Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

By mnhenselen

These cakey strawberry cookies with rich vanilla cream cheese frosting are super easy to make and perfect for holidays like Valentine's Day and July 4th.

Ingredients

• COOKIES:
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup + 1/8 cup strawberry cake mix (about half of an 18.25-ounce box)
• FROSTING:
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar

Details

Servings 12
Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 60mins
Adapted from averiecooks.com

Preparation

Step 1

COOKIES:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl combine the softened butter, egg, vanilla and stir by hand or with a mixer until combined. Add  the cake mix and stir until smooth. If the dough seems too wet to be cookie dough, add a bit more cake mix, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s less wet. Conversely, if the dough seems dry and it’s not combining, add a tablespoon or two of water.

If time permits, I recommend chilling the dough by placing the mixing bowl in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. Chilled dough spreads less during the baking process.

Form 1 inch balls on a Silpat-lined, parchment paper-lined, or cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Allow for adequate spacing because they do spread; which is why I recommend chilling the dough and do not exceed 1 rounded tablespoon-sized or 1 inch sized balls (I only placed 9 cookies on one cookie sheet and do not recommend trying to fit the batch on one cookie sheet).

Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are barely browned. They make look a bit loose and jiggly after only 8 to 10 minutes but they will continue to cook on the sheets after you remove the from the oven and will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake. Allow the cookies to cool well (on the cookie sheets is fine) before attempting to move them.

While the cookies are baking, make the frosting.

FROSTING:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer or whisk by hand. Add the vanilla extract and add two cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. If you like thick(er) frosting, add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. I used nearly 4 cups of powdered sugar in mine because I like very thick frosting (shown in the photos).

After the cookies have cooled, frost them (I applied a thick layer). Finish with sprinkles, sanding sugar, or other garnishes such as coconut flakes or chocolate shavings, as desired.  Optionally, make sandwich cookies.

Because these cookies are frosted with cream cheese frosting, you may want store them in the refrigerator if they're going to be out more than a day or so.