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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Angelfood Cake with Berries and Cream is another favorite play on berry + creamy flavors that I enjoy.
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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.
These are so cute and they look yummy :) I love the combination of strawberry, vanilla, and cream cheese. Truly perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Thanks! Or try them for a baby shower, bridal shower, or just spring time I thought, too.
*faints*
I missed my son so much when he went to school. I know I spent most of that first day teary-eyed…AND make cookies for him for when he got home!
I’m in LOVE with these cookies. I MUST make them,,,,as in, ASAP!
You’re so sweet and thanks for the Tweet, too.
I am glad to know I am not the only wreck on the first day of school. Seriously I was SUCH a mess. I compulsively checked my phone for any missed calls or texts in between wiping up sprinkles and frosting :)
i love cookies, especially if they have chocolate! ;)
I don’t think I have ever used cake mix to make anything other than cake, but strawberry cake mix sounds awesome. I had the best apple cinnamon gluten-free cupcakes yesterday, but strawberry sounds so good right now.
the cupcakes sound great!
My kids would be SO into these!! Love them and headed to pin them
What a perfect valentine cookie! To cute!
Wow, what gorgeous pictures! The strawberry cakes would be very sweet for a little one’s birthday party.
~Emily~
I think anything in a funky colour just looks so much more fun to eat! The red velvet cake definitely comes out in abundance around Valentine’s time, but I even love the green cookies you see in March around St. Paddy’s Day lol.
I am officially crowning you cookie queen. ;)
I need these. Now.
These look wonderful, gorgeous colors and so pretty and girly. :-) And they make me want strawberry season to get here ASAP!
When Livi is away at school I totally make and buy her things because I miss her so much – and she only goes 3 afternoons a week! Ha :) Kindergarten is going to kick my butt.
Have you ever watched the CBS show 2 Broke Girls? (It’s got some good wit and humor) One girl bakes cupcakes and she finally spilled the beans that her “secret” ingredient is cake mix.
These cookies are so pretty!! I’ve never even seen strawberry cake mix, but just know I would love it. Yum!
I bet her eyes did light up! These are so pretty and pink and, well… pretty!!!
Oh, I love these! They’re just so darned pretty – pink makes everything taste better, I think!
These look adorable. And delicious to boot.