Strawberry Brownies are soft, chewy dessert bars (called a brownie based on the chewy texture!) bursting with strawberry flavor, made with just three ingredients and a simple lemon glaze. They are easy to make, and I love their beautiful pink color–perfect for Valentine’s Day, Easter, or a springtime treat! If you love easy, flavorful dessert bars like these Strawberry Brownies, you will definitely want to try my Strawberry Mousse Brownies too.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cake Mix: Look for a box of strawberry cake mix. It is the base of the brownies and gives each bite that sweet strawberry flavor! Do not follow the box instructions; simply mix the cake mix with the amount of oil and eggs in this recipe.
- Oil: Vegetable oil helps keep the brownies soft and moist. If you don’t have oil, substitute 1/3 cup of melted butter instead. You could also try apple sauce, but the texture may be slightly softer.
- Eggs: Eggs are like a binder to keep the batter together and give the brownies a chewy texture.
- Glaze: I chose a lemon glaze for these strawberry brownies to help balance the sweetness (and they are sweet!). The glaze is just made with two ingredients–confectioners’ sugar (also called powdered sugar) and lemon juice.
Can You Add Mix-Ins To Strawberry Cake Mix Brownies?
Yes, you can add mix-ins to the batter. We did test a batch with white chocolate chips, but our taste testers found that to be a bit too sweet. (It is the reason a lemon glaze was added; these brownies really needed a citrus to cut some of the sweetness of the strawberry brownie!) Some other options are chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even small pieces of fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries. Just fold them into the batter before spreading it in the pan. Keep in mind that adding too many mix-ins can change the texture, so try not to overdo it!
How To Tell When Strawberry Brownies Are Done Baking
To know when your Strawberry Cake Mix Brownies are done baking, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), they’re ready. If the toothpick comes out clean, the brownies may be overbaked, so it’s best to check a little earlier. (I start checking at 27 or 28 minutes.) They should be soft and slightly firm to the touch when done.
How To Store Strawberry Brownies
To store strawberry cake mix brownies, first, let them cool completely. Next, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 3-4 days. You could refrigerate them for a few extra days, but that tends to dry out the bars faster.
Can You Freeze Strawberry Brownies?
Yes, you can freeze strawberry cake mix brownies, but I recommend freezing them without the glaze. To freeze the brownies, first, let them cool completely. Next, wrap the brownies tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, store them in a freezer bag; they will last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or microwave them for a few seconds to warm them up. Finally, don’t forget about the glaze, if adding!
Strawberry Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) strawberry cake mix
- ⅓ cup (73 g) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
Strawberry Brownie
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until no dry cake mix remains. The batter will be thick but smooth.
- Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to press the batter evenly.
- Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
Lemon Glaze*
- In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the warm brownies and spread into an even layer.
- Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These are really sweet, but I love the lemon glaze over the top; it is a flavorful combination!
Elizabeth
These are so pretty (but also really sweet)! But, they do not get much easier to make!
Annabelle
If you need a simple dessert to share, these would be perfect! And, the lovely pink color really stands out.
Bella
I like these strawberry 'brownies' with the lemon glaze. I thought they were too sweet with the white chocolate chips, but the lemon glaze really works!
Stephanie
I loved these strawberry cake mix brownies! I will be making a batch (or two or three, since they are so easy) for Easter!
I love this easy recipe! The only problem is that it disappears so quickly!
Lezlee, did you use a 8×8 pan & bake at 350°❓ I did & mine was a total failure 😭 just trying to figure out where I went wrong.
I wonder if i used strawberry lemonade oil instead and lemon oil on the. Icing how that would be?
😭 This was a total flop for me 😭 I followed the exact recipe, step by step using an 8×8 pan. Baked at 350° for the allotted time & it was completely doughy inside.. put back in oven, baked another 15 min. & it came out dense & doughy when I cut them.. where did I go wrong ❓ They smelled Uhmayzin, I was so looking forward to these . Was gonna frost em w/cream cheese icing, then top off w\strawberry crunch.
I’m so sorry your brownies didn’t turn out as expected! A few things might have happened—this batter is super thick, so making sure it’s evenly spread helps. Also, since ovens vary, checking doneness with a toothpick before pulling them out is key (it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter). If you ever try them again, let me know how it goes—I’d love for you to get the perfect batch!
I always substitute no sugar added applesauce for the oil. Should that work ok with these? Excited to try them!
I made these 3-14-25, so so good. Very easy. Tips on what I did… My oven runs hot so only 20min, also I used a flat rectangle pan which I’m unsure the dimensions. I now know next time maybe only do 17 min to be a bit more chewy texture. I believe the sweet part is the glaze not the ‘brownie’. I used little less sugar and bit more lemon. Definitely a sweet treat best with hot tea or coffee. Option would be white chocolate chips or vanilla yogurt chips instead of glaze to be less sweet.