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These Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies are the easiest dessert recipe for busy weeks or beginner bakers. Using a boxed strawberry cake mix as the base, they’re foolproof as can be with the best chewy texture too. You can even switch up the cake mix flavor to chocolate or vanilla to keep things fresh.
This easy strawberry cookie recipe was developed about 23 years ago, when I was looking for something fun and easy to make with the kids during the holidays. These Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies (often known as strawberry crinkle cookies) quickly became part of our Christmas tradition. My kids and I would gather in the kitchen. Their little hands scooping dough and adding sprinkles and making sweet memories right alongside the treats.
Even now that my kids are grown, we still find time to bake a couple of batches each year. And if I’m honest, we don’t wait for Christmas anymore – we love to make them in the spring or summer too. They have so much berry flavor with only 4 ingredients and minimal effort!
While strawberry cake mix is our go-to flavor, you can use any cake mix your crew loves—lemon, chocolate, vanilla, you name it. Whether you’re baking with your little ones or just need a quick, crowd-pleasing treat, these cookies are an easy way to share something sweet. For more easy cookie recipes, be sure to also try my Butterfinger Cake Mix Cookies or Dot Cake Cookies.
Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Tried these today….so good and very easy!!”
— Shannon
Why you’ll love this Recipe
❥Tried-and-true cookie recipe. I’ve been making these for over 23 years and let me tell you they are so simple! If you’re new to baking, give them a try.
❥15 minute dessert recipe. Whether it’s a weeknight meal, school function, or just to bring to a party, these strawberry crinkle cookies come together quick.
❥Delicious berry flavor. We love how bold and sweet the strawberry cake mix makes the cookie dough.
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Ingredients
Strawberry cake mix – This is where all that sweet strawberry flavor comes from. You can easily swap in another cake mix flavor to change things up!
Cool Whip – It adds a light, fluffy texture to the dough and keeps things sweet and simple.
Large egg – Just one is all you need to bring it all together.
Powdered sugar – For rolling! It gives these cookies that pretty crinkle look and just the right touch of sweetness on the outside.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
✱ Below shows step-by-step photos and instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.
Step 1: Make the Cake Mix
In a bowl, mix cake mix, cool whip and an egg together until well combined. Now I will warn you. This dough is sticky mess. You have not done it wrong!!
Step 2: Roll the Cookies
Next place powdered sugar in another small bowl!
To shape each cookie, you can use a cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon full) sprayed with cooking spray to scoop up the dough.
I like to just use my fingers to pick up a “glob of dough.” Yep, so technical and doesn’t sound fancy but they always turn out. This is just how we have always done it. Roll it into a somewhat ball shape.
I just put my fingers in a little powdered sugar first pick up about the 1 inch sized amount, then put that dough into the powdered sugar and coat well.
Step 3: Place on Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place cookies about 2 inches apart.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake at 350° for 8 to 10minutes. Mine are usually perfect at 8 to 9 minutes. You do not want to over bake these. They lose their pretty pink color if you do!
Expert Tips
- Always use whipped topping and not homemade whipped cream. This is key! The whipped topping (I like Cool Whip), stabilizes the cake mix to be soft and chewy in texture.
- Sift your powdered sugar before rolling, if desired. This helps to remove any lumps so the coating on the outside is even and smooth.
- Stir in crushed freeze-dried strawberries for more berry flavor. Totally optional, but adds a burst of more fruitiness!
- Use a cookie scoop to make the cookies the same size. This helps them to bake in the same amount of time and makes rolling easier.
- Cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes to help them set. After they cool, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations
You can make these with other flavored cake mixes too. We’ve also used Lemon and Chocolate mixes and both are fantastic as well!
Have fun with the mix-ins. With our chocolate cake mix cookies we’ve added Oreos and peppermint, and to yellow cake mix we’ve added Butterfinger Bits.
Storage
Once your strawberry cake mix cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy, just be sure the container is sealed tight so they don’t dry out.
If your kitchen runs warm or you just prefer it, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Let them sit at room temp for a few minutes before serving so they’re not too firm.
If you’re stacking them in layers, place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between each layer to keep the powdered sugar coating nice and neat.
Freeze: These strawberry crinkle cookies freeze beautifully! Pop them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag with parchment between layers, and they’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temp.
FAQs
Of course! It’s so easy to do with just 4 ingredients and a single bowl. They are ready in no time.
Make sure you add an egg to bind and a type of fat. The ratios will be different depending on the ingredients you choose.
You probably baked them for too long. Make sure you remove them from the oven a minute or two after baking.
More Delicious Cookie Recipes
- Peanut Butter S’mores Cookies
- Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies
- Brownie Mix Cookies
- Peanut Butter Fudge Cookies
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Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies (4 Ingredients)
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Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry cake mix - (or any cake mix flavor)
- 8 ounces cool whip
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup powdered sugar - (use as much as needed to coat cookies well)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a cooking sheet with a non-stick baking mat.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, Cool Whip and egg. Stir until well mixed.
- Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl.
- Drop the cookie dough about 1 tablespoon into the powdered sugar and roll the dough to coat. This can be done with a sprayed cookie scoop or by hand. (I like to do this with my fingers after coating them with powdered sugar or you can spray your hands with cooking spray).
- Place the balls at about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 350℉ for 8 to 11 minutes.
Notes
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These are delicious!! Made today!! Love the texture!! Question though!! How do I store them?? Do they need to be covered to keep the soft chewy texture? Or leave them out on a plate? I must know 😁
I store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Omg these taste soooo good !!
Thank you, Braelynn!
can I freeze theses
Yes, you can freeze them for 2-3 months. Cool completely first. I like to place parchment between layers and freeze flat, so they don’t stick together. Then place in a freezer safe bag.
Tried these today….so good and very easy!!
Thank you so much, Shanon!
I love making these!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Sue! They are one of my favorites to make as well!
I want to give credit where credit is due. I usually don’t write online reviews, but I tried this recipe and loved it. It was so easy (though rolling the cookies was a little messy) and turned out delicious. I love soft cookies, and this recipe delivered. I am also amazed that it turned out so well with so few ingredients.
I am so glad you enjoyed them! They are a bit messy. I often grab a bit of the powdered sugar between my fingers as I grab the dough and that helps! I love the texture and chewiness of these cookies!
Pretty color too. Easy works for me!
We love these at our house! Easy is always good especially when they taste so good! 🙂
What size cake mix does this recipe use? Many use the 18,5 ounce mixes that have been cut down today? Thanks, can’t wait to try it.
I usually buy the 15.25 ounce box. Most seem to be about that size these days.
Always nice to have a an easy and delicious go to recipe.
Yes, I agree Wendy!
Great recipe – super easy, and they add such a vibrant color to any cookie tray!
Thank you Liz! They do turn out so pretty and are very easy to make!
These are so pretty! I’ve never made cake mix cookies OR crinkle cookies. I have to try these. They’re screaming MAKE ME NOW!
Thank you so much! They are so easy and delicious! You will be so glad you made them! Plus you can change up the cake mix and create new recipes!! <3
I love easy, and I love pink! These sound delicious!
Then these are def for you then 😉 Thank you so much!!!
I add crushed freeze dried strawberries 4 even a better tasting cookie annie from mi