Name: Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 19 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 15.25-ounce box strawberry cake mix; 2 large eggs; ½ cup salted butter, softened; 1½ tbsp strawberry syrup; 3 tbsp lemon juice (about one lemon); ½ tsp baking soda; 1 cup white chocolate chips

There’s something truly magical about a soft, flavorful cookie that almost feels like a cake bite in disguise. This Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe brings that delightful combo to life with the perfect balance of fruity sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture you’ll want to make again and again.

A stack of four pink cookies with white chunks inside is placed on a white plate over a white marbled surface. The top cookie has a bite taken out, showing a soft and slightly airy texture. Around the plate, there are fresh whole and half strawberries with a vibrant red color. In the background, more cookies and a bottle of milk are seen blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I baked these strawberry cake mix cookies — they came out soft, lightly tangy, and so tender they practically melted on my tongue. It was such a simple mix that delivered big on flavor and texture, making it a favorite in my kitchen fast.

Speedy Prep: From start to finish, these cookies take less than 20 minutes, perfect when you want a quick sweet fix.
Only a Few Ingredients: With mostly pantry staples plus a strawberry cake mix, it’s an easy throw-together recipe that still feels special.
Unexpected Flavor Boost: The subtle tang from lemon juice balances the sweetness beautifully, making each bite irresistible.
Soft & Chunky Texture: White chocolate chips add playful bursts of creamy sweetness that make the cookies stand out.

The image shows several pink cookies with white chip pieces scattered on top, laid out on white parchment paper on a beige baking tray. The cookies have a soft, slightly uneven surface texture with visible white chips. Around the cookies are whole and halved bright red strawberries with green stems, adding vibrant color contrast. Additional white chips are scattered loosely on the parchment paper and tray edges. The tray rests on a light purple cloth over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a delicious example of how a handful of ingredients can come together to create something mouthwatering and unique. Each ingredient has its role in texture, taste, or moisture, so here’s the scoop on why they matter and some tips for picking the best:

Flat lay of a mound of pink strawberry cake mix powder on a simple white ceramic plate, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells beside it, a small square of pale yellow salted butter on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl filled with glossy red strawberry syrup, a small white bowl holding fresh lemon juice with a halved lemon nearby showing vibrant yellow flesh, a small heap of fine white baking soda powder on a white ceramic plate, and a neat pile of plump white chocolate chips displayed on another white ceramic dish, all arranged symmetrically and naturally placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Strawberry Cake Mix: The foundation of the cookie, bringing that strong strawberry flavor and a soft texture that feels almost fluffy.
Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the cookies, keeping them tender but firm enough to hold shape.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and moisture. I like to soften it just right so it blends seamlessly.
Strawberry Syrup: Amplifies the strawberry punch — if you love extra fruitiness, don’t skip this.
Lemon Juice: The secret ingredient — a splash brightens and balances all that sweetness perfectly.
Baking Soda: Gives a little rise and lift, helping keep the cookies soft and slightly airy.
White Chocolate Chips: These pockets of creamy sweetness contrast beautifully with the fruity cake base.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of the Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your taste. I’ve played around with add-ins and even the mix-ins, so don’t be shy about making it your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap white chocolate chips for chopped macadamia nuts — it adds a satisfying crunch that’s unexpected with the soft cookie.
Dairy-Free Option: You can easily use vegan butter to make these dairy-free without changing the texture much.
Extra Fruity Boost: Mix in freeze-dried strawberries crushed into small bits for an added tart pop in every bite.
Less Sweet: If you prefer a less sweet cookie, cutting back on the strawberry syrup a bit works well without losing flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking—trust me, this little step saves a lot of cleanup!

Step 2: Mix the Batter Just Right

In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, softened salted butter, strawberry syrup, lemon juice, and baking soda. Stir it all until you get a uniform, slightly thick batter. Don’t overmix—it’ll help keep the cookies tender and soft.

Step 3: Fold in Those White Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the white chocolate chips. This is where your cookies get those creamy sweet pockets that make every bite a little more special.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake with Care

Using about a 2-inch cookie scoop, drop dough balls spaced 2 inches apart on the prepared tray. Bake for 8-10 minutes—watch closely! You want the edges to just set, with little to no browning. Overbaking will dry these delicate cookies out.

Step 5: Cooling is Key

Once out of the oven, give the cookies 4 minutes to cool on the pan before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up just enough without losing softness.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few key tips that really make this Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe shine. These little adjustments prevent common pitfalls and elevate your results every time.

Don’t Overbake: I know it’s tempting to keep baking until the cookies look “done,” but for this recipe, slightly underbaking keeps them soft and chewy.
Softened Butter is Crucial: Butter that’s too cold won’t blend smoothly, and melted butter makes the dough runny—aim for softened but still solid.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor beautifully and adds that perfect zing.
Cool Before Moving: Moving the cookies off the sheet too soon can cause them to break — give them a few minutes to firm up.

How to Serve Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

strawberry cake mix cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting these cookies with a little powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance — it enhances their fresh, fruity vibe. Sometimes, I drizzle melted white chocolate on top to tease the chocolate chips inside, making them even more irresistible.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert, or alongside a hot cup of green tea to balance the sweetness. For brunch, they’re a lovely treat next to a fruity smoothie or fresh berry yogurt.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or showers, I stack these cookies with layers of whipped cream and fresh strawberries between them, creating a quick strawberry cookie “cake” that gets raves every time. Wrapped in pretty parchment and tied with a ribbon, they also make thoughtful, homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft for about 5 days this way. Because they’re very tender, I lay them carefully in a single layer with parchment paper between layers to prevent breakage.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works well if you want to make a batch ahead. I freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before enjoying.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feel, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm briefly in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. They soften up beautifully and taste like they just came out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different flavor cake mix for this recipe?

Absolutely! While strawberry gives these cookies their signature flavor, I’ve tried this same method with vanilla or lemon cake mixes, and they turn out great. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will shift accordingly.

Why do these cookies need lemon juice?

Lemon juice adds a subtle brightness that balances the natural sweetness of the cake mix and syrup. It prevents the cookies from tasting overly sweet and keeps the flavor fresh and vibrant.

Can I substitute butter with oil?

Butter brings flavor and a tender crumb that oil can’t quite replicate. You can try substituting oil in a pinch, but the cookies may turn out a bit greasier and less flavorful. I recommend sticking with butter if possible.

How can I prevent these cookies from breaking easily?

Because these cookies are soft and slightly crumbly, handling them gently is key. Allow them to cool completely on a rack before moving, and store them in layers with parchment paper in between. Avoid stacking too many at once.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe quickly became one of my go-to treats whenever I want something that feels a little indulgent but comes together so easily. Baking these makes my kitchen smell like a berry dream, and sharing them always brings a smile. I hope you enjoy making and savoring these as much as I do — they're that kind of comforting, joyful recipe you'll want in your rotation.