You'll love these chewy Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies that are made using a cake mix and topped with a strawberry cookie crumble!
If you are a fan of strawberry flavor, you are going to love this recipe! These Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies are made with a cake mix, and topped with a cream cheese frosting. Next, they are topped with a strawberry cookie crumble to add some crunch to contrast the other textures. These brownies are so easy to make, taste amazingly good, and are a cute dessert idea for Valentine's Day or spring events.
These Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies are are easy to make, and are a great dessert to share with your family or with friends at a party. Here's what you'll need:
- strawberry cake mix - I prefer to use a Betty Crocker cake mix, however, you can actually use any brand of boxed cake mix you like! Just be sure to check the size of the mix so that the recipe will work as instructed.
- strawberry Jell-O mix: no, we're not making actual Jell-O. The addition of the powdered mix will add extra strawberry flavor and density to the brownies.
- eggs - do NOT follow the recipe on the back of the cake mix box. This recipe will make a thicker dough instead of a runny cake batter.
- butter - I use unsalted, but you can use salted if you'd like. You can also substitute the butter with an equal amount of your vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted coconut oil.
- homemade cheesecake frosting- this frosting recipe uses basic ingredients and is easy to "whip" up. Instead, you can substitute with a can of cream cheese frosting.
- Golden Oreos - these cookies pair well with the strawberry flavor, and add that much-needed crunch to the strawberry topping.
(Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are found below)
You will also need a hand/stand mixer, mixing bowls, 8x8 baking dish, parchment paper, and a Ziploc bag.
Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and a mixing bowl to combine the ingredients to make the strawberry brownie batter. Again, do NOT follow the directions on the cake mix box. Only use the powders from the cake mix and Jell-O mix. Once mixed, the batter should be smooth without any clumps.
Line the 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper so that the brownies will be easy to remove after baking. Add the batter to the pan, then flatten and spread it out evenly using your hands or a spatula. Bake the brownies for about 25 minutes or a toothpick dipped in the center comes out clean. Allow the brownies to cool completely, which should take at least 30 minutes.
While the brownies are cooling, prepare the vanilla frosting.
Use a hand or stand mixer to whip the cheesecake frosting ingredients together. The frosting should be smooth and fluffy.
Crush the Oreo cookies into a crumb - a mix of both fine and chunky. You can do this by putting them into a sealed plastic bag and crushing them with your hands or a rolling pin, or you can put the cookies into a food processor and pulse them to crumbs.
Add the rest of the crumble ingredients to the bag, then zip it up/seal it and shake the ingredients until everything is coated and even in color.
Sprinkle the cookie crumb mixture over the brownies and gently press them down into the cheesecake frosting to keep it in place. Cut the brownies into 16 squares and enjoy!!
Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies
Servings: 16
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Strawberry Brownie Ingredients:
- 15 oz strawberry cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tbsp of strawberry Jell-O mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Strawberry Brownie Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine strawberry cake mix, eggs, strawberry Jell-O mix and melted butter. Mix well until there are no clumps in the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, then spread evenly with a spatula or clean hands.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not over-bake.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- Lift the brownies out of the pan. Trim the top of the brownies to even them out, if necessary.
Cheesecake Frosting Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 tsp vanilla
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp heavy cream
Cheesecake Frosting Directions:
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, vanilla and butter using a hand or stand mixer until combined.
- Add powdered sugar and heavy cream to the mixture and beat again until combined and has a fluffy and smooth mixture.
- Use a spatula to add the frosting to the brownies and spread it evenly from edge to edge.
Strawberry Cookie Crumble Ingredients:
- 20 Golden Oreo cookies
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 4 Tbsp strawberry Jell-O mix
Strawberry Cookie Crumble Directions:
- Crush the Oreo cookies (by hand, with a rolling pin, or by food processor) into a mix of fine and chunky crumbs.
- With the crumbs in a large ziplock bag, then add the melted butter and strawberry Jell-O powder.
- Close the bag and shake until mixture is completely coated.
- Sprinkle the Oreo mixture over the top of the brownies and lightly press it down into the frosting.
- Cut the brownies into 16 squares and serve!
Storage:
- Brownies can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze brownies for up to 4 weeks in an airtight container. I would recommend freezing the frosted brownies already cut into squares, then top with the cookie crumble after thawing.
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