Heavenly Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe: Sweet Joy!

Sweet, soft, and utterly irresistible, these heavenly strawberry gooey butter cookies melt in your mouth with every delectable bite.

Bursting with vibrant strawberry flavor, the recipe transforms simple ingredients into a magical dessert.

Cream cheese and cake mix form the delightful base of these extraordinary treats.

Soft edges and a gooey center make these cookies a standout among classic desserts.

The delicate pink hue hints at the luscious strawberry essence waiting to tantalize your taste buds.

Each cookie promises a delightful blend of sweetness and texture that will leave you craving more.

Bake a batch and watch as these irresistible cookies become the star of any gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies

For Base and Binding:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy backdrop that softens cookie texture and adds creamy depth.
  • Butter: Delivers luxurious flavor and helps create tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie structure.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to smooth, cohesive dough consistency.
For Flavor and Sweetness:
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall taste with warm, aromatic undertone.
  • Cake Mix: Simplifies recipe while adding sweetness and classic cake-like flavor profile.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate exterior coating and adds elegant, soft sweetness.
For Finishing and Coating:
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides beautiful snow-white dusting and subtle sweet finish to cookies.
  • Strawberry Flavor (Optional): Consider adding strawberry extract or dried strawberry powder for extra fruity twist, selecting high-quality, pure ingredient for best results.

Tools for Mixing and Scooping These Chewy Cookies

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese and butter to a creamy consistency.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Baking Sheet: Needed for baking the cookies evenly.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps prevent cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
  • Scoop or Spoon: Used for portioning dough into uniform balls.
  • Cooling Rack: Optional but helpful for cooling cookies after baking.

How to Bake Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Just Right

  • Whip Up the Base

Blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth, creating a luxurious foundation for your cookies.

  • Blend in Moisture

Introduce egg and vanilla, stirring until everything melds together perfectly.

  • Create Cookie Dough

Mix in cake mix, transforming the mixture into a delightful, sticky dough.

  • Chill and Prep

Tuck the dough into the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute rest, allowing it to firm up.

  • Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Shape and Dust

Roll dough into adorable little balls, then generously coat each one in powdered sugar for a magical finish.

  • Arrange and Bake

Spread the sugar-covered gems on the baking sheet, giving them breathing room.

  • Capture Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges look set but centers remain wonderfully soft, creating irresistible strawberry gooey butter cookies that’ll make everyone swoon.

Tips for Getting That Soft Center Every Time

  • Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a perfectly soft, gooey center that melts in your mouth.
  • Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar before baking for a beautiful crackled surface and extra sweetness.
  • Fold in fresh chopped strawberries or add a drop of strawberry extract to intensify the fruity profile of the cookies.
  • Swap the cake mix for a gluten-free yellow cake mix and use gluten-free flour to make these cookies celiac-friendly.
  • Prepare the cookie dough in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze unbaked balls for up to 2 months for quick, fresh cookies anytime.

Serving These Cookies with Milk or Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair these delightful strawberry cookies with a classic mimosa or fresh-squeezed orange juice for a weekend morning treat that feels luxurious and fun.
  • Dessert Plate Perfection: Arrange cookies alongside fresh strawberries and a small dollop of whipped cream for an elegant and colorful dessert presentation that highlights the strawberry flavor.
  • Tea Time Delight: Serve these soft, gooey cookies with a warm cup of chamomile or Earl Grey tea, creating a perfect afternoon snack that balances sweetness with comforting warmth.
  • Ice Cream Sandwich Magic: Create a decadent dessert by sandwiching a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream between two cooled cookies for an indulgent summer surprise.

How to Store Strawberry Cookies Without Losing Texture

  • Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers to maintain softness and prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days for maximum freshness and delightful texture.
  • Allow cookies to completely cool on a wire rack before storing, preventing condensation that could make edges soggy. Room temperature storage works well for 2-3 days when sealed properly.
  • Prepare cookie dough balls in advance and freeze uncooked for spontaneous baking. Freeze raw dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
  • Divide cookies into small batches before freezing or refrigerating. This approach prevents repeated thawing and ensures each batch tastes freshly baked, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
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Heavenly Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies


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4.8 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Sweet, crumbly Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies melt in your mouth with delightful fruity charm. Pastel pink treats bring nostalgic bakery magic that connects generations of dessert lovers.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large egg
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick, 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 box (15.25 oz, 432 g) strawberry cake mix
  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Cream the butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until silky and uniform, blending thoroughly to create a smooth base.
  2. Liquid Integration: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until completely harmonized with the creamy foundation.
  3. Dough Formation: Fold in the cake mix, stirring until a dense, tacky dough develops with consistent texture.
  4. Chilling Phase: Seal the dough and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to enhance manageability and structural integrity.
  5. Oven Calibration: Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring uniform surface coverage.
  6. Cookie Shaping: Craft uniform dough spheres approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter, meticulously coating each ball in powdered sugar for a delicate, sweet exterior.
  7. Baking Process: Arrange cookie spheres on the prepared sheet, maintaining strategic spacing, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are solidified yet centers remain tender and slightly yielding.

Notes

  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to prevent sticky, difficult-to-handle dough and ensure cookies maintain their shape during baking.
  • Roll cookies lightly in powdered sugar for a delicate, even finish that prevents excessive sweetness and creates a beautiful crackled appearance.
  • Remove cookies when edges are set but centers look slightly soft to achieve the signature gooey texture without overcooking.
  • Swap cake mix for gluten-free alternatives or use low-fat cream cheese for a lighter version, maintaining the cookie’s rich, tender character.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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