Name: Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.25 ounces box strawberry cake mix; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 cup strawberry preserves; 2 tablespoons half and half

There’s something about soft, fruity cookies that just feels like a warm hug on a plate. This Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe captures that sweet, tender goodness super easily and tastes like pure summer sunshine. You’ll love how quickly these come together without skimping on flavor or texture.

A stack of three pink cookies with a cracked texture is shown, each topped with a light pink glaze that drips down the sides unevenly, giving a soft, creamy look. The cookies are thick and round, with the glaze more abundant on the top two cookies and slightly less on the bottom one. The stack sits on a white marbled surface with a small red strawberry slice placed nearby. In the blurred background, there is a white cup with a pink-and-white striped straw and a white bowl filled with bright red strawberries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this recipe has become my go-to for an effortless but impressive treat. It combines the ease of a cake mix with the fun of homemade cookies — plus, that glaze on top just seals the deal. I’m always surprised at how many people ask for seconds!

Simple ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples, making it perfect for last-minute baking.
Quick prep: From start to finish, you’re looking at under an hour before you’re biting into those soft cookies.
Delightful texture: They come out tender with just a little chew, unlike dense cake bars or cakey cookies.
Versatile flavor: You can tweak the glaze or add-ins to make these uniquely yours every time.

The image shows a stack of three pink cookies with a smooth pink icing that drips slightly down the sides. The top cookie has a bite taken revealing a soft, textured inside. To the left of the cookies, there are whole and sliced strawberries with green leaves. The cookies and strawberries are placed on white marble surface with a white cloth with black stripes under the strawberries. In the background, there are blurred glasses of milk and more pink cookies on a white plate. Three striped and polka dot paper straws in pink, black, and white lie in the front right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe leans on the cake mix for flavor and structure but needs a few extras to turn it into cookies. Each ingredient has its role, whether it’s moisture, richness, or sweetness — here’s why I love using them.

Flat lay of a fresh rectangular pink strawberry cake mix box without packaging, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding vibrant red strawberry preserves, and a small white ceramic bowl with creamy half and half, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Strawberry cake mix: The base ingredient that gives these cookies their vibrant color and authentic strawberry flavor.
Eggs: Bind everything together and help with the cookie’s tender crumb — I always use room temperature eggs for even mixing.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies moist and soft, much better than butter in this case because it doesn’t firm up as much when cooled.
Powdered sugar: For the glaze, it dissolves easily and creates that perfect smooth topping without grit.
Strawberry preserves: Adds concentrated fruity sweetness and a slight jammy texture to the glaze.
Half and half: Thins the glaze just enough so it spreads but still sets nicely.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this recipe depending on my mood or what I have on hand – it’s one of those baked goods that welcomes creativity. You can easily swap or add things to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Variation: I once mixed in white chocolate chips for a fun contrast — it turned these cookies into a crowd-pleasing combo of sweet and fruity that disappeared fast!
Healthier option: For an egg-free version, swapping eggs for applesauce works beautifully without losing that tender texture.
Smaller cookies: Using a 1-tablespoon scoop instead of 1½ tablespoon makes bite-sized treats that bake a bit quicker — just shave some time off the baking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together your base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper – trust me, this makes clean-up a breeze! In a medium bowl, toss the strawberry cake mix, eggs (room temp works best), and vegetable oil. Grab your handheld mixer and blend just until everything comes together. The dough will be thick and a bit sticky — don’t worry, that’s exactly what you want.

Step 2: Scoop and bake

Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, form dough balls and arrange them on your baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Keep that spacing in mind — these cookies spread just enough to get a nice shape without merging. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are just starting to turn golden; that’s your cue they’re done. Let them rest right on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

Step 3: Whip up the glaze

While the cookies bake and cool, mix powdered sugar, strawberry preserves, and half-and-half in a small bowl. Whisk it together until smooth and glossy. This glaze is what really elevates these cookies, giving them a shiny finish and an extra burst of strawberry goodness.

Step 4: Glaze and enjoy

Make sure your cookies are completely cool before spreading the glaze on top — if they’re warm, the glaze will just melt right off. Once glazed, give them a bit of time for the glaze to set before you dig in. These little beauties stay soft, sweet, and delightful every single time.

Top Tip

When I first tried this Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe, I learned a few things the hard way — here’s what will save you time and make sure your cookies turn out perfect.

Use room temperature eggs: This helps everything mix together smoothly, preventing any lumps or uneven texture.
Don’t overbake: The cookies continue to cook a bit on the hot baking sheet after you take them out — that short resting time is key for soft centers.
Wait to glaze: Patience pays off here; glazing only after the cookies are fully cooled keeps your frosting glossy and perfect.
Cookie scoop consistency: Using a cookie scoop ensures uniform cookies so they bake evenly every time.

How to Serve Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

strawberry cake mix cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little freeze-dried strawberry powder or finely chopped fresh strawberries over the glaze for some extra color and that fresh strawberry punch. If you’re feeling fanciful, a few mini white chocolate chips sprinkled on top just before the glaze sets looks gorgeous.

Side Dishes

Pair these with a tall glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic treat. They also go surprisingly well with a cup of hot green tea — the mild bitterness cuts through the sweetness for perfect balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthday parties or showers, I’ve arranged these cookies in a pretty tiered tray alongside fresh berries and edible flowers. Another idea: drizzle some melted white chocolate over the glaze for an elegant look that makes these cookies feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover cookies layered between sheets of wax paper inside an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft for about 4 days, which is perfect for sneaking a treat after work or sharing with friends.

Freezing

If I make a big batch, I scoop cookie dough balls onto a baking tray lined with parchment and freeze them solid. Later, I bake straight from frozen — just add 5 to 7 minutes to baking time. The results are almost as fresh as the first bake!

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or for a minute in a low oven — just enough to refresh that softness without drying them out. The glaze holds up surprisingly well and stays tacky and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cake mix flavor instead of strawberry?

Absolutely! I’ve tried this recipe with yellow and lemon cake mixes, and it works wonderfully. Just swap out the strawberry preserves in the glaze for a flavor that matches the cake mix.

What if I don’t have half and half for the glaze?

No problem — you can substitute milk or even a bit of heavy cream. Just adjust the amount slightly to get a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

To make them vegan, swap the eggs for a flax egg or applesauce, and use a dairy-free cake mix and vegan-friendly preserves. Keep in mind the texture might be slightly different, but still delicious!

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure not to add extra oil or liquids to the batter, and chill the dough balls in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before baking to help them keep their shape.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is the perfect example of how a few simple ingredients can come together to make something truly special and delicious. I always keep cake mix on hand because stories like this remind me how baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be wonderful. Give these cookies a try—you might just find your new favorite quick treat to share with friends and family, just like I did.