Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies Recipe — Soft, Chewy Treats

I love a quick cookie recipe, and these strawberry cake mix cookies are as easy as they come. A boxed strawberry cake mix becomes a soft, pink cookie with a sweet cream cheese center. Their color makes them ideal for Valentine’s Day, baby showers, or any time you want an uncomplicated, pretty dessert.

Top down view of a plate of strawberry cookies.

Because the base is a cake mix, the ingredient list is short—these cookies require just six primary ingredients and minimal prep.

You simply mix the dough, enclose a small portion of sweetened cream cheese inside each cookie, and roll the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking.

While baking, the cookies stay soft with a delicate crackle on top and a cheesecake-like center that adds a creamy contrast to the tender cookie exterior.

They work well for parties, cookie trays, or classroom treats. You can also pair them on a tray with other bright cookies—red velvet cheesecake cookies make a lovely complementary option.

What you’ll need:

This list is short; exact amounts are provided in the recipe card below.

  • Cream cheese (block-style, softened for the filling or cold and cubed if making filling to chill)
  • Powdered sugar (for the filling and for rolling the cookies)
  • Strawberry cake mix (boxed)
  • Unsalted butter (melted)
  • All-purpose flour
  • Large eggs
Ingredients used in strawberry cake mix cookies.

How to make strawberry cake mix cookies with cream cheese

Cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl.
Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth, then chill until firm.
Eggs, cake mix, flour and butter in a bowl.
Combine cake mix, flour, melted butter, and eggs; chill the dough briefly.
Cream cheese in the center of strawberry cookie dough.
Scoop dough, place cream cheese in the center, wrap the dough and roll into balls.
Cookie dough ball in a bowl of powdered sugar.
Roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat generously.
Cookie dough balls dipped in powdered sugar.
Arrange unbaked dough balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
Strawberry cake mix cookies on a sheet pan.
Bake until tops crack and set; cool on the pan before moving to a rack.

Tips and FAQs for the best cookies

  • Chill both the cream cheese filling and the cookie dough. Chilled filling is easier to handle and helps prevent the filling from oozing during baking.
  • If the dough sticks to your hands while sealing, dampen your fingers slightly to help shape and seal each ball.
  • If you prefer a simpler version, skip the cream cheese filling and press white chocolate chips or another mix-in into each ball before baking.
Bite taken out of a strawberry cookie.

How do I store leftover cookies?

Store extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

You can freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to two months; thaw in the fridge before serving.

More Cookie Recipes

  • Mini Egg Cookies
  • Butter Pecan Cookies
  • Sugar Cookies
  • Key Lime Cookies
  • Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • M&M Cookies
Strawberry cake mix cookies in a stack.

Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling

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Author: Kimberly Vargo
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Cool Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings

Ingredients

Filling

  • 6 ounces cream cheese, block-style; cold and cubed
  • ½ cup powdered sugar

Cookies

  • 15.25 ounce box strawberry cake mix
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Make the filling: beat the cold, cubed cream cheese with ½ cup powdered sugar until combined. Refrigerate until firm enough to scoop.
  • Make the dough: in a large bowl combine the strawberry cake mix, ¼ cup flour, melted butter, and eggs until just combined. Chill the dough for 10–15 minutes to make it easier to handle.
  • Portion the dough using a 2-tablespoon scoop. Flatten each portion into a disc roughly the size of your palm. Place 1–2 teaspoons of the chilled cream cheese filling in the center.
  • Wrap the dough around the filling, rolling briefly to seal. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar to coat.
  • Arrange dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until the tops are cracked and set and the bottoms are just starting to brown.
  • Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

  • Nutrition and calorie counts are approximate and depend on brands and portion sizes.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to two months.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 cookies
Calories: 393 kcal
Carbohydrates: 51 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 19 g

Meet Kimberly

Hi, I’m Kimberly Vargo. Comfort food is at the heart of everything I make—easy dinners, sides, desserts, cocktails, and condiments. Much of my inspiration comes from family recipes, personal favorites, and vintage cookbooks.

More about Kimberly
Photo of Kimberly Vargo in front of a bookcase.