Strawberry Crinkle Cookies are a simple and scrumptious treat that are made perfect for Valentine’s Day! They come together in just minutes with only a handful of easy ingredients, and they taste absolutely wonderful. With a sweet strawberry flavor, a soft, chewy texture, and a dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies will have you falling in love at first bite!
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Whether you’re making these festive treats for Valentine’s day or simply craving a quick, fun dessert, these crinkle cookies are sure to impress! Not only are they easy to make, but they’re even easier to enjoy. Give these sweet pink cookies a try, you won’t be disappointed!
Strawberry desserts are perfect for Valentine’s Day with their vibrant pink color and sweet flavor. Celebrate with our easy Strawberry Tres Leches Cake, creamy Vanilla Pudding Strawberry Pie, layered Strawberry Shortcake Trifle, or a light Strawberry Angel Food Cake Dessert—each one a delicious way to spread the love!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Just 4 Ingredients – With only four basic ingredients, you can’t deny how simple this recipe is! You’ll most likely already have the majority of ingredients in your kitchen, making this effortless treat even easier.
- Great for Any Occasion – These crinkle cookies are super easy to customize for any celebration! Swap the strawberry cake mix for lemon at Easter, red velvet for Christmas, or funfetti for birthdays. The possibilities are endless!
- Quick and Simple – No need to spend hours in the kitchen! These cookies come together in minutes, making them perfect for last-minute desserts, bake sales, or those moments when you just need a quick, homemade treat.
- Soft, Chewy, and Irresistible – Each bite is packed with a soft and chewy texture, coated in a sweet powdered sugar crust that creates that signature crinkle look. They’re as beautiful as they are delicious!
- Fun to Make with Kids – This easy, mix-and-bake recipe is great for little helpers in the kitchen. Rolling the dough in powdered sugar is a fun (and slightly messy!) step that kids will love.
- Perfect for Gifting – These bright, cheerful cookies make a great homemade gift. Pack them in a festive tin or wrap them up in cellophane for a thoughtful treat that’s sure to bring a smile.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make these Strawberry Crinkle Cookies!
- Strawberry cake mix gives these cookies a fruity, strawberry flavor and a bright pink color. Boxed cake mix makes this recipe incredibly simple and leaves you with more consistent results!
- Eggs bind the ingredients together and keep your cookies soft and fluffy.
- Vegetable oil makes these cookies chewy and moist, leaving you with melt-in-your-mouth perfection!
- Powdered sugar gives these cookies their beloved crinkle effect and an extra dusting of sweetness!
- Mini heart-shaped candies add a festive touch making these cookies perfect for Valentine’s Day or any sweet celebration!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Cake Mix Varieties – This recipe is incredibly versatile! Swap the strawberry cake mix for lemon, vanilla, chocolate, or funfetti, or try a red velvet cake mix twist, just like in my red velvet cake or the indulgent red velvet bourbon cake balls for a rich and festive treat!
- Vegetable Oil Swap – Don’t have vegetable oil or prefer an alternative? You can replace it with 8 oz of Cool Whip, melted butter, or even coconut oil for a slight flavor variation. Keep in mind that butter will add a richer taste, while Cool Whip creates an extra light and fluffy texture.
- For the Chocolate Lovers – Take these cookies up a notch by mixing in white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even mini chocolate chips for a decadent surprise in every bite!
- Confetti Crinkle Cookies – Make these cookies extra fun and festive by folding in rainbow sprinkles, holiday-themed sprinkles, or even crushed freeze-dried strawberries for added texture and color.
- Berry Blast – Enhance the strawberry flavor by adding freeze-dried strawberry powder or a few drops of strawberry extract to the dough for an extra punch of fruitiness.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use a gluten-free cake mix to make these cookies suitable for gluten-free diets without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Dipped & Drizzled – For an elegant finishing touch, dip half of each cookie in melted white chocolate or drizzle them with a simple powdered sugar glaze for added sweetness.
How to Make Strawberry Cookies with Cake Mix
Once you've gathered all your ingredients, preheat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside and proceed with the steps below for a simple and delicious Valentine’s Day treat!
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil until dough is smooth.
- Step 2: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie dough scoop, scoop a ball of dough. Gently roll it in your hands until smooth.
- Step 3: Roll each ball of dough in the powdered sugar until it is completely covered.
- Step 4: Place covered balls of dough on your prepared baking sheets at least 3 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Press a heart candy into each cookie while warm, then cool completely before storing.
Helpful Tips
- Be Careful Not to Over Bake – Cookies should have firm edges and soft centers, but they shouldn’t turn golden brown. Remove them promptly to avoid drying out.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – Take your eggs out of the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before baking. Room temperature eggs mix more easily and result in a smoother, more consistent dough.
- Don’t Over Mix the Dough – Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Over mixing can make the cookies dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Chill Sticky Dough – If the dough feels too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This makes rolling the dough into balls much easier.
- Space Out Cookies – Leave about 2-3 inches between each ball of dough on the baking sheet to prevent them from spreading into each other as they bake.
- Use a Cookie Scoop – For uniform cookies that bake evenly, use a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough.
- Add Candies Quickly – Press the heart candies into the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven while the cookies are still warm and soft.
Recipe FAQs
Crinkle cookies get their signature look from the powdered sugar cracking as the dough expands and spreads during baking.
To make sure you get the cracked, crinkle effect, you’ll want to be sure your balls of dough are completely coated in powdered sugar. It’s okay to be generous with the powdered sugar to guarantee you get that crinkled look!
Yes, it’s necessary to refrigerate the dough for 15-30 minutes to make it easier to handle and ensure the cookies bake with the perfect texture and crinkle effect.
Yes, you can use any flavor of cake mix! Popular options include chocolate, lemon, red velvet, or vanilla, making it easy to customize the cookies for different tastes or occasions.
Absolutely! White chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, or even sprinkles can be mixed into the dough for extra flavor and texture.
Flat cookies can result from not chilling sticky dough, using warm baking sheets, or expired leavening agents in the cake mix. Make sure to follow the recipe steps and use fresh ingredients.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. To maintain freshness, place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
To freeze unbaked dough, roll it into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, and store in a freezer bag. When ready to bake, roll in powdered sugar and bake as directed, adding 1-2 extra minutes if needed.
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Strawberry Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 13.25 ounce box strawberry cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil until dough is smooth.
- If dough is sticky, place it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes until it is not.
- Place powdered sugar in a small bowl.
- Using a 1-tablespoon cookie dough scoop, scoop a ball of dough. Gently roll it in your hands until smooth.
- Next, roll each ball of dough in the powdered sugar until it is completely covered.
- Place covered balls of dough on your prepared baking sheets at least 3 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, gently press a heart-shaped candy into the center of each cookie while they’re still warm.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before serving or transferring to a storage container.
Notes
- Be Careful Not to Overbake – Cookies should have firm edges and soft centers, but they shouldn’t turn golden brown. Remove them promptly to avoid drying out.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – Take your eggs out of the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before baking. Room temperature eggs mix more easily and result in a smoother, more consistent dough.
- Don’t Over Mix the Dough – Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the cookies dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Chill Sticky Dough – If the dough feels too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This makes rolling the dough into balls much easier.
- Space Out Cookies – Leave about 2-3 inches between each ball of dough on the baking sheet to prevent them from spreading into each other as they bake.
- Use a Cookie Scoop – For uniform cookies that bake evenly, use a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough.
- Add Candies Quickly – Press the heart candies into the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven while the cookies are still warm and soft.
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