Description

These Strawberry Brownies are a delightful twist on traditional brownies, made easy with a strawberry cake mix base. They feature a rich, moist strawberry-flavored brownie topped with a creamy strawberry preserves and cream cheese frosting, finished with a sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberries for added texture and burst of flavor. Perfect for dessert or a special treat, these brownies bake quickly and deliver a luscious strawberry indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Batter

15.25 oz Strawberry Cake Mix (Pillsbury)
2 large eggs
½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, melted)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting

2 Tbsp strawberry preserves
1 Tbsp cream cheese (softened)
¾ cup powdered sugar
⅛ tsp salt
1 tbsp milk

Topping

2 Tbsp freeze dried strawberries (chopped into small pieces)

Instructions

Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the brownies later.
Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the strawberry cake mix, 2 large eggs, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until combined into a thick batter.
Bake the brownies: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan and spread it with a rubber spatula to level the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Prepare the frosting: While the brownies are cooling, mix together strawberry preserves and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl using a whisk until smooth and well combined.
Finish the frosting: Add the powdered sugar, salt, and milk to the cream cheese mixture and whisk thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
Frost and decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies using a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the chopped freeze-dried strawberries on top for added flavor and crunch.
Serve: Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious strawberry brownies!

Notes

Ensure the brownies are fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
You can substitute freeze-dried strawberries with fresh finely chopped strawberries, but the topping may be less crunchy.
Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Strawberry brownies, cake mix brownies, strawberry dessert, easy brownies, cream cheese frosting, strawberry preserves frosting