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 brownie recipes!
Quick Overview: Using only a few ingredients, like our cake mix lemon brownies and our red velvet brownies, this dessert recipe for strawberry brownies uses different amounts of ingredients with the cake mix, so it creates more of 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!
Post originally published in 2021, updated in 2023.
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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 what I have on hand… a strawberry cake mix for these or dried strawberries for the cookies! Or let’s be real… it’s hard not to also 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.
- Strawberry flavor: Strawberry lovers may just 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.
🛒 Ingredients for Strawberry Brownies
Here’s what you’ll need: (See the FULL RECIPE CARD at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and instructions all in one place.)
⭐️ UPDATE: Although not required, I’ve since started adding 1 Tablespoon of cream cheese to the frosting recipe, in case you want to try that too!
- Box strawberry cake mix (We used Pillsbury)
- Eggs
- Vegetable or canola oil
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Strawberry preserves (or jam)
- Milk
- Cream Cheese (not pictured, and optional for frosting)
🍫 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 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
- Brands Used: We used Pillsbury cake mix and Bonne Maman strawberry preserves for the frosting, as we have found that these two make the best results.
- Baking Pan: We have tried glass baking pans and metals pans. We’ve found this recipe turns out best when using a a glass baking pan and parchment paper for this recipe to achieve the finished result in the photos.
🧑🏻🍳 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 – but we have found 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 they are just cooked through. You want that thick, dense texture like a brownie, and overcooking will create a more cake-like texture.
Let cool completely before adding frosting.
🥣 Brownie Frosting
The simple glaze is optional but adds a whole other dimension to the strawberry brownies so I definitely 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 making the frosting for these brownies, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator since it contains milk and jam. However, if making without frosting, they can be stored in an airtight container on the counter.
They are best when consumed within 4 days.
TIP: I don’t recommend adding in fresh strawberries to this recipe. Why? Fresh strawberries contain lots of water and as they bake, they release that water which would negatively affects the texture of the finished product.
✅ 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.
😍 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 just 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?
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry cake mix We used Pillsbury
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoon strawberry preserves Bonne Maman strawberry preserves is the best!
- 1 ½ Tablespoons milk
- 1 Tablespoon cream cheese
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. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until just done. Let cool completely
Strawberry Brownie Frosting
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry jam, cream cheese and milk. Spread over the cooled strawberry brownies.
Video
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.
Kim says
It was more moist than a cake and less moist/dense than a brownie. My kids liked it. I’m not a fan of the artificial taste from the cake mix though.
Jess says
Very yummy! My icing didn’t turn out milky like the picture but it still tastes great!
Christina says
Really interesting concept. Baked up perfectly, but was looking for more flavor( even though I used strawberry jam in the frosting). If I were to make again I might try adding real strawberries.
Jessica says
Hi Christina! Thank you for letting us know! I’m curious what brand of cake mix you used for this recipe? That could be why the flavor was lacking!
Rhonda says
Amazing! I followed the recipe and they turned out fantastic, I will absolutely make these again.
Jessica says
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so glad that you loved these strawberry brownies too!
Dee says
Horrible!! I used Duncan Hines … followed everything! Waste of money and time !! Super sticky
Jessica says
Hi Dee. I’m sorry they were sticky. Maybe Duncan Hines isn’t a good mix for this recipe, as we used Pillsbury. Thank you for letting us know.
BeckyH says
I’m going to say this as nicely as I can. I’ve been baking since I was 11 years old. I’m 55 years old now. This is probably 1 out of 4 recipes I’ve made in that many years that went into the garbage after trying one small piece. My husband will eat anything and he said it’s a NO. It tasted like chewy, cheap, rubbery fake strawberry gum. Sorry! I like to be honest so others can know.
Jessica says
Hi Becky! Sounds like you’ve been baking a long time and you may prefer making your recipes from scratch, which I understand. Also, some brands of cake mixes just aren’t good… that could also be the case. But… people have different taste preferences, so not everyone will like the same recipe either, that’s for sure. Thank you for sharing your opinion. As you can see from the other reviews (a lot of 5-star reviews actually), some like them… some don’t like the cake mix approach. I absolutely love strawberry cake mix desserts! 🙂 Have a great day.
Claudia says
I made these today for when my mother in law comes to lunch tomorrow. Instead of a strawberry glaze, I made a strawberry buttercream frosting (my husband is obsessed with buttercream frostings!) I did use the strawberry preserves and, boy, did that add a very nice strawberry flavor! Well, my husband couldn’t wait until tomorrow and these are now his FAVORITE dessert! Thank you a new recipe that will surely be requested often!
Jessica says
Awww!! That is SO great to hear, and I’m so glad that these strawberry brownies are now a favorite. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ll have to try that buttercream! (P.S. I have a strawberry buttercream recipe here, in case it’s helpful!)
Erin says
This recipe works when you follow it correctly! mine did not turn out like cake…it was a denser quality like a brownie and my husband and I loved it soo much!!!! Easy go to desert recipe for strawberry lovers!
Jessica says
Oh Erin, thank you so much for this! I’m so glad it turned out great and that you loved it! I really appreciate you taking the time to share this!
Met says
I made these tonight.. the taste was delicious but the brownies were very dry.. I followed the instructions exactly.. don’t know what happened.. next time I may add a little oil to the mix..
Jessica says
Hi Met! Oh that’s interesting! I wonder if it’s a certain kind of strawberry cake mix that made the difference? Thank you for sharing and letting us know!
Whitney says
Easy and delicious!
Suzanne McLennan says
I made these this morning and they are such a summer delight! The only things I changed about this recipe is that I added 1 drop of red food color to the frosting and also added 1 tsp. Karo syrup to the frosting so that it would form a thin firm top on the frosting so that I could wrap them individually in plastic film/Saran wrap. Thank you for this easy treat. This is going to be in my favorites for family recipes.
Jessica says
Oh wow! I LOVE the idea of using karo syrup for the frosting!! Thank you so much for sharing this tip with us!!
Danita Griffin says
Going to make these today. Do they have to be stored in the refrigerator after made?
Jessica says
Hi Danita! If you’re making the frosting for these brownies, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator since it contains milk and jam. However, if you’re making them without frosting, they can be stored in an airtight container on the counter.
Machelle says
I made these and they r so good !
Jessica says
So glad you liked these strawberry brownies too! Thank you for sharing!
SJ says
What a great sweet treat! I can see making these a lot this summer!
thanks for sharing the recipe.
Jessica says
Awww, you’re so welcome! I’m thrilled that you liked them, thank you!
Karla says
Haven’t made yet but it says to use 3 strawberry cake mix. Does that mean 3 boxes really? Just curious before I make.
Jessica says
Hi Karla! No, it’s only one box of strawberry cake mix. Can you tell me where you see that so I can go in and make sure to fix it if it’s looking like 3 boxes? Thank you!
Diane says
Hi there, I made this recipe tonight and the brownies turned out delicious, they are dense like a chocolate brownie and really good but I’m puzzled about the glaze. The flavor of the glaze is great; I followed the exact measurements in the recipe and the consistency looked much like your photo but when I poured it over the brownies it never really hardened, it is more like a liquid than a glaze. Does it take some time to harden?? Thanks!
Jessica says
Hi Diane! Sorry you didn’t think this was a 5-star recipe but thank you for the review. Did you happen to let the brownies cool completely before pouring the glaze on? Also, the type of jam can make a difference — if it’s more thin than others, etc.
Diane says
Oh whoops, I didn’t even give this three stars?! That was an accident lol. I definitely thought these were 5 star taste and consistancy for sure. I used skinny girl sugar free strawberry jam bc that was all I had on hand but perhaps I didn’t let them cool long enough. I will def make these again though. 🙂 Thank you!
Jessica says
Oh good! Haha, that’s ok Diane! Thank you so much for the 5-star review! That means a lot. Oh yes… give it a try. The sugar-free consistency could very well have done it. (There could be an ingredient in that, that could change the consistency!)
Thank YOU for coming back and letting us know!
Brigette Burnett says
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 baked for 24 minutes & then let them cool completely in the pan (glass 9×9) before trying to remove them, placed on a pretty milk glass serving dish, drizzled with your yummy glaze recipe , lightly dusted the fresh glaze with hot pink sugar crystals and garnished with dark chocolate covered strawberries.
Jessica says
Hi Brigette! Thank you SO much for this feedback and the review!! So glad that you liked them!!
B says
This did not work at all for me . I followed the 2x instructions and ingredients , it came out burnt , cake like , nothing like the picture or anything like a brownie . I followed step by step , cup by cup , & it was truly just a waste besides the glaze . Im really upset because i went and got everything exactly as you said & nothing worked . Im not sure if your measuring is off because the pictures dont look like the amount you say either . I do not recommend this recipe at all .
Jessica says
I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. Did you happen to use a bigger pan when you doubled the recipe? That could have been it?
gail anderson says
i agree, just cake cut into small pieces!! disappointed!!
Jessica says
Hi Gail, it shouldn’t be like cake at all. It’s much thicker and more dense. However, cake mixes can vary so possibly the brand used made it differently than what it did for so many others?
SJ says
I tried the recipe exactly and it turned out great. Definitely a guilty pleasure I’ll be making again.
Jessica says
Yay! I’m so glad that you liked these strawberry brownies. Thank you for the feedback on the recipe too! That makes me so happy!
Betty Quigley says
Can you double this recipe and make it in a 9×13 pan. Just thinking that I could do two cake mixes and double it
Jessica says
Hi Betty!! You know, I haven’t tried this but I’m not sure why it wouldn’t work! I’d love to hear if you try it!
Amie says
I’m trying this right now!
Jessica says
I hope you love it Amie!
Betty says
Can you use strawberry preserves instead of strawberry jam
Jessica says
Hi Betty! I haven’t tried that yet but it’s definitely worth a shot. It may have a different look since preserves are different than jam but I would imagine it would be just as delicious!