Strawberries sparkle on vines throughout Japan. Elegant patisseries showcase the red jewels atop cakes and ice cream sundaes. Strawberries are also consistently combined with chocolate. As a child in Tokyo, I always tried to make my chocolate strawberry lollipop last as long as possible.

Apollo: One of many popular strawberry chocolates in Japan.

When Laura of The Spiced Life invited me to her Creative Cookie Exchange starring chocolate and berries, I was delighted to have an excuse to create an indulgent cookie inspired by ever-creative blogger Averie Sunshine of Averie Cooks' recipe and the trendy Manhattan Momofuku Milk Bar's compost cookies. (For your invite to join the Creative Cookie Exchange, scroll down to see the note from Laura.)

Hershey's Dark Chocolate Kisses add a deep chocolatey bite to the cookies.

My white chocolate cookie is stuffed with bits of Strawberry Pocky and Kit-Kat from Japan. The Japanese have taken America's Kit-Kat to another level by introducing flavors which include matcha green tea, wasabi (Japanese horse radish), ume (plum blossom) and strawberry.

Japanese Strawberry Kit-Kats

To my Strawberry Pocky Chocolate Cookies, I added American white and semi-sweet chocolate chips. I cut down on the sugar because white chocolate drinking powder was substituted for unsweetened baking cocoa. Surprisingly, the cookie is not that sweet. Happily, the strawberry Pocky and Kit-Kat flavors do shine. Still, next time, I might add a few more strawberry Pocky and Kit-Kats and chocolate chips. Of course, temper the cookie dough to the liking of your sweet tooth.

Strawberry Pocky Chocolate Cookies

Studding white chocolate cookies are Japanese Strawberry Pocky and Strawberry Kit-Kat. Chips of white and semi-sweet chocolate also speckle this whimsical take on traditional chocolate chip cookies. The recipe is inspired by Averie Cooks and Momofuku Milk Bar's Compost Cookies.

Yields approximately 60 small cookies.

Ingredients:

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup organic Sucanat sugar
¼ cup organic cane sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla powder
1 box (3.56 ounces) white chocolate pudding mix
¼ cup white cocoa mix (the kind that you add milk to and enjoy on a blustery winter day)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of sea salt
¼ cup chopped Strawberry Pocky
¼ cup chopped Strawberry Kit-Kats
¼ cup white chocolate chips
¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
5 ounces (almost half a bag) of Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Kisses, chopped

Directions:

With the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla bowl in a large bowl. After the ingredients are well blended (about 4 minutes), add the pudding mix and cocoa. (Remember to scrape the bowl often and between additions.) Next, pour in the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in the Pocky, Kit-Kats and chocolate chips.

Spray a mini ice cream scooper with butter flavored cooking spray. Onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, place mini mounds of cookie dough. Flatten gently with your fingertips.

Lightly cover the cookies with non-stick aluminum foil. Refrigerate or freeze cookie laden cookie sheets overnight. (Or at least 2 hours.)

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 8 minutes. (You should see golden edges on the cookies.) Cool for 3 to 5 minutes…Next, dive in! And enjoy!

Tips: With a spatula, scrape the mixing bowl between additions of ingredients. Do not use sugar free or cook ‘n serve pudding mixes. Also, feel free to substitute brown sugar for the Sucanat.

Strawberry Fun Facts: The plump, ruddy-faced fruits are popular at tables around the world.

Photo Courtesy of 123rf.com

Strawberries from Kent - the Garden of England – splashed with cream are traditional teatime treats served during the Wimbledon tennis tournament. (At the stadium, close to 28,000 kilos (60,000 pounds) of strawberries and 7,000 liters (more than 1,800 gallons) of cream are served.)
In Germany, a party in May is not a true party until Erdbeer Bowle - strawberries swirled in with German sparkling wines - appears.
New York style cheesecakes commonly boast the ruby gems. Also, when too shy to say, “I love you”, many an American boy has offered up a strawberry covered chocolate to an attractive girl.
Since the 1800s, when the Japanese adopted the Western fruit, Japan has become the world’s largest producer and consumer of strawberries. Many Japanese and ex-pats enjoy strawberry picking excursions. Here are two links which cater to the English speaker in Japan.

Japan Guide

Yokoso-Japan

The theme this month is Berries and Chocolate--because we all have a little spring fever! Creative Cookie Exchange has decided to stop using the linky. What this means is that the only way to join in the fun is to become a host. Just contact Laura at thespicedlife AT gmail DOT com and I will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links.

You can also just use us as a great resource for cookie recipes--be sure to check out our Facebook page, our Pinterest Board, and our monthly posts. You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month! Also, if you are looking for inspiration to get in the kitchen and start baking, check out what all of the hosting bloggers have made:

Wishing you a berry delightful week!

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

#Chocolate Cookies recipe

Japanese #Pocky

Kit-Kat

#Creative Cookie Exchange

The Ninja Baker - Kit-Kat

Strawberry Pocky Chocolate Cookies, #Creative Cookie Exchange

Strawberry Pocky Chocolate Cookies