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Strawberry Brownies are a super simple springtime dessert that comes together easily with just a few pantry and fridge staples like cake mix, cream cheese, and egg with some fresh strawberries for garnish.
Want more strawberry treats? Try my Strawberry Shortcake or my Fresh Strawberry Cake!
Why We Love This Recipe
These epic strawberry brownies are a new favorite because they are super easy to make and so delicious. Everyone loves them!
- Sweet and Creamy – The recipe starts with cake mix, eggs, and oil. I love to add cream cheese to cake mix bars to give them a super moist and creamy texture. These strawberry cake mix brownies are rich like a brownie, with the sweet tanginess of strawberries.
- Fresh Strawberries! The addition of the fresh strawberries on top not only just looks really pretty but they add a bit of texture as well and they are perfect for strawberry lovers!
- Party Perfect – These gorgeous pink bars are perfect for parties, baby showers, and high tea because they look so elegant. No one will know they actually came from a box of cake mix!
- Snack or Dessert – But they are a delicious after-school snack too, or served as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
recipe walk-through
How To Make Strawberry Brownies From Cake Mix
This formula can of course be adjusted to any flavoring or fillings like lemon extract or chocolate chips. This is really a base recipe for cake mix brownies, but today we’re using it for strawberry.
Mix the ingredients for the batter (cake mix, cream cheese, vegetable oil and one egg). I recommend using a hand mixer as the batter will be thick.
Press the batter into an 8-inch baking pan. Use your hands of a silicone spatula.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. The edges should just begin to brown and the center should be mostly set. Cool completely before adding the glaze, or slice and serve once cool if you are forgoing the topping.
Whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry jam and heavy cream. Add more cream for a thinner consistency. Pour the glaze onto the brownies and let it set for at least 15 minutes. Top with fresh berries if desired.
Storage Tips
The Best Way to Store Brownies
These brownies are best eaten within a couple of days. Because of their soft and creamy texture, I store these in the refrigerator. They will last up to 5 days if you can keep from devouring them right away.
You can also freeze them, but the moisture from the strawberries may alter the texture as they defrost.
Recipe Tips
This strawberry brownie recipe is so easy! Instead of icing, I added cream cheese to the batter for a soft and gooey bar. With this easy recipe, you can make strawberry brownies in about 30 minutes!
- Use an electric mixer. This mixture is thick, which gives the brownies their dense texture, but it does make it a little difficult to mix by hand. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer will save your arms a workout.
- Don’t over mix. Over-mixing will result in a tough brownie, and no one wants that. Mix the batter in a medium mixing bowl just until no more of the dry powder is visible.
- Add mix-ins. For extra texture and flavor contrast, add a cup of white chocolate chips or mini semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter and fold them in just until combined. Freeze-dried strawberries would be a great addition too.
- Do not use fresh strawberries IN the batter – the moisture will keep the brownies from baking up properly.
- Strawberry Jam – Make sure to use seedless jam in the glaze.
- Cake Mix Brownies – If you’re not loving the gooeyness from the cream cheese, omit it and replace with an additional egg.
More Brownie Recipes
Strawberry Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- 13.25 ounce Box strawberry cake mix
- 1/3 cup Vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 Large egg
- 4 ounces Cream cheese
Glaze (optional)
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons Seedless strawberry jam
- 4 tablespoons Heavy cream (may need up to 6 tablespoons)
- Fresh strawberries optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a 7×11" or 8-9" square baking dish with parchment paper or foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer set to medium speed, combine the vegetable oil, egg(s), and cream cheese (if using) until well combined. Add in the strawberry cake mix, mixing until thoroughly combined. The batter will be very thick.
- Press the batter into the prepared baking dish with a silicone spatula or your fingers if necessary.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until edges are starting to brown and center looks mostly set. A toothpick should come out clean when poked into the center.
- Cool completely before glazing.
- After brownies have cooled completely, whisk the glaze ingredients in a medium bowl. You want an icing that has a pourable, but thick consistency. Start with 4 tablespoons of heavy cream, add in extra heavy cream a teaspoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Pour desired amount of glaze on top of brownies. Allow to set at least 15 minutes. The glaze will become crisp the longer it’s allowed to sit.
- Cut brownies into 9 pieces and top each with a halved strawberry immediately before serving.
Notes
- For a less gooey brownie, omit the cream cheese and add an extra egg.
- Make sure to dry out the strawberry slices. This will help keep your brownies from becoming soggy.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Can you omit the strawberries in the batter itself 🤔
Yes you can.
these are beautiful and so yummy! I added 1/2 cup white chocolate chips and 3T strawberry jam swirled in at the end, i baked in 8×8 pan and they needed 30 mins, still very gooey, fam loved them
Nice! Thanks for the feedback Nate.
Thank you for this recipe, I am using it for My Pink Party, for Breast Cancer Awareness Week!
I saw the recipe and I love strawberries and my husband eats anything so I tried following the recipe but I don’t know if its just my horrible baking skills but the batter wasn’t looking good so I had to improvise some. It turned out more like cake instead of a brownie, but still so good
Hi Anna, The batter won’t look like you expect so definitely give it a try before adjusting anything. Glad you still enjoyed it though.
Line an 7×11-inch or 8-9″ square baking dish
No baking time change for dish size.?
No mention of water?
Your instructions say
* 1 box Strawberry cake mix
* ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
* 1 egg
* 4 ounces cream cheese
* ½ cup thinly sliced fresh strawberries
I know I can’t be alone? 🤷🏼♀️
My beaters were a clump of taffy?
The cake mix box called for 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup water, 3 eggs.
I used 1/3 cup oil as you instructed, I used one egg & 4 ounces = one half bar of cream cheese.
Your instructions say
2 large eggs or 1 egg + 4 ounces cream cheese.
I definitely needed an additional egg, I added 3/4 cup water. I put it in an 8×8 because the recipe said square and this is my favorite “brownie” pan. This was a mess. I’m glad I bought two boxes. I’ll get another recipe with the proper ingredients, time, temperature and rectangle or BAR pan!
This isn’t a cake recipe, so you wouldn’t be following the instructions on the box. You don’t add water – that’s what made everything a mess for you. Next time just follow the recipe all the way through rather than trying to “fix” it.
What brand of cake mix do you generally use?
I buy whichever is on sale or that I have a coupon for.
I love this recipe!! I have made it a couple of times! Question: could I put a cream cheese swirl on top? I remember the batter being kind of thick so idk how that would come out
The batter has cream cheese in it. I don’t think a cream cheese swirl would work.
Ours turned out great! We used 2 eggs and 3 Tablespoons of Philadelphia Cream Cheese in the container not the block (I’m not sure if the kind matters or if the 3 tablespoons made a difference but cream cheese makes everything better!) They we’re perfect and I found them to be no sweeter than any other cake you make from a box following the normal cake recipe. We let them cool completely in the pan (glass 9×9) then removed from pan, placed on a serving dish, drizzled with the glaze, lightly dusted fresh glaze with hot pink sugar crystals and garnished with dark chocolate covered strawberries.
We also baked for 24 minutes in 350 degree oven
Love the feedback Brigette! Thanks for stopping by.
Can I use a 9×13 dish or should the recipe be doubled for that size
You could double the recipe for that size pan but would need to cook them longer as well.
I did the extra egg instead of cream cheese. Very good flavor, but I’m sure the cream cheese would have put them where they need to be. A nice change from the common brownie. I used the “all squares” pan from Pampered Chef. They were quite thick so I cut them made diagonally into triangles. A little powdered sugar and granny’s old plate. They look great!
I got the idea of the freeze dried strawberries from your list of Mix ins. Why would you suggest it and then reject it as not a good idea?
I think I mis-read your first comment. I was thinking frozen strawberries. Freeze dried strawberries should be fine Definitely don’t wet them, just toss them in straight out of the package.
How you you add in the freeze dried strawberries in the batter? Never used before. Sounds like a good addiction. Do I put in from package? Wet them, then put in? Or what? Thanks for an answer.
I’d worry that they would end up adding moisture once they are in the batter and would be soggy. But no, I haven’t tried this.
This is awesome and my fam enjoyed it
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Ashleymg.
I went a little crazy with the strawberries on top – doubling the recommended amount. Topped with chocolate frosting (from the back of the Hershey’s Cocoa can). The strawberries didn’t dry out, turning into a a jam-like layer under the frosting. Too moist to last long but no matter, my family loved them and they were gone on the second day. Thank you for the recipe, I will definitely make these again!
You are so welcome Monica! Thanks for stopping by.
These were ridiculously easy but SO good! Have made these several times
Fantastic feedback Emily! Thanks for stopping by.
I have made these before and they were a big hit for my grandson whom just graduated and has requested them again, so guess what Im about to do! Great deesert and easy to make thanks
Hi. Do you put in fridge or can they be left out if there are leftovers? Same question for the Milky Way brownies.
They are both best kept in the fridge, but honestly I prefer them chilled. The Milky Way brownies you might want to let them sit out for a few minutes so the candy can soften.
I was wondering can you freeze them?
I haven’t tried freezing them but yes I think it would be fine. Let them cool completely then wrap them up and place in a freezer bag fo up to 3 months.
how i can do Strawberry cake mix?
If you can’t find a box at your grocery store, you can find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/30VSKwb
Is this one egg or two eggs? Re-read the two recipes and you state in one with the mix and oil 2 eggs, then in the one at the end of the article, it states one egg and the cream cheese, but then down in the how to do it, it again states, eggs – plural. Which is it?
In the post, I share how to make brownies from any cake mix, and that basic recipe calls for 2 eggs. For the strawberry brownies I added cream cheese and omitted one egg for a gooeier texture. I updated the post to make this more clear. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Exactly how gooey are they supposed to be because I followed the recipe and even cooked a little longer than the 20 minutes (22) and they are very gooey! Almost like they aren’t even done
They are pretty gooey. Once they come out of the oven they will firm up a little bit. But they arent’ cakey at all.
Hi! Is this used with sweet cream cheese(the one in the frosting cup) or like regular cream cheese (the kind used on bagels)
It’s a regular brick of cream cheese.
Can this recipe be doubled? I cook at an assisted living for 15-16 residents?
Definitely! You could double or triple the recipe and just divide into as many pans as you need.
Hello! I wonder if you have a gluten free recipe for these? If not, could I use a yellow cake mix and add something like strawberry jello to batter?
Sorry, I don’t have a gluten free recipe for this and haven’t tried it with jello.
Would adding some strawberry frosting be overkill?
Also, separate scenario from the question above. Would adding kiwis with the strawberries be a worthwhile endeavor? Or would they not cook the same, or just have their flavor lost in all of the strawberry?
They are pretty sweet as is and really don’t need frosting. I think kiwis might add too much liquid.
Made these ‘pinkies’ with choc chips and my hubby loved them. Yum!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Celeste.
How much chocolate chips do you put in it and do you add them along with the cream cheese or instead of the cream cheese 🤔
I am super excited to try and make this for an upcoming party I have to attend. I am wondering, if I make the brownies by following the cream cheese recipe, can I still add white chocolate chips or would it not mesh well?
The brownies with the cream cheese are pretty chewy and gooey. I think the chips might sink to the bottom.
In one area it says use one egg and in another area it says two eggs?
Thanks,
The section that says two eggs is actually just a basic brownie recipe for any cake mix. When I make the strawberry version, I add cream cheese and one less egg.
Ohh that’s great thanks for the update
Hello! These look lovely and will be made in my kitchen hen VERY soon! I have a quick question. The recipe states to use a “7×11-inch square baking dish.” Well, those measurements, by definition, do not make a square. What size/shape pan is actually recommended? I saw many comment they had to adjust the cooking time. I am sure it’s because they had to use a different size dish than the recipe states. Thank you! I am looking forward to making these!!
There should be an “or” in there. Sorry about that! You can use either size.
Made a double batch for my church coffee hour. Quite a few declined trying any, I think based on the unusual appearance, some asking if they were watermelon flavored. But those who tried them, many took seconds.
I bought a pound of strawberries and after taking 20 center slices for the topping, cut up the rest for over ice cream.
I’m lovin’ Yummly!
I question the pan size too! 20 minutes in a 9×9 pan, the dough is far from being done. I’m cooking longer and crossing my fingers they get done.
Hi! I am trying to make this recipe without using the Strawberry cake mix to avoid the food coloring which all cake mixes use. I was wondering if I would use a vanilla cake mix MIXED with freeze dried strawberries through the food processor if it would change the cook time?
Thanks!
I haven’t personally tried that so I can’t say if it would work or not.
Does it need to be refrigerated or is it ok to leave out? I wanted to make for a party at work.
You could leave them out. You could also refrigerate but I’d leave out the strawberries on top because the juice could get runny if refrigerated.
I call them Strawbies or Pinkies. Everybody loves them.
Thank you Charlotte!
OMG!!! This is exactly what we needed. They are moist, crunchy on the edges, and the perfect amount of sweetness. This recipe is easy to put together. I was a little skeptical of how the mixture was coming together, but I stuck it out and the end result was perfect. Thanks for sharing.!!:)
I have made this recipe several times and REALLY like it. I have received a lot of compliments. When I find a recipe I really like, I try to figure out how I can make different versions. Lemon came to mind with this one. I used lemon cake mix and added the zest and juice and zest of a small lemon. I think I like the lemon version as much, if not more!
So awesome to hear!
These look YUMMY! I will try making these for our next baked dessert treat. But I do have a question. The recipe states to use a 9in square pan but the picture looks like like a rectangular pan was used. Did you mean to use a 9 x 13 inch pan? I think this will affect the baking time.
Thank you.
I thought the same thing since people commented about how much longer it took to cook
Can you do the same with yellow cake and mangoes with cream cheese?
I’m not sure, but you could try it.
Does it matter if the pan is glass or metal? Can we cook this in a larger pan? And if so, would you have any idea of the temperature changes? I am also going to make a quadruple batch for a softball team and would love to pick your brain on the best way to do that! Thank you!
My brownies weren’t done in 20 minutes so I left them in at 5 minute intervals for 15 more minutes. The only thing I did different from the recipe was use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil. Do you think that mattered?
Hard to say, but when you deviate from the recipe there could potentially be issues. However, after 20 minutes my brownies were tender and almost under-baked, but that’t the texture I like.
Thanks, I believe the problem is our oven. We got a thermometer and tested it. I made another batch and things worked better when I adjusted my oven. Another question though. How do you properly store these. in the refrigerator or at room temperature?
Oh that’s great to hear! I prefer them stored in the fridge. They taste better cold.
Hi! These strawberry brownies look amazing but there’s one tiny problem… The place where is live there are no strawberry cake mixes available can I get an alternative for it.
Oh no! Can you buy on Amazon?
This is awesome! A great alternative to the normal chocolate brownies. I’ve recently found out that I’m allergic to chocolate so having this makes life with allergies better.
Thank you!
These delicious! Nextime I get strawberries I’m making these!
YUM! These strawberry brownies are gorgeous and look so delicious!