Valentine’s Day just isn’t complete without something sweet to share, and these Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies have been my go-to for years. Picture this: rich chocolate dough swirled with sweet strawberry jam, fresh from the oven with that perfect soft center. I first made these for my husband when we were dating, and now they’re our little tradition, messy fingers and all. The best part? They’re so simple, even if you’re not a baker, you’ll feel like a pro. Trust me, one bite and you’ll understand why these cookies disappear faster than heart-shaped chocolates!
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies
Let me tell you why these cookies are about to become your new favorite thing:
- They’re foolproof: No fancy techniques here, just simple mixing and swirling that even beginner bakers can master.
- The flavor combo is magic: Rich chocolate and sweet strawberry jam create that perfect balance between decadent and fruity.
- They look impressive: Those pretty swirls make them look like you spent hours decorating (our little secret!).
- Perfect for sharing: These cookies spread joy, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, galentine’s brunch, or just because.
- They smell heavenly: Your kitchen will fill with the most amazing chocolate-strawberry aroma while they bake.
Honestly? The hardest part is waiting for them to cool before eating!
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Irresistible Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies in 30 Minutes
Delicious chocolate strawberry swirl cookies perfect for Valentine’s Day. These treats are easy to make and great for sharing.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet. Swirl strawberry jam into each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For a stronger strawberry flavor, add a few drops of strawberry extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Ingredients for Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients is half the battle with these cookies, and luckily, they’re all simple pantry staples you probably already have! Here’s what you’ll need to make that perfect chocolate-strawberry magic happen:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, not packed (trust me, this makes a difference in texture!)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder, go for the good stuff here, not the baking cocoa. That rich Dutch-processed kind gives the best chocolate flavor.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda, just enough to give them that perfect little lift without making them cakey
- 1/4 tsp salt, don’t skip this! It balances all the sweetness beautifully.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, I leave mine out for about 30 minutes before baking, it should give slightly when pressed but not be greasy.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar, the perfect amount to sweeten without overwhelming the strawberry
- 1 large egg, room temperature is ideal here (just pop it in warm water for 5 minutes if you forgot to take it out!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract, the real stuff, please! That imitation vanilla just won’t do these justice.
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam, I prefer seedless for smooth swirls, but chunky works too if you like texture
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, these are optional but oh-so-good when melted on top after baking
See? Nothing too fancy, just good quality ingredients combined the right way. Now let’s make some cookie magic!
How to Make Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies
Alright, let’s get baking! I promise these come together so easily you’ll wonder why you haven’t made them before. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfect swirl cookies in no time.
Mixing the Dough
First things first, preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper while you’re at it (trust me, it makes cleanup a breeze). Now let’s make the dough:
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in one bowl. This is your “dry team”, make sure they’re fully combined with no cocoa lumps hiding in there.
- In another bowl (your “wet team”), beat the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes with a hand mixer. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks almost like whipped cream!
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined, don’t overmix here or your cookies might get tough.
- Now gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until everything comes together into a thick dough. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl when it’s ready.
Swirling in the Strawberry Jam
Here’s where the magic happens! You’ll want to work quickly here so the dough stays soft and easy to work with:
- Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart (they’ll spread a little).
- Use the back of a spoon to make a small indentation in each cookie. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry jam right in the center.
- Now take a toothpick or knife and gently swirl the jam into the dough, just 2-3 loops is perfect! Too much swirling and the jam will mix completely in, we want those pretty swirls to show.
Baking and Cooling
Almost there! Now for the final steps:
- Pop those beauties in the oven for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges look set but the centers still seem slightly soft. Don’t wait for them to look fully baked or they’ll be dry!
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, this helps them set up so they don’t fall apart when you move them.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. (Okay, who am I kidding? I always eat one warm with melty jam, but they do firm up perfectly when fully cooled!)
See? Told you it was easy! Now for the hardest part… waiting for them to cool enough to eat without burning your tongue.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies
After making these cookies more times than I can count, I’ve learned all the little tricks to get them just right:
- Butter matters: Seriously, take the time to soften your butter properly, it should dent when pressed but still feel cool. Too soft and your cookies will spread too much.
- Jam technique: Warm your jam slightly (10 seconds in the microwave) for easier swirling. Just don’t make it hot!
- Baking sheet wisdom: Use light-colored pans and rotate them halfway through baking for even cooking. Dark pans can make the bottoms too dark.
- Storage secret: Keep a slice of bread in your cookie container, it keeps them soft for days by absorbing excess moisture.
- Extra love: Sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on top right after baking, it makes the flavors pop!
These little tweaks make all the difference between good cookies and “oh-my-goodness” cookies!
Variations for Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies
Want to mix things up? Here are my favorite twists on this recipe that still deliver that perfect swirl magic:
- Berry swap: Try raspberry or blackberry jam instead of strawberry, the tartness pairs beautifully with the chocolate.
- Chocolate change-up: Use dark chocolate chips instead of white for a more intense chocolate flavor.
- Citrus zing: Add orange zest to the dough and use orange marmalade for a chocolate-orange dream.
- Nutty crunch: Fold in 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts or almonds for extra texture.
The possibilities are endless, have fun making these your own! If you are looking for other great dessert ideas, check out what Family Tastes has to offer.
Storing and Reheating Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies
Here’s the good news, these cookies stay delicious for days if you store them right! I always use an airtight container with a piece of parchment between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, though let’s be real, they rarely last that long in my house. For longer storage, freeze them in a ziplock bag (they’ll keep for 2 months). To revive that fresh-baked magic, pop a frozen cookie in the microwave for 10 seconds or warm it in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Just enough to make the jam gooey again, pure bliss!
Nutritional Information for Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cookies
Okay, let’s be real, we’re not eating these cookies because they’re health food! But if you’re curious about what’s in each delicious bite, here’s the breakdown per cookie (based on my exact recipe):
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g (3g saturated)
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
Now, here’s my baker’s disclaimer, these numbers can change depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use and how big you make your cookies. My measurements are averages, but your homemade version might vary slightly. Honestly though? When something tastes this good, I’m not counting, I’m too busy enjoying every chocolatey, strawberry-swirled bite!
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve gotten so many questions about these cookies over the years, here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely! These freeze like a dream. Just let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep for 2 months frozen. Thaw at room temperature or give them a quick 10-second zap in the microwave for that fresh-baked feel.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Oh, I’ve been there! Usually it’s one of three things: butter was too soft, dough wasn’t chilled enough, or the baking soda is old. For perfect thickness, I sometimes pop the shaped dough in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking, works like a charm!
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of jam?
While I love the idea, fresh berries add too much moisture and make the cookies soggy. If you want that fresh strawberry flavor, try reducing some chopped strawberries with a bit of sugar to make your own thick jam-like consistency first.
How do I get those perfect swirls?
The secret is in the wrist! Use about 1/2 teaspoon jam per cookie and swirl gently with a toothpick, just 2-3 figure-eight motions. Too much swirling blends the jam in completely. And slightly warmed jam (not hot!) swirls more easily without tearing the dough.
Can I make these gluten-free?
You bet! I’ve had great results using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum. The texture might be slightly more delicate, but the flavor is just as amazing. For more baking inspiration, check out these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies.
I can’t tell you how much it makes my day when I hear about your cookie adventures! Whether it’s your first time making them or they’ve become your go-to treat like mine, I’d love to hear your stories. Did you add a special twist? Maybe you burned the first batch (we’ve all been there!) or discovered the perfect jam-swirling technique? Drop a comment below, your tips might help another baker get their swirls just right. If you are looking for other Valentine’s treats, you might enjoy these Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies.
And oh! If you snap a photo of your beautiful cookies, tag me on Instagram, nothing brings me more joy than seeing those chocolatey strawberry swirls on your kitchen counters. Some of you have sent me photos of cookies you made for anniversaries, Galentine’s parties, or just because days, and each one makes me smile. Baking is about sharing the love, after all, both in the giving and the telling! For more decadent chocolate options, take a look at these Chocolate Cheesecake Cups.