this recipe?
You can, but fresh raspberries have more moisture so your dough might get soggy and the cookies might spread more. If you want to use fresh, I recommend reducing any added liquids slightly and chilling the dough longer to compensate.
-
Why is it important to freeze the dough?
Freezing the dough solidifies the fats and firms up the berries, which stops the cookies from spreading too much and helps them keep their shape during baking. Without freezing, the cookies may become flat and greasy.
-
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Absolutely! Just swap out the butter for a vegan baking stick, use a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and ensure your sugar and food coloring are vegan-friendly. The texture and flavor remain deliciously similar.
-
How big should the cookies be?
The recipe recommends using a large 2-ounce scoop for about 12 cookies, giving you a generous size. If you prefer smaller cookies, use a smaller scoop and reduce baking time slightly. Either way, make sure to freeze the dough between batches for best results.
Final Thoughts
This Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe has become my go-to when I want something that feels special but is surprisingly easy to make. That raspberry syrup combined with frozen berries creates a unique flavor that’s both tart and sweet without overpowering your taste buds. Give it a try—I promise once you taste these, they’ll be a permanent favorite in your cookie rotation. And hey, if you’ve got friends coming over, just imagine the looks when you say they’re made with frozen raspberries. You’ll be the kitchen hero for sure!
Print
Raspberry Cookies with Frozen Raspberries Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 large cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These gluten free raspberry cookies are soft, flavorful, and beautifully marbled with fresh frozen raspberries and homemade raspberry syrup. The dough is carefully prepared, chilled, and baked to perfection, resulting in large, tender cookies with a subtle fruity sweetness and a delicate rosy hue. Perfect as a delightful snack or dessert for anyone craving a fruity, gluten free treat.
Ingredients
For the Raspberry Syrup
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
For the Cookies
- 2 cups multipurpose gluten free flour
- 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter or vegan baking stick, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 2 rounded tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons raspberry syrup
- 3 drops red food coloring
- ½ cup frozen raspberries, chopped into tiny pieces
Instructions
- Make Raspberry Syrup: In a saucepan set over medium heat, combine ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 cup frozen raspberries. Stir constantly and cook until the raspberries break down and the mixture becomes syrupy, about 10 minutes. Pour through a mesh colander into a bowl to strain, and let the syrup cool. You should have about 2-3 tablespoons of syrup.
- Prepare Chopped Raspberries: Measure ½ cup frozen raspberries and rough chop into tiny pieces. Place them in a freezer-safe bowl and return to the freezer until ready to fold into the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups gluten free flour, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder, 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside.
- Prepare Cornstarch Mixture: In a small bowl, mix 2 rounded tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water until smooth and watery. It will be thick at first but should become more liquid.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, beat ½ cup room temperature unsalted butter and 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar together until soft and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Slowly beat in the cornstarch water mixture, 3 tablespoons milk, and the cooled raspberry syrup. The mixture will be pink and slightly chunky.
- Combine Flour Mixture: Gradually add the gluten free flour mixture a little at a time, mixing just until combined.
- Add Food Coloring: Add 3-4 drops of red food coloring if desired and mix gently to blend the color throughout the dough.
- Fold in Raspberries: Gently fold in the frozen chopped raspberries with a spatula to prevent the dough from becoming slimy. The dough will form a marbled pink color.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading when baked.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape Cookies: Use a 2-ounce large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to form 12 large dough balls. Roll each dough ball in the reserved 2 tablespoons granulated sugar to coat completely.
- Bake Cookies: Place dough balls 3-4 inches apart on the prepared sheet. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Bake in batches if necessary, keeping extra dough balls frozen.
- Shape and Cool: Immediately after baking, use a spatula to gently reshape the cookies into circles. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For smaller cookies, use a small cookie scoop and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 minutes. Keep the dough frozen between batches.
- To make vegan cookies, use dairy-free gluten-free flour, vegan sugar, vegan baking sticks, non-dairy milk, and vegan red food coloring.
- All-purpose flour can be substituted if gluten is not an issue; use 2 packed cups (336 grams) and still chill the dough.
- Store extra baked cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze extra dough balls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a zip-top bag for up to 30 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
