Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper oven temperature is important because it helps the cookies spread evenly while developing lightly golden edges.

While the oven is heating, prepare your baking sheet. The cookies can be baked directly on an ungreased baking sheet. Make sure the sheet is clean and completely dry before adding the cookie dough.

Having the oven fully preheated before baking ensures consistent results and prevents uneven spreading.

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Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, add the all purpose flour, salt, and baking soda.

Whisk the ingredients together thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed. This simple step helps ensure that the baking soda is spread throughout the flour mixture, allowing the cookies to rise evenly during baking.

Mixing the dry ingredients separately also helps prevent pockets of baking soda from ending up in the finished cookies.

Set the bowl aside while preparing the wet ingredients.

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Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Place the softened butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Add both the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the butter.

Mix the ingredients together until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and well combined. This process incorporates air into the dough, helping create a soft texture in the finished cookies.

The combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar provides the ideal balance of flavor and texture. The granulated sugar contributes structure while the brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness.

Take your time during this stage because properly creamed butter and sugar create the foundation for a great cookie.

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Step 4: Add the Egg, Vanilla, and Orange Zest

Once the butter and sugar mixture looks creamy and smooth, add the egg.

Next, add the vanilla paste and freshly grated orange zest.

Continue mixing until everything is fully incorporated and the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.

The orange zest is a small ingredient that makes a big difference. It enhances the sweetness of the strawberries and adds a subtle citrus aroma that brightens the entire cookie.

Pause and scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula. This ensures all ingredients are mixed evenly and prevents unmixed butter or sugar from remaining along the edges.

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Step 5: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.

Mix on low speed just until the flour disappears into the dough.

Avoid overmixing at this stage. Overworking the flour can develop excess gluten, which may result in cookies that are tougher instead of soft and tender.

The goal is to create a dough that is fully combined while remaining light and delicate.

Once the dough comes together, stop mixing.

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Step 6: Fold in the White Chocolate Chips

Add the white chocolate chips to the dough.

Mix briefly until the chips are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

The white chocolate adds creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the strawberries. Every scoop of dough should contain a balanced amount of chocolate for consistent flavor throughout the batch.

Be careful not to overmix during this step. A few turns of the mixer or gentle folding with a spatula is all that is needed.

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Step 7: Add the Fresh Strawberries

Gently add the diced fresh strawberries to the cookie dough.

Mix only until the strawberries are distributed throughout the dough.

Fresh strawberries contain moisture, so handling them gently helps maintain their shape and prevents them from breaking down too much during mixing.

The strawberries provide bursts of juicy flavor throughout the cookies and create a beautiful contrast against the creamy white chocolate.

Once combined, the dough is ready for scooping.

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Step 8: Portion the Cookie Dough

Using a small ice cream scoop or cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the baking sheet.

Leave approximately two inches of space between each cookie. This spacing allows the cookies to spread naturally as they bake without touching one another.

Using a scoop helps ensure all cookies are the same size, which promotes even baking and consistent texture.

Try to distribute the strawberries evenly among the portions so every cookie contains plenty of fruit.

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Step 9: Bake Until Lightly Golden

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.

Watch for lightly golden edges while the centers remain soft. This is the ideal stage for removing them from the oven.

The cookies may appear slightly underdone in the center, but they will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

Avoid overbaking because the strawberries can lose moisture and the cookies may become dry.

The finished cookies should have lightly golden edges and a soft, tender center.

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Step 10: Cool the Cookies Properly

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes.

This short cooling period helps the cookies firm up enough to be transferred without breaking.

After 5 minutes, carefully move the cookies to a wire rack.

Allow them to cool completely before serving.

Cooling on a wire rack prevents excess moisture from becoming trapped underneath the cookies and helps maintain the perfect texture.

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Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooled, the cookies are ready to enjoy.

The combination of juicy strawberries, creamy white chocolate, fragrant vanilla, and bright orange zest creates a cookie that feels both comforting and refreshing.

These cookies are delicious served slightly warm or at room temperature. They also pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.

The soft texture and fruity flavor make them an excellent choice for parties, brunches, spring celebrations, and everyday baking.