I have been wanting to blog about these cookies for a couple weeks but didn’t want to post pink food too far in advance of Valentine’s Day.
But it’s almost here.
In a month.
However, it’s never to start thinking about pink food. Plus, spring is right around the corner.
Right after that four feet of snow, for many of you, melts.
I made these cookies on Skylar’s first day of school at her new school.
I was such a wreck that day and didn’t know what to do with myself so I started baking and pink food.
If strawberry cookies with a thick layer of vanilla cream cheese frosting and red sanding sugar sprinkles don’t put a smile on your face, I’m convinced that nothing will.
These cookies and baking project helped to take my mind off the fact that my “baby” was at big girl school.
She asked me on the car ride home, “Mommy, what did you do today?”
When I told her I made pink cookies with sprinkles her eyes got as big as saucers and the smile on her face was enormous.
For my little princess, who’s favorite color is pink, these were a huge hit with her and a perfect treat after her first day at the new school.
The little cookies are moist and light and have the best strawberry flavor, which is balanced with the heavier, richer, and tangier cream cheese frosting.
And they are so soft, and so very, very moist.
Practically falling apart moist which is the only way I like baked goods.
I hope you try the strawberries cookies, which are so easy, and only use four ingredients.
I am all about taking a shortcut here or there and using a boxed mix if it’s going to give me great results.
Pillsbury already has the strawberry cake mix thing all figured out and I don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
I’d rather spend my time eating one of these.
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Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Cookies
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, half of one stick, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup + 1/8 cup strawberry cake mix (this is about 9 ounces, or half of an 18.25 ounce box of Pillsbury Strawberry Cake Mix
Frosting
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, half of one stick, softened
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Cookies – Preheat oven to 350F. In a mixing bowl combine the softened butter, egg, vanilla and stir by hand or with a mixer until combined. Add the cake mix and stir until smooth. If the dough seems too wet to be cookie dough, add a bit more cake mix, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s less wet. Conversely, if the dough seems dry and it’s not combining, add a tablespoon or two of water.
- If time permits, I recommend chilling the dough by placing the mixing bowl in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. Chilled dough spreads less during the baking process.
- Form 1 inch balls on a Silpat-lined, parchment paper-lined, or cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Allow for adequate spacing because they do spread; which is why I recommend chilling the dough and do not exceed 1 rounded tablespoon-sized or 1 inch sized balls (I only placed 9 cookies on one cookie sheet and do not recommend trying to fit the batch on one cookie sheet). Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are barely browned. They make look a bit loose and jiggly after only 8 to 10 minutes but they will continue to cook on the sheets after you remove the from the oven and will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake. Allow the cookies to cool well (on the cookie sheets is fine) before attempting to move them.
- While the cookies are baking, make the frosting.
- Frosting – In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer or whisk by hand. Add the vanilla extract and add two cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. If you like thick(er) frosting, add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. I used nearly 4 cups of powdered sugar in mine because I like very thick frosting (shown in the photos).
- After the cookies have cooled, frost them (I applied a thick layer). Finish with sprinkles, sanding sugar, or other garnishes such as coconut flakes or chocolate shavings, as desired. Optionally, make sandwich cookies.
- Because these cookies are frosted with cream cheese frosting, you may want store them in the refrigerator if they’re going to be out more than a day or so; use common sense.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Stuffed cookies score bonus points:
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And for Valentine’s Day, Dark Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cookies Stuffed with Chocolate Covered Strawberries with the red surprise center would be fun.
I always love how cake mix cookies turn out but have never used a strawberry mix! I bet they’re as delicious as they look, especially with the frosting.
I had never tried them til now. I am sold!
AHHH NO WAY!! I have these on my calendar to post for Valentine’s day!! We’re totally on the same wavelength. I just bought the strawberry cake mix last week! I can’t wait to make them :) yours turned out amazing!
I beat you to the punch I guess…LOL I could not help it. This post was BURNING a hole in my drafts. They are that good. Excited to see yours!
I had no idea you could make cookies from a cake mix! I generally stay away from cake mixes these days but those are some pretty cookies! :-)
your kiddos would call you supermom after pink cookies :)
I LOVE strawberry cake and these look amazing!! We definitely share an insatiable sweet tooth!
Love me some pink! My engagement ring is pink :)
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.com
I’d love to see pics!
Hi there, I have just come across your lovely blog and just wanted to add that these look delicious and perfect for v-day, a high tea or a little girl’s birthday party…so pretty!
I am thinking these will be my go-to recipe for baby & bridal showers, girlie parties, for sure.
Gawd, V-Day is only a month away already? Sheesh!
These cookies make me want to put on something frilly and hold a tea party. :P
You and I need a tea party together. With sweet tea vodka and lots of time to swap stories :)
How cuuuuuute!! I love pink. And how convenient that I have some red sanding sugar in my cupboards right now :)
that’s a sign from the universe to make them :)
I haven’t used cake mix much in general.. I have yet to find one in a story around me that’s vegan friendly. :(
I figure although it’s less convenient, it’s generally cheaper to just go from scratch.
the pillsbury mix was 1.79 and I used half of it…so for 90 cents there is no possible way I could ever have duplicated this! Not to mention,pureeing down strawberries and then somehow playing with flour ratios, baking powder, etc…my time is far more valuable and for 90 cents, you can’t beat it. That said, I do think brownies from scratch or certain cakes from scratch can be better and cheaper, but it’s a case-by-case basis, for sure. Hope you find a mix you like!
Yeah, for a flavored mix if you don’t want the time consuming aspect, I can see why iit could be well worth it
Ahhh, it’s about time some pink and sprinkles showed up! I’ve been waiting for others to join in the fun :) These cookies look great, and love that you used a box mix, and aren’t afraid to say so! Sometimes it’s necessary (and in my book, these cookies are totally necessary). Not only for your little girl, but the mommy who’s letting her grow up. Sniff sniff.
You’ve already been on the pink food and sprinkles train this year which is awesome…glad Im on board now, too.
And yes, boxed mixes…I mean for certain things like strawberry cake I just dont have the time or DESIRE to be pureeing down strawberries and then somehow playing with flour ratios, baking powder, etc. That’s why the cake mix companies have been in biz a century and make billions: they figured this all out for us already :)
I love cake mix cookies! I did cherry chip cake mix cookies once and they were incredible. Delicious recipe and gorgeous pictures Averie!
thanks for the photo compliments and I bet your cake mix cookies were awesome!
That is so sweet that you made cookies in her favourite colour for her first day at a new school :-) You are creating so many memories for Skylar that she will cherish forever. I distinctly remember getting off my school bus when I was very little walking up the front steps of my house and smelling the sweet smell of cookies baking – just in time for my after school snack! This was a regular occurrence when I was growing up, and my brother and I would always try to guess what our mom had made by the aroma outside of the house, coming through the open window.
I haven’t made cookies with cake mix, but I use boxed cake mix for my cake pops, and they are fabulous!
You’d love cake mix cookies like this even though I know you don’t have a huge sweet tooth :)
That is so sweet to tell me that story of you remembering the smell of cookies your mom made. I hope Skylar remembers this but it’s a cumulative history; there’s always the next year and next batch of cookies :)
These look so good. I thinks it’s close enough to valentines day. Pink food is ok anytime in my book.
pink food is always welcome with me, too.
Favorite flavor lately is anything caramel, these pink cookies are beautiful! You always make the ordinary look really special, thanks for sharing with us!
Thanks for the compliment!
Those absolutely scream V-day OR perfect pink princess party! They look gorgeous. I actually like a spice cake mix – just mix in a can of pumpkin and bake for easy cupcakes for a party.
Thanks Heather and I have never made the famous dump a can of pumpkin puree into a boxed mix and make something…but I want to try.
I love these! I have to make them for Valentines Day!
LMK if you do!