Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe for Dreamiest Indulgence

Sweet memories often dance around my favorite strawberry gooey butter cookies that blend comfort with unexpected delight.

Soft textures mingle with bursts of fruity brightness in this nostalgic treat.

Childhood whispers emerge through each decadent bite, promising pure happiness.

Delicate crumbs promise a moment of pure indulgence that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Bakers searching for something beyond ordinary cookie recipes will adore this simple yet magical creation.

Southern charm meets seasonal freshness in a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

You are about to unlock a recipe that turns ordinary afternoons into something extraordinary.

Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies with a Soft Center

• Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies are a breeze to make, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Requiring just a few simple ingredients and quick mixing, these cookies deliver rich, indulgent taste with minimal kitchen time.
• Ready in under 30 minutes (including chilling), these soft, powdery cookies will become an instant hit with kids and adults alike.
• Ideal for casual gatherings, potlucks, or weekend dessert cravings, these cookies bring sweet strawberry magic to any occasion.

Everything Needed for Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies

• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy flavor and helps create a soft, tender texture for the cookies.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy base for the cookie dough.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.

• Cake Mix: Serves as the primary dry ingredient, providing sweetness and helping to create the cookie's unique texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookies, adding a sweet, delicate exterior and a classic finish.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and ensures easy cleanup.

Bake Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies That Stay Chewy

Step 1: Create Creamy Cookie Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend cream cheese and butter until they become silky smooth and perfectly combined.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until everything is evenly blended.

Step 3: Mix Dough

Fold in cake mix and stir until a thick, sticky dough develops. The mixture should look rich and dense.

Step 4: Chill Dough

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for minimum 30 minutes. This helps firm up the mixture, making it easier to shape.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Station

Heat oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 6: Shape Cookies

Scoop dough into small balls (approximately 1 inch in diameter). Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place cookie balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies are ready when edges look set but centers remain soft and slightly gooey.

Tips to Keep Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Moist

• Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and make the cookies easier to handle, resulting in a perfectly shaped treat.
• Sugar Coating Magic: Roll the cookie balls generously in powdered sugar before baking to create a beautiful crackled surface and add a delightful sweet finish.
• Soft Center Secret: Bake just until the edges are set but the centers remain soft for that classic gooey butter cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Strawberry Swap Trick: Experiment by adding freeze-dried strawberry powder to the cake mix for an intense strawberry flavor that takes these cookies to the next level.
• Storage Savvy: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft, delicate texture.

Store Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Like a Pro

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and soft. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their gooey, soft texture.
• If cookies become slightly dry, add a slice of bread to the container overnight to help restore moisture and softness.

Serve Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies with a Smile

• Pair these gooey butter cookies with beverages and accompaniments that complement their rich, fruity profile.
• Select a light roast Colombian or Ethiopian coffee with subtle berry undertones that will enhance the strawberry notes without overwhelming the cookie's delicate sweetness.
• Serve alongside a cold glass of strawberry milk or a vanilla bean milkshake to amplify the dessert's luscious texture and fruity essence.
• Add fresh strawberry slices, a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream to create a visually stunning and flavor-rich presentation that celebrates the cookie's strawberry character.

Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookie Ideas You Can Personalize

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and use almond flour for added texture.
• Vegan Version: Swap cream cheese and butter with vegan alternatives like coconut cream and plant-based margarine. Use a flax egg instead of regular egg.
• Chocolate Infusion: Mix in cocoa powder or chocolate chips to the dough for a rich, chocolatey flavor profile.
• Fruity Fusion: Fold in diced fresh strawberries or replace vanilla extract with strawberry extract for an intense berry taste.

Answers to Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookie Questions

• Why does the recipe require refrigerating the dough?

Refrigerating helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and shape into balls. It also prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring a better texture and shape.

• Can I use fresh strawberries in this recipe?

No, this recipe uses strawberry cake mix for flavor. Fresh strawberries would add too much moisture and potentially change the cookie’s texture. Stick to the cake mix for the best results.

• What's the purpose of rolling the cookies in powdered sugar?

Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar creates a sweet, delicate coating and helps the cookies develop a slightly crackled surface when baked. It also adds a beautiful white finish to the cookies.

• How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for set edges but soft centers. The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges and still appear slightly underbaked in the middle. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Gooey strawberry butter cookies deliver sweet Southern comfort with a delightful twist. Homemade magic melts in your mouth, inviting you to savor each incredible bite of pure dessert bliss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) strawberry cake mix
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating:

• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Cream together softened cream cheese and butter until uniformly smooth, using an electric mixer at medium speed.
2. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until mixture becomes homogeneous.
3. Gradually fold in dry cake mix, stirring until a sticky, cohesive dough develops.
4. Chill the prepared dough in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes to enhance workability and texture.
5. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Form the chilled dough into compact, rounded spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter.
7. Generously coat each dough ball with powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing between each piece.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges while centers remain soft and slightly underdone.
10. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent excessive spreading during baking, ensuring a perfectly soft and chewy texture.
• Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar for a beautiful crackled appearance and sweet, delicate coating that melts in your mouth.
• For gluten-free option, substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free yellow cake mix to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising flavor.
• Experiment with flavor variations by adding finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries into the dough for an intense fruity punch and vibrant color.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg