Strawberry Brownies Recipe: How to make easy strawberry brownies with a strawberry cake mix and just a few simple ingredients for the perfect dessert that may just become one of your new favorite easy brownie recipes!
An Easy Cake Mix Dessert Recipe
Using only a few ingredients, like our cake mix lemon brownies and our red velvet brownies, this easy dessert recipe for strawberry brownies uses different amounts of ingredients with the cake mix, so it creates more of a dense, ooey-gooey texture, rather than a light and airy cake-like texture! Add on the easy, creamy frosting and they’ll be a hit!
Jump to:
- An Easy Cake Mix Dessert Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Recipe FAQs
- Ingredients for Strawberry Brownies
- Variations
- Pro Tips
- How to Make Strawberry Brownies
- How Long to Bake the Strawberry Brownies
- Strawberry Brownie Frosting
- How to Store Strawberry Brownies
- More Brownie Recipes
- More Strawberry Recipes
- Recipe
- Comments
I honestly don’t know which one I love more. These strawberry cheesecake cookies, strawberry crunch cheesecake, or these strawberry brownies!
When it comes to deciding on which strawberry dessert to make, I guess it just depends on what I have on hand… a strawberry cake mix for these or dried strawberries for the cookies! It’s hard not to fall in love with this adorable cherry chip cake recipe!
Hi Fantabulosity readers. It’s Meg again from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence bringing you one of my favorite strawberry desserts!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It uses a cake mix: This easy dessert recipe is made with a cake mix! Cake mixes can speed up the process in many recipes and cut down on the ingredients needed. I also used a cake mix to make these strawberry cookies!
- Strawberry flavor: Strawberry lovers may find that this is one of their new favorite recipes as it’s filled with strawberry flavor. If you like strawberry cake flavor, then you’ll love the flavor of these.
- Brownie texture: Some ask if these are more like “cake” since the recipe uses a cake mix. It’s not! When you use the ingredients in the recipe card below (not on the back of the cake mix box) they turn out dense and in more of a texture like a brownie than cake.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can double the ingredients and use a 9×13 baking pan (preferably glass) and adjust to bake accordingly.
Pillsbury cake mix is recommended for this recipe. Others have said that they have used different brands and they tend to have a strong artificial strawberry taste.
Yes! Place them in a freezer-safe container (wrapped in Press’n Seal if possible) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator (if you used the milky frosting recipe) and enjoy.
If you have or can find a strawberry extract, you can add a teaspoon of this to the brownie batter.
Ingredients for Strawberry Brownies
Here are notes about some of the key ingredients for this recipe. See the FULL RECIPE CARD at the bottom of this post for all of the ingredient amounts and instructions.
- Box strawberry cake mix (with pudding mix in the mix!!)- We use and recommend Pillsbury for these brownies based on testing other brands and readers leaving details in the comments about what has worked and not worked. But even if you don’t use Pillsbury, make sure you get a cake mix that has pudding in the mix! This makes such a big difference, and I’ve tried cake mixes that don’t have pudding in the mix, and this does not turn out the same!
- Oil – You can use vegetable or canola oil for this recipe. You may also try coconut or avocado oil, although I have not tested these yet.
- Vanilla extract – pure vanilla extract is recommended.
- Strawberry preserves (or jam) – The brand I recommend is Bonne Maman strawberry preserves as it gives this recipe the ultimate flavor and rich strawberry taste in the frosting.
- Milk – Whole, 2% or skim will work, as well as heavy cream or half and half.
- Cream Cheese – not pictured and not required. Since making these brownies over and over, I’ve tested and tried different methods. I’ve found that I love adding cream cheese to the frosting but it’s not required, and the frosting is still delicious without the cream cheese.
Variations
These brownies are great on their own or jazzed up with the simple strawberry frosting. But if you’re feeling extra fancy, here are some more fun mix-in ideas and toppings:
- White chocolate chips
- Dark chocolate chips (We used semi-sweet chocolate chips in this chocolate brownie recipe.)
- Sprinkles
- Freeze-dried strawberries on top or pulverized and mixed into the batter
- Chocolate Frosting: If you’re looking for a different type of frosting recipe, you’ll love this chocolate buttercream frosting that would create a chocolate-covered strawberry flavor.
Pro Tips
- Baking Pan: We have tried glass baking pans and metal pans. We’ve found this recipe turns out best when using a glass baking pan and parchment paper for this recipe to achieve the finished result in the photos.
- Cake Mix with Pudding in the Mix: I can’t stress this enough! If you don’t use a cake mix with pudding in it, the results don’t turn out the same.
How to Make Strawberry Brownies
Start by making the batter. In a large bowl, pour in the strawberry cake mix. (Image 1)
Next, pour in the 2 large eggs and oil and mix strawberry cake mix in with the wet ingredients. (Images 2 & 3)
The batter will be thick, so keep at it until the ingredients come together. Press the batter into a greased 8×8 square baking pan (Image 4). We have found that a glass baking dish works better.) You can also line the baking pan with parchment paper for best results.
How Long to Bake the Strawberry Brownies
Bake for 18-22 minutes, until just cooked through. You want a thick, dense texture like a brownie, and overcooking will create a more cake-like texture.
Let cool completely before adding frosting.
Strawberry Brownie Frosting
The simple glaze is optional but adds a whole other dimension to the strawberry brownies so I recommend it.
While the brownies are baking, or afterward, you can whisk together the powdered sugar, strawberry jam, cream cheese (optional), and milk until you reach a thick consistency. (Images 5 & 6)
Pour glaze over the cooled brownies and then cut in to small pieces.
Not only does the glaze add more sweetness to the brownies but it also provides another pop of strawberry flavor.
How to Store Strawberry Brownies
Because of the frosting, these brownies will easily stick together. Because of this, you should store them in a single layer in an airtight container.
You can also layer parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them. Just be aware some of the frosting may stick as it doesn’t harden.
If you make the frosting for these brownies, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator since it contains milk and jam. However, if you make them without frosting, they can be stored in an airtight container on the counter.
The brownies are best when consumed within 4 days.
TIP: I don’t recommend adding fresh strawberries to this recipe. Why? Fresh strawberries contain lots of water, and as they bake, they release that water, which negatively affects the texture of the finished product.
More Brownie Recipes
If you’re a brownie lover, in any flavor, then these banana pudding brownies and these butterscotch brownies, will win you over for sure!
More Strawberry Recipes
But if you love strawberries in general, then you’ll also love this strawberry crumble, these strawberry shortcake cookies, and this stuffed strawberry cream cheese french toast for breakfast! Or for a no-bake dessert, this strawberry icebox cake is a hit during the summer months.
They would make a festive dessert for Valentine’s Day, Easter, baby showers, and girls’ nights. When would you serve these delicious strawberry brownies?
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Original published: February 2021
Photos updated and republished: March 2025
Recipe
Strawberry Brownies
Video
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl for frosting
Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry cake mix with pudding in the mix We used Pillsbury – but see post for more tips!
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil 80 ml
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 ml
For the glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar 90g
- 2 tablespoon strawberry preserves 40g – Bonne Maman strawberry preserves is the best!
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk 22ml
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese 15g – optional (see post for tips!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8×8 pan with nonstick spray or line with foil. Set aside. (I used a glass baking dish and lined with parchment paper.)
- Mix & Bake: In a large bowl, mix strawberry cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla extract. (I've used a spoon and mixer, and the results turn out the same.) Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until just done. Let cool completely1 box strawberry cake mix with pudding in the mix, 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Brownie Frosting
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry jam, cream cheese (is using) and milk. Spread over the cooled strawberry brownies.¾ cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon strawberry preserves, 1 tablespoon cream cheese, 1 ½ tablespoons milk
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Sandy Sparks says
I used the Pillsbury Strawberry cake mix, prepared as you directed and mixed by hand. I then pressed it into my 8 x 8 greased dish and into the oven it went! It was fabulous! I made a simple glaze and smeared on top, couldnt of been easier!
Jessica says
Oh Sandy, this makes me so happy that you loved them too! Thank you for sharing what you used/did. So helpful!
Katie says
Im sorry i tried this recipe exactly as written and unfortunately it came out disgusting. The batter was like glue but I decided to go ahead and bake them anyways. Gross. Maybe it really depends on the cake mix you use so if you make this maybe only use the box she suggested.
Jennifer says
What a mess!! Followed instructions exactly and it was a dry sticky mess. Too dry to mix by hand, so I used the mixer. It stuck to the beaters like gum. Tried adding a little more oil then some milk. We will see once it’s done….if I’m able to spread in a dish. Huge mess. I’ll stick with a traditional strawberry cake next time
Jessica says
Hi Jennifer! Do you know what brand of cake mix you used? I used Duncan Hines the other day for my lemon brownies (that are made like these) and I did not like the result with that brand. Pillsbury with pudding included in the mix, makes such a difference for me. I hope that helps!
Angelina says
Going to be making these for Easter, but I was wondering if I could add walnuts like traditional brownie’s sometimes have walnuts in them?
Jessica says
Hi Angelina! I haven’t tried that with these brownies, so I’m not quite sure how it would taste/turn out. If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think!
Natalie says
These were good! Super sweet so a small brownie is all that is needed. I baked mine for 20 minutes and it had the perfect consistency of a brownie.
Jessica says
I’m SO happy that you liked these strawberry brownies, Natalie! Thank you so much. You’re right, just a little brownie is all it takes… which is a good thing for me, haha!! Thank you again!
Lori Woodring says
So yummy and easy!
Jessica says
So glad you liked these strawberry brownies too! Thank you!
Ria says
I left mine in the oven for 18 minutes and immediately pulled out of the oven for a non-dry brownie. I did add 2 tablespoons of cream cheese and 3 tablespoons of milk to make it a little more creamy. I will say these brownies alone are super sweet almost too sweet, they are better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of milk .
Savannah says
These were SOOO dry. The icing makes them edible, but that’s as good as you’re gonna get with this recipe.
Jessica says
Hi Savannah, thank you for commenting. It’s possible they may have baked too long if they were dry. This can vary for ovens, pan-type, etc. I hope that helps.
Diane Smith says
Why are they called brownies if it uses Strawberry cake mix?
Jessica says
Because they use ingredients that make them more dense than cake.
Jenna says
Just to clarify. The tablespoon of cream cheese. Is this cream cheese icing or softened cream cheese?
Jessica says
Hi Jenna! I just use regular, softened cream cheese. However a lot of people make the frosting without the cream cheese and still love it!
Jenna says
Thank you for the help!
Sierra says
It had a good flavor- especially with the icing – but was a bit dry. I think if I were to make this again, I’d cook it for a shorter amount of time and add milk. Otherwise, the kids and I love it.
Ashlan Hogan says
Im making these for a party in the next few days and wondering if I double the recipe I could bake in a sheet pan or a larger pan? Is this something you have tried before?
Jessica says
Hi Ashlan! I haven’t tried these in a bigger pan yet! I know some (in the comments) have made these in a double batch and have had success. Kerrilee said “Loved this recipe! I doubled it, used a 13×9 glass Pyrex and just Pam sprayed the bottom. I kept it at 350 degrees for 22mins. It came out great! I used used regular frosting.” I hope that helps!
Donna Fleming says
I loved the brownies. Instead of cream cheese for the frosting, I added whipping cream. I hate cream cheese. Hard to believe for some folks, but I do. It turned out perfect!!
Jessica says
Ooooooh! I love hearing that this worked instead of cream cheese. So helpful to hear, thank you!
Diana S says
I’m excited to try this in the near future. How much whipping cream did you use to replace the cream cheese?
Jhasmyn says
Turned out good! More like cake for us but we were missing a few things but substituted!
Jessica says
Oh ok! Yes, it should be more dense than cake – but so glad it still turned out good for you! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Sierra says
LOVED THIS! Family loved it as well and was such a great hit at Easter get together!
Jessica says
That’s so great to hear that you liked this recipe too! Thank you so much for sharing!
Gerri says
These were very good with strawberry flavor.
Jessica says
Yay! So happy you liked these strawberry brownies!
Kadi says
Hi
I just made these brownies!! And OMG… AMAZING!! Easiest instructions ever. I LOVE strawberry anything and these are my new favorite. I added more cream cheese to my frosting just because…why not!! It was so so good!
Jessica says
Haha! I love that you added more cream cheese to the frosting! Thank you SO much for sharing and for taking the time to leave a review!
Michelle says
These brownies turned out amazing! So moist and flavorful! I added some sour cream and preserves to the batter so I had to bake a little longer. However, they came out perfect!
Jessica says
Oh yum!! Adding sour cream and preserves to the batter sounds awesome! I may have to try that, thank you!