Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

I made Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies with just three ingredients and dipped them in chocolate for a Valentine’s Day treat that hides a surprisingly simple secret.

I can’t resist a treat that looks fancy but is honestly almost too easy to be true. These Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies somehow taste like chocolate dipped strawberry dreams, made with a box of strawberry cake mix and a stash of semi sweet chocolate chips, and they’re exactly the kind of thing I bring when I want people to swoon.

Picture Sprinkle Valentine Cookies energy, but less fuss and more “who made these?” vibe. If you like Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies or simple Valentine Desserts you’ll want to try one, they have that Strawberry Cookies edge with a little Strawberry Dip glamour, and yes, they disappear fast.

Why I Like this Recipe

– I love how fast and simple it is, I can throw it together when I need a quick win and still impress people
– I like the bright, playful look, its eye catching and makes it feel festive without trying too hard
– I like the soft, slightly chewy texture with a little bit of bite, its the kind of treat that feels homemade even when I cheat
– I like that its forgiving, I mess up sometimes and they still turn out great so I dont stress about it

Ingredients

• Strawberry cake mix: mostly carbs and sugar, gives sweet strawberry flavor and bright color
• Eggs: add protein and moisture, help bind dough, and a bit of fat too
• Vegetable oil: provides tender texture and moisture, lots of calories, no protein
• Semi sweet chocolate chips: melt to coat, add sweetness and creamy chocolate fat
• Freeze dried strawberries or sprinkles: crunchy colorful topping, strawberries add tartness and some vitamin C

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 (15.25 oz) box strawberry cake mix, regular not sugar free — the base for the cookies
• 2 large eggs, room temp if you can
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
• 6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips or melting wafers, for dipping
• Optional: 1/4 cup crushed freeze dried strawberries or Valentines sprinkles for topping

How to Make this

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, rack in the middle of the oven.

2. In a large bowl add the 1
5.25 oz box strawberry cake mix, 2 large eggs (room temp if you can), and 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil. Stir with a spoon or hand mixer until everything is combined and theres no dry mix left, dont over mix.

3. Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion dough into balls about 1 inch wide and place them on the prepared sheet about 2 inches apart. If the dough is super sticky chill it 15 to 30 minutes so they spread less.

4. Gently press each ball down with the back of a spoon or your palm so theyre slightly flattened, that helps them bake evenly.

5. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes until edges are set and tops look matte not shiny. Theyll still be soft in the center, thats ok.

6. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before dipping the chocolate, otherwise the chocolate will melt and slide off.

7. Melt the 6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips or melting wafers in a microwave safe bowl in 20 to 30 second bursts, stirring between each burst, until smooth. Or melt over a double boiler if you prefer. Dont let any water touch the chocolate or it will seize.

8. Dip half of each cooled cookie into the melted chocolate, tap off excess and place back on parchment. While chocolate is still wet sprinkle with the optional 1/4 cup crushed freeze dried strawberries or Valentines sprinkles so they stick.

9. Let the chocolate set at room temp or pop the tray in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes to speed it up. Store finished cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days, or freeze for longer.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (set to 350°F)
2. Baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Wooden spoon or electric hand mixer
5. Tablespoon or cookie scoop for portioning
6. Measuring cups and spoons (including a 1/3 cup)
7. Wire cooling rack
8. Microwave safe bowl or a double boiler for melting chocolate
9. Rubber spatula or spoon for stirring and tapping off excess chocolate

FAQ

Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Strawberry cake mix: swap for 1 (15.25 oz) white or yellow cake mix plus 1/4 to 1/3 cup crushed freeze dried strawberries or 2 tablespoons strawberry gelatin (Jell-O) to bring back strawberry flavor. If using fresh strawberries, very finely chop 2/3 cup and pat dry, but reduce oil by 1 tablespoon so the dough isnt too wet.
• Eggs: per egg you can use 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 mins), or 1/4 cup applesauce, or 1/4 cup plain yogurt or mashed silken tofu. Flax gives better structure, applesauce makes them softer.
• Vegetable/canola oil: swap 1:1 with melted butter for richer flavor, or use melted coconut oil (same amount) for a slight coconut note, or avocado oil for a neutral healthy swap. To cut fat, replace up to half the oil with applesauce but cookies will be softer.
• Chocolate chips (for dipping): use white chocolate chips or candy melts/melting wafers, or chop a semisweet/dark chocolate bar and melt that, or skip the dip and stir in extra crushed freeze dried strawberries or sprinkles instead.

Pro Tips

1. Swap half the oil for melted butter (cooled first) if you want more flavor and slightly crisper edges, just make sure the butter isnt hot or it can mess with the eggs.

2. If the dough is tacky chill it and also chill the baking sheet between batches, that really helps later cookies from spreading too much so they stay uniform.

3. To get glossy, smooth chocolate quickly add a teaspoon of neutral oil or a little vegetable shortening to the melted chocolate and stir, it makes dipping easier and the coating sets prettier; also keep everything bone dry or the chocolate will seize.

4. For storage and make-ahead: freeze the cookies flat on a tray until firm then bag them with parchment between layers, they thaw fast and still stay moist without sticking together.