These easy strawberry cake mix cookies are a quick and simple recipe hack for making delicious strawberry cookies with just 3 ingredients. Made in one bowl and ready to bake in minutes, these cookies have a chewy and tender texture with plenty of sweet strawberry flavor and white chocolate chips in every bite. If you need a quick Valentine's Day dessert or party treat, this is the recipe to try!
Strawberry flavor is a favorite for a reason! It adds the perfect touch of sweetness and nostalgia to any dessert, and these strawberry cake mix cookies are no exception. Instead of making cookie dough completely from scratch, this recipe is a simple time-saving hack that makes cookies from a box of cake mix and three staple ingredients. Despite how easy they are to make, these cookies are bursting with sweet strawberry flavor and have a homemade taste and texture.
Whether you’re making these cookies for a party, baby shower, bridal celebration, or just because, your guests are sure to love them. This recipe was inspired by my white chocolate strawberry shortbread cookies, and would pair perfectly with these strawberry crunch cupcakes! For another variation, try these pink sugar cookies.
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Why You'll Love These Cookies With Cake Mix
- They are quick and easy to make with a box of cake mix in under 30 minutes!
- Delicious cream cheese white chocolate chips are mixed into the dough.
- Every bite is full of decadent, perfectly-sweet fresh strawberry flavor.
- Their pretty pink color makes it the perfect recipe for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, baby showers, bridal showers, and more!
Ingredients
These 3-ingredient strawberry cookies are made with boxed cake mix, eggs, and oil. Below are some helpful notes, but see the recipe card for full ingredient details.
- Strawberry cake mix - Use a high-quality cake mix for the best flavor, like the "extra moist" varieties. I use Duncan Hines, but any strawberry cake mix works well, including a gluten-free box mix. This recipe uses a standard 15.25 oz. box.
- Eggs - Bring to room temperature before using for the best cookie texture.
- Vegetable oil - Creates a tender bite in the cookies. You can replace the vegetable oil with melted butter or canola oil if preferred.
- White chocolate chips (optional) - Adds sweet bursts of flavor alongside the strawberry. I like using Hershey’s Cream Cheese flavored chips for a tangy twist.
- Granulated sugar (optional) - Roll the cookie dough balls in sugar before baking for a pretty, sparkling finish and an extra touch of sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The best thing about these cookies is how quick and easy they are to make at home. Kids can have fun helping with this simple recipe, too! Below are step-by-step instructions for how to make strawberry cookies from cake mix:
Step 1: Add the cake mix, oil, and eggs to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Whisk all ingredients together until just combined (don't mix too much).
Step 3: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips (if using) until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough, being careful not to over-mix.
Step 4: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out evenly sized dough balls, then roll them between your hands until smooth.
Step 5: Optional, but recommend. Roll each cookie dough ball in granulated sugar until evenly coated, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet a few inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
Step 6: Bake at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes, or until cracks appear on top, being careful not to over-bake them. The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the pan.
TIP: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes after removing them from the oven so they can finish setting up before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Expert Cookie Baking Tips
- Bring the eggs to room temperature 1-2 hours before baking. Room temperature eggs blend more easily and create softer, fluffier cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop to form evenly-sized balls of dough that bake evenly.
- Don't over-mix the dough, or the cookies can be tough and dense. Mix until the ingredients are just combined and no dry cake mix remains.
- Add extra chocolate chips to the tops of the cookie dough balls before baking. This gives them the prettiest look and extra cream cheese flavor!
- Slightly under-bake the cookies because they will continue to set up as they cool. Removing them from the oven a minute or two early keeps them soft and chewy.
Cake Mix Cookie Variations
You can adjust the recipe to your liking with these simple variations and substitutions:
- With real strawberries - Fold finely chopped fresh strawberries into the cookie dough for juicy bites of fresh fruit throughout. Make sure to remove extra moisture from the strawberry chunks first by pressing them gently between paper towels so there is not excess liquid in the cookie dough.
- Dipped in chocolate - Melt white chocolate to a creamy consistency and dip each cookie halfway into it. Then place them on parchment paper to let them set up and harden.
- With cream cheese - Spread cream cheese icing onto cooled cookies, or fold small chunks of cream cheese into the cookie dough for a tangy bite.
- Powdered sugar - Roll each cookie dough ball in powdered sugar before baking for a sweet, crackled coating instead of a glistening granulated sugar coating.
- With butter - Replace oil with melted butter for a richer, warmer flavor.
- Gluten-free option - Use a gluten-free strawberry cake mix instead!
If you love fruity-flavored cookies, you have to try these fruity pebbles cookies next!
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are good options, but they change the cookie’s texture. Butter adds rich, warm flavor with slightly crisp edges, while oil keeps cookies soft and tender.
Chop fresh strawberries into small pieces and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Gently fold the strawberries into the cookie dough before baking, taking care not to make the dough too wet, or cookies will spread.
Look for a mix that’s moist and flavorful. Duncan Hines is a good choice, or use Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, or your favorite gluten-free cake mix for an allergy-friendly option.
Doctor the box mix by adding mix-ins like pure vanilla extract, chocolate chips, or fresh fruit, and swapping oil for butter to enhance both flavor and texture.
Storing & Freezing
Store leftover strawberry cake mix cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 to 7 days. This prevents them from drying out.
You can freeze leftover cookies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remember to thaw the cookies for a few hours before enjoying them again.
More Easy Strawberry Recipes To Try Next
Did you make these easy strawberry cream cheese cake mix cookies? Please leave a 5-star rating and review below. This supports my blog and helps other readers! Share your strawberry cookies on Instagram or TikTok and remember to tag me. To stay updated with new recipes, follow me on Pinterest and join my email list. Enjoy!
Recipe
3-Ingredient Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies (Easy!)
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Large Cookie Sheet with Parchment Paper
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Cookie Scoop optional, or use a spoon
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 oz. box Strawberry Cake Mix (see notes for GF option)*
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup white chocolate chips or cream cheese chips (optional)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (optional, for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and prepare a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the strawberry cake mix, eggs, and oil until just combined and no flour clumps remain.1 15.25 oz. box Strawberry Cake Mix, 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- Gently fold in the white chocolate chips (if using), until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. Be careful not to over-mix!1 cup white chocolate chips
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form 1-2” cookie dough balls. Optional: add granulated sugar to a small bowl and roll each dough ball in the sugar until evenly coated. Place the cookie dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheet about 2-3 inches apart.½ cup granulated sugar
- Bake for 7-9 minutes or until you see soft cracks on the top of the cookies. Be careful not to over-bake them, as they will continue to cook and set up on the baking sheet as they cool.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy!
These were a huge hit in my house! I brought them to a baby shower and everyone was asking for the recipe. Very surprised to hear it was only 3 ingredients! Everyone loved them and the white chocolate chips added a nice bite to it. I will be making these again… grandkids already asked for more. Thank you
Hi Angie, I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for giving the cookies a try. They are the perfect easy treat for all occasions!
Yum!! Love how easy these are. Definitely making them with cream cheese frosting next time.