There’s nothing quite like a tender, rich brownie layered with the delightful flavors of a classic strawberry shortcake. Strawberry Shortcake Brownies are a dreamy dessert that combines luscious strawberry cake with a creamy layer of frosting and a crunchy cookie topping. These brownies boast a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, making them irresistible for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a potluck or enjoying them at a cozy family gathering, each bite is packed with flavor that will make everyone smile.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Brownies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Strawberry Shortcake Brownies

I first stumbled upon this delightful combination during a sun-soaked day at a picnic. Everyone brought treats, but the highlights were these brownies, which had the perfect amount of sweetness with a hint of fresh fruit flavor. The layers of cake, cream, and cookies reminded me why I love baking with strawberries. Plus, making Strawberry Shortcake Brownies is a breeze, so you won’t spend hours in the kitchen. You’ll be proud to serve this crowd-pleaser and maybe even share your secret recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just a 30-minute prep time, you can whip this up in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of rich strawberry and sweet cream cheese creates a flavor explosion.
Eye-Catching Appeal: These brownies look stunning with their vibrant colors and layers.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for parties, picnics, or just as a sweet treat with coffee.
Diet-Friendly Options: While this recipe is on the richer side, feel free to experiment with lighter ingredients if desired.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 strawberry cake mix: For the base, this provides the delightful fruity flavor and moist texture.
½ cup salted butter, melted: It helps keep the brownies moist while adding richness.
2 large eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients and creating a sturdy structure.
2 tablespoons strawberry gelatin: Enhances the strawberry flavor, making it pop even more.
8-ounce block cream cheese, softened: This creates a luscious frosting that adds creaminess.
¼ cup salted butter, softened: Together with cream cheese, this makes for a smooth, luscious frosting.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor that rounds everything out beautifully.
½ cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese frosting and gives it that fluffy quality.
1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream: Helps achieve a perfect spreading consistency for the frosting.
20 golden Oreos, about ½ standard package: These add a delightful crunch and sweetness to the topping.
4 tablespoons strawberry gelatin: For more fruity flavor in the cookie crumbles.
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted: Binds the Oreo crumbs together for a delicious topping.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Brownies

Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures that your brownies bake evenly and come out perfectly.

Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8×8-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. This step makes it so much easier to remove the brownies later!

Mix Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of melted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 strawberry cake mix, and 2 tablespoons of strawberry gelatin. Stir until the batter is smooth and thick.

Spread Batter: Use a rubber spatula to evenly spread the thick, luscious batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for about 25 minutes. You want a toothpick to come out clean when inserted into the center—this means your brownies are baked to perfection!

Cool Completely: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Giving them time to cool is essential for achieving clean, defined edges when you cut them.

Make Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, ¼ cup of softened butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add ½ cup of powdered sugar and enough heavy cream (1 to 2 tablespoons) to achieve a smooth and fluffy texture.

Frost Brownies: Once the brownies are completely cooled, spread the creamy frosting generously over the top. Don’t skimp on the frosting; it’s the best part!

Crush Oreos: In a food processor, pulse 20 golden Oreos until they are broken into chunks, keeping some larger pieces for texture. This crunch adds a delicious contrast to the soft brownies.

Mix with Gelatin and Butter: Sprinkle the remaining 4 tablespoons of strawberry gelatin over the Oreo crumbs, then drizzle them with 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Pulse again until combined.

Top Brownies: Evenly sprinkle the cookie crumbs over the frosted brownies. Gently press down on the crumbs to ensure they stick to the icing and blend into the brownie layers.

Cut and Serve: Finally, cut the brownies into squares and serve them up. Warm weather and a plate of these brownies? Now that’s a perfect pairing!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Strawberry Shortcake Brownies fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them for up to a week to maintain their flavor and texture. You can even freeze the brownies for up to 3 months—just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. To enjoy them again, let them thaw in the fridge overnight or warm them slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, taking care not to overcook them.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid Overmixing: When combining the cake ingredients, mix just until combined for the best texture.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for a super creamy frosting.
Use Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, opt for high-quality vanilla extract and fresh ingredients.
Don’t Skip Cooling: Allowing the brownies to cool entirely ensures they firm up, making cutting easier.
Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to add fresh strawberries or whipped cream for an extra flair.

You’ve reached the end of your journey in creating these delightful Strawberry Shortcake Brownies! The combination of rich brownies with creamy frosting and cookie crunch is nothing short of amazing. They not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also impress your friends and family. Don’t hesitate to tweak the recipe to make it your own, whether that’s trying different flavors of cake mix or topping with fresh berries. Just remember to enjoy every bite!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these brownies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the brownies a day in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They taste just as delicious after sitting overnight, allowing the flavors to meld.

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Certainly! While strawberry cake mix is the star here, you can swap it for vanilla or even chocolate for a different flavor profile. Just be mindful that it will change the overall taste!

How do I store these brownies?

Store your brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If freezing, wrap them tightly and use within 3 months for the best quality.

What can I use instead of Golden Oreos?

If you don’t have Golden Oreos, regular chocolate Oreos or even graham crackers can work well! They will add a different but still delicious flavor to the brownies.

More Desserts & Appetizers Recipes

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Strawberry Shortcake Brownies

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 120 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 16 servings 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

Strawberry Shortcake Brownies are a delightful twist on classic dessert, combining a fruity cake mix with rich cream cheese frosting, making it an ideal treat for any occasion. Their easy preparation and luscious taste make them a must-try for anyone seeking a homemade dessert that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

1 strawberry cake mix
½ cup salted butter, melted
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons strawberry gelatin
8 ounce block cream cheese, softened
¼ cup salted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
20 golden oreos, about ½ standard package
4 tablespoons strawberry gelatin, the remaining amount
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, strawberry cake mix, and 2 tablespoons of strawberry gelatin until the mixture is well blended (the batter will be thick).
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake for 25 minutes. Let it cool completely.
Beat together the cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and heavy cream, mixing until fluffy.
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled brownies.
In a food processor, pulse the Golden Oreos until broken into pieces, leaving some larger chunks intact.
Sprinkle the remaining strawberry gelatin over the cookie crumbs and drizzle with melted butter. Pulse a few more times until combined.
Spread the cookie crumbles over the frosted brownies and gently press them down.
Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Use high-quality cream cheese for a richer frosting.
Chill the brownies before cutting for cleaner edges.
You can substitute another flavored cake mix if strawberry is unavailable.