There’s something truly magical about these soft, fruity treats that feel like summer in every bite. This Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is a little different from your usual cookie—bright, tender, and topped with a luscious strawberry glaze that’s impossible to resist.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made countless cookies, but these strawberry cake mix cookies always steal the show for me. They’re surprisingly simple to whip up, yet deliver a fresh burst of strawberry flavor with a soft, tender texture that feels a little like cake and a little like cookie—all at once!
- Easy to Make: Using a cake mix gives you a shortcut to deliciousness without any complicated steps.
- Vibrant Strawberry Flavor: The strawberry preserves glaze on top adds that extra pop of fresh fruitiness.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies are tender yet have enough chew to satisfy a cookie craving.
- Customizable: You can tweak the size, add white chocolate chips, or swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this strawberry cake mix cookies recipe plays a key role in getting that perfect texture and flavor. Using a boxed cake mix not only simplifies baking but also infuses strawberry flavor right from the start—no guesswork involved.
- Strawberry Cake Mix: This is the star ingredient. Picking a box with real strawberry flavor sets the tone for the entire cookie.
- Eggs: They bind everything together and help the cookies rise just right.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and keeps these cookies tender instead of dry or cakey.
- Powdered Sugar: Used in the glaze for a smooth, sweet finish that melts in your mouth.
- Strawberry Preserves: Packed with real fruit, it brightens up the glaze and enhances the strawberry notes.
- Half and Half: Just a splash softens the glaze to a perfect consistency for drizzling.
Make It Your Way
Everyone loves putting their spin on recipes, and I’m no exception with these strawberry cake mix cookies. They’re like a blank canvas—you can keep them simple or jazz them up with add-ons and tweaks to fit your mood and pantry.
- Variation: I love adding a handful of white chocolate chips to the dough for a creamy contrast. It turns every bite into a delightful surprise!
- Dietary Mods: Don’t have eggs on hand or want to avoid them? Swapping in ½ cup unsweetened applesauce is a perfect egg substitute and keeps the cookies moist.
- Size Adjustments: Using a 1-tablespoon scoop makes smaller cookies—perfect for bite-sized treats. Just reduce baking time to 8 minutes, and you’re good to go.
- Fruit Boost: Feel free to experiment with raspberry or blackberry preserves in the glaze for a different berry twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Magic
I start by preheating the oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to avoid any sticking. Then, I grab a medium mixing bowl and toss in the strawberry cake mix, room-temperature eggs, and vegetable oil. Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, I blend it just until everything comes together—don’t try to overmix here; the dough will be quite thick, which is exactly what you want.
Step 2: Scoop and Bake
Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, I portion out the dough onto the prepared cookie sheet—leaving about 2 inches between each cookie so they have room to spread slightly. Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes. I keep a close eye near the end because you want the edges just barely golden to make sure they stay soft inside. Once done, let them rest on the sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack—that little wait helps them firm up just the right amount.
Step 3: Whip Up the Glaze
While the cookies bake, I make the glaze by combining powdered sugar, strawberry preserves, and half and half in a small bowl. Stir or whisk until the mixture is smooth and pourable—no lumps allowed! This glaze is where the cookies transform from lovely to absolutely irresistible.
Step 4: Glaze and Enjoy
Once the cookies have completely cooled, I spoon the glaze over each one generously. Then comes the hardest part: waiting for the glaze to set so it doesn’t all slide off when you pick up a cookie. Patience totally pays off here!
Top Tip
Having made these cookies a dozen times, I’ve learned some sweet little tricks that make the process smoother and results even better. These tips will save you from common pitfalls and help you make the most delicious strawberry cake mix cookies every single time.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before moving; it helps them set up perfectly without falling apart.
- Glaze Timing: Always wait until the cookies are completely cool before glazing, so the glaze sticks rather than melts away.
- Scoop Size Matters: For uniform cookies that bake evenly, use a cookie scoop rather than measuring spoons or guessing.
- Frozen Dough Hack: If you freeze the dough balls, just add an extra 5-7 minutes to baking time—this saves prep time on busy days but still delivers fresh cookies.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple and delicious by sprinkling a little freeze-dried strawberry powder on top of the glaze for extra color and flavor. Fresh strawberry slices also add a pretty, natural touch when serving guests.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert or alongside a cup of tea or coffee for afternoon indulgence. Fresh berries on the side amplify the strawberry vibe perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party, I’ve arranged smaller versions of these cookies on a dessert platter surrounded by edible flowers and fresh mint leaves—it makes the table look festive and inviting. You could also stack them with layers of whipped cream for a playful cookie cake.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering wax paper between them to prevent stickiness. They stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days—though they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
If I want to bake ahead, freezing the cookie dough balls works like a charm. They keep perfectly in the freezer for about 2 months. When I’m ready to bake, I pop them straight from freezer to oven and just extend the baking time by 5-7 minutes. Fresh cookies on demand—yes, please!
Reheating
To warm up leftovers, I gently heat cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This brings back the soft, fresh-from-the-oven feel without drying them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While strawberry cake mix gives you that perfect berry kick, you can experiment with other flavors like vanilla or lemon for a fun twist. Just keep in mind the glaze flavor might need adjusting to complement the cookie.
No worries if you don’t have half and half on hand. You can substitute it with milk or even heavy cream thinned with a bit of water. The goal is to get a glaze with a smooth, drizzle-able consistency.
Yes! Use ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce in place of two eggs to keep the cookies moist and soft without changing the texture much. It’s a great option for anyone avoiding eggs.
Look for edges that are just starting to turn golden but don’t wait until the whole cookie looks fully browned. This ensures the center stays soft and chewy rather than drying out. Also, a gentle touch after baking helps—cookies will firm up as they cool.
Final Thoughts
These strawberry cake mix cookies hold a special place in my recipe box because they’re so easy to make and always impress with their fresh flavor and tender crumb. Whether you’re baking for family, a party, or yourself (hey, no judgments here!), this recipe is a lovely way to bring a little sweetness and color to your day. Give it a try—I promise you’ll come back to these cookies again and again.
Print
Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Strawberry Sheet Cake Cookies featuring a tender, moist crumb made with strawberry cake mix and a luscious strawberry glaze. Perfectly sweet and fruity, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounces box strawberry cake mix
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup strawberry preserves
- 2 tablespoons half and half
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Mix the dough: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Use a handheld mixer on medium speed to blend the ingredients until just combined; the dough will be thick.
- Form and bake cookies: Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after baking.
- Prepare the glaze: While the cookies bake, whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry preserves, and half and half in a small bowl until smooth.
- Cool and glaze: Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, spoon the glaze over the cookies and allow it to set before serving.
Notes
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days; separate layers with wax paper.
- Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 2 months; bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to baking time.
- Add white chocolate chips to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
- Use a 1-tablespoon scoop for smaller cookies and reduce baking time to 8 minutes accordingly.
- For an egg-free version, substitute the 2 eggs with ½ cup applesauce.
- Allow cookies to rest on the cookie sheet after baking to finish setting before transferring to a rack.
- Wait until cookies are completely cooled before applying glaze to avoid melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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