Description

Delight in these luscious Strawberry Brownies made effortlessly with a strawberry cake mix. Featuring a moist, rich base topped with a creamy strawberry-flavored frosting and sprinkled with freeze-dried strawberries for a perfect balance of sweetness and fruity flavor, this dessert is an easy yet impressive treat for any occasion.

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

Strawberry 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 Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it with nonstick spray. Set aside, ensuring the pan is ready for the batter.
Mix Brownie Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the strawberry cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture will be thick and dense, which is expected for this batter.
Bake the Brownies: Spoon the thick batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the brownies are done.
Prepare the Frosting: While the brownies cool, make the frosting by whisking together the strawberry preserves and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth and fully blended.
Complete the Frosting: Add the powdered sugar, salt, and milk to the cream cheese mixture. Whisk thoroughly until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
Frost and Garnish: Once brownies have cooled completely, spread the strawberry frosting evenly over the top using a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the chopped freeze-dried strawberries over the frosting for an added burst of strawberry flavor and texture.
Serve: Cut the strawberry brownies into desired portions and serve. Enjoy this sweet, fruity twist on classic brownies!

Notes

Make sure the brownies are fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
You can substitute freeze-dried strawberries with fresh chopped strawberries for a different texture, but it may affect frosting stability.
Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother frosting.
For a more intense strawberry flavor, gently fold in an additional teaspoon of strawberry extract into the frosting.
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: strawberry brownies, cake mix brownies, strawberry dessert, easy brownies, frosted brownies, fruity brownies, quick dessert