Strawberry Cookies | Cake Mix Cookies

Something about February makes pink desserts, heart-shaped treats, and colorful sprinkles feel perfectly appropriate. These soft and sweet Strawberry Cookies fit right in with all the Valentine’s Day fun.

Pink has never been one of my favorite colors. As a matter of fact, I typically avoid it at all costs. Ha! However, there is one time of year when I make an exception: Valentine’s Day.

Of course, you don’t have to wait until February to make them. Their pretty pink color also makes these cookies a lovely choice for spring gatherings, Easter celebrations, baby showers, birthday parties, or summer picnics. Honestly, any day that calls for cookies is a good day to make a batch.

Made with strawberry cake mix and a handful of simple ingredients, these easy cookies are soft, tender, and full of strawberry flavor. Rolling the dough in granulated sugar before baking gives each cookie a lightly crisp, sparkly coating that makes them look extra special.

Easy Strawberry Cookies Made with Cake Mix

I originally found this recipe in a 2010 issue of Sandra Lee’s Semi-Homemade magazine. She called them Strawberry Sandies, and I first made them for a picnic several years ago.

At the time, I remember thinking they were a little on the sweet side. However, when I made them again, I found them to be a delicious treat. Maybe my sweet tooth has changed—or perhaps that cheerful pink color won me over.

Either way, these Strawberry Cookies are easy to prepare and require ingredients you can find at just about any grocery store. Using a boxed cake mix adds plenty of strawberry flavor without requiring strawberry extract, fresh berries, or several additional ingredients.

This is also a convenient recipe to keep in your back pocket when you need a quick dessert for a party, potluck, picnic, or classroom celebration.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

There is plenty to love about this simple cookie recipe.

First, the strawberry cake mix gives the cookies their pretty pink color and fruity flavor. No food coloring is necessary.

The preparation is also incredibly easy. You simply combine the cake mix with flour, water, softened butter, and an egg. After chilling the dough, shape it into balls, coat each one in sugar, and bake.

These cookies are:

• Soft and tender
• Sweet with a light strawberry flavor
• Made with simple ingredients
• Pretty enough for parties
• Easy to prepare in advance
• Delicious throughout the year

You can serve them just as they are or dress them up with a few festive additions.

Ingredients for Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

You only need six ingredients to prepare this recipe:

Strawberry cake mix: This creates the flavor, color, and foundation of the cookies.

All-purpose flour: Additional flour helps transform the cake batter into a thicker cookie dough.

Water: A small amount of water provides the moisture needed to bring the dough together.

Butter: Use softened butter so it blends evenly into the dough.

Egg: One large egg adds structure and richness.

Granulated sugar: The cookie dough balls are rolled in sugar before baking, creating a sweet and slightly sparkly exterior.

Please Note: Be sure to check the size of your cake-mix box. Many boxed cake mixes are smaller than they were when older recipes were originally developed. A smaller mix can sometimes create softer or stickier cookie dough.

How to Make Strawberry Cookies

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the cookies from sticking.

Pour the granulated sugar into a shallow bowl and set it aside. You will use this to coat the cookie dough before baking.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, all-purpose flour, water, softened butter, and egg. Beat the ingredients on low speed with an electric mixer until everything is well blended.

The dough may feel softer and stickier than traditional cookie dough. Refrigerate it for 30 to 60 minutes before shaping. Chilling gives the flour time to absorb some of the moisture and helps firm the butter, making the dough easier to handle.

Once chilled, scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough. Shape each portion into a ball and roll it in the bowl of sugar until evenly coated.

Place the dough balls approximately two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten the tops with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are set around the edges. Avoid overbaking them if you want a soft texture.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for approximately two minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before storing or serving.

What to Do If the Strawberry Cookie Dough Is Sticky

Cake-mix sizes have changed since this recipe was first published. Older cake mixes often contained more dry mix than many boxes sold today. Because of that difference, your dough may be softer or stickier than expected.

Start by refrigerating the dough for 30 to 60 minutes. In many cases, chilling will make it firm enough to scoop and shape.

A small cookie scoop can also make the process much easier. Scoop a portion of dough directly into the sugar, coat it well, and then gently shape it with your fingers. The sugar will help prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.

If the chilled dough is still too soft to scoop, add all-purpose flour one tablespoon at a time. Mix after each addition and stop as soon as the dough becomes manageable. Adding too much flour may make the finished cookies dry or dense.

You can also use two spoons to portion the dough if you prefer not to roll it with your hands.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Cookies

For the best results, measure the flour carefully. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it with a knife instead of scooping directly from the container. Scooping can pack too much flour into the cup.

Make sure the butter is softened but not melted. Melted butter can make the cookie dough much looser and may cause the cookies to spread excessively.

Chilling the dough is especially helpful when your kitchen is warm or the butter has become very soft.

Keep an eye on the cookies toward the end of the baking time. Their pink color can make it difficult to judge doneness by appearance. Look for set edges and tops that no longer appear wet.

Finally, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes. They will continue to set as they cool.

Strawberry Cookie Variations

These cookies are delicious as written, but you can easily customize them for different occasions.

Try mixing white chocolate chips into the dough for a strawberries-and-cream flavor. Mini chocolate chips would also be delicious.

For Valentine’s Day, add red, pink, and white sprinkles to the dough or gently press a few sprinkles onto each cookie before baking.

You could also roll the cookies in powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for a crinkle-cookie appearance. Keep in mind that powdered sugar may absorb some moisture and become less visible after baking.

For a simple finishing touch, drizzle the cooled cookies with melted white chocolate.

When to Serve Strawberry Cookies

The pretty pink color makes these cookies an easy choice for Valentine’s Day. Package several in a clear treat bag, tie it with ribbon, and you have a simple homemade gift for friends, neighbors, teachers, or coworkers.

They would also look lovely on a dessert table for a bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, or Easter brunch.

During warmer months, pack them for a picnic, barbecue, family reunion, or road trip. Since they don’t require frosting or refrigeration, they’re easy to transport and serve.

And, of course, you can make them simply because you’re craving a soft strawberry cookie. No special occasion required.

How to Store Strawberry Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Store them at room temperature for up to four or five days.

To help keep them soft, place a small piece of sandwich bread inside the container. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, helping them maintain their tender texture.

You can also freeze the baked cookies. Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers and freeze them for up to two months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Other cookie recipes you might enjoy:
Almond Cookie Recipe
Frosted Banana Cookies
Lemon Lime Cookie Crisps
German Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Make These Strawberry Cookies for Your Next Celebration

Now the only question is when you’ll make a batch. Will you serve them as a sweet Valentine’s Day treat, add them to a spring dessert table, or pack them for a summer picnic?

Decisions, decisions.

Whenever you make these Strawberry Cookies, swing back and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear how they turned out and whether you added your own special twist.

This post was originally published in 2017 and updated on July 28, 2026 with helpful tips, and recipe information.