Pin it
Take regular brownies to a whole new level with these mouthwatering Strawberry Brownies. Thanks to a smart cake mix trick, these adorable pink treats pack a punch of strawberry goodness in every chewy mouthful. When I first baked these for my weekend treat club, they vanished in seconds – even quicker than classic chocolate ones.
These brownies have turned into my go-to for surprise visits. Just days ago, I threw together a batch when my daughter had friends drop by without warning, and they thought they came from a pricey sweet shop.
Choosing Your Components
- Strawberry cake mix: Works as the main base, giving structure and flavor to our treats
- Salted butter: Delivers that can't-resist chewiness and rich taste sensation
- Strawberry extract: Boosts the berry flavor throughout your brownies
- Strawberry preserves: Brings genuine fruit taste and creates a shiny, attractive topping
- Eggs: Add stability and help create that desired fudgy quality
- Powdered sugar: Mixes with preserves to make the perfect drizzly topping
Creating Your Sweet Treats
- Setting Up Your Tray:
- Spray your baking dish with non-stick stuff before putting down parchment paper. This easy step stops the paper from moving around as you work with the sticky mixture.
- Mixing It Up:
- Combine your cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until you get a thick, even blend. It should look like normal brownie mix – thick and shiny.
- Baking It Right:
- Push the mix evenly into your ready pan, making sure it reaches the corners. Look for the key signs they're done – edges pulling away slightly and a toothpick coming out clean.
- Adding The Finish:
- After they've totally cooled down, top these brownies with a smooth strawberry coating, spreading it all the way to the edges for that final tasty touch.
Pin it
My crew really goes crazy for these when strawberries are in season. We usually put them out with some fresh berries, making a nice mix between the sweet brownies and tangy fresh fruit.
Stunning Presentation Ideas
Show off these treats on a bright white plate with sliced fresh strawberries and a light sprinkling of powdered sugar. For something extra fancy, serve them a bit warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
Fun Twists To Try
Switch things up by throwing in some white chocolate bits for extra luxury, or add swirls of cream cheese for a strawberry cheesecake feel. For those who can't get enough chocolate, pour some dark chocolate topping over the finished brownies.
Storing Your Treats
Put these goodies in a sealed container with wax paper between each layer. They'll stay perfectly soft for three days on your counter or up to three months if you pop them in the freezer.
Pin it
Through my many years of baking, I've found that often the easiest recipes bring the greatest happiness. These Strawberry Brownies show this perfectly – they're super easy to make but always bring happy faces and people asking how to make them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use oil instead of butter?
- Absolutely! You can use the exact same amount of oil to replace the melted butter.
- → Is strawberry extract necessary?
- It boosts the strawberry taste, but you can leave it out if you don't have any. The cake mix has plenty of flavor already.
- → Why line the pan with parchment?
- The parchment paper lets you pull the brownies out easily for better cutting.
- → Can I make these ahead?
- For sure! They stay fresh in a sealed container for many days.
- → Why is my batter so thick?
- That's totally normal! Thick batter creates the dense, chewy texture you want in brownies.