Strawberry Brownies with Glaze

These Strawberry Brownies are my answer to last minute dessert requests or when I just want something quick sweet and full of summer vibes. With just a cake mix and a handful of kitchen staples this is the treat I bake when the kids have friends over or I need a bake sale hero in under half an hour.

You will not believe how easy these are to whip up and yet every time I serve them people rave about the pretty pink color and burst of strawberry. I still remember bringing these to a picnic last summer and they disappeared before I even grabbed a second piece.

Ingredients

• Strawberry cake mix: I love Pillsbury for the brightest color and best berry scent look for boxes without artificial aftertaste
• Large eggs: These bind everything together and add a rich chewy texture always use fresh eggs for the best results
• Vegetable or canola oil: Keeps the brownies extra moist and tender choose an oil with a clean neutral flavor
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the berry flavor and brings out that classic bakery scent make sure to use pure vanilla
• Powdered sugar: This is the base of your glaze and gives it a lovely cloudlike texture always sift to avoid lumps
• Strawberry preserves: Choose a highquality preserve like Bonne Maman for real fruit flavor and beautiful pink hue
• Milk: Creates a silky smooth glaze use whole or twopercent for the richest texture
• Cream cheese: Optional but adds a subtle tang and extra creaminess room temperature is best for easy mixing

StepbyStep Instructions

Preheat and Prep:

Set your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit Prepare your eight by eight baking dish by greasing well or lining with parchment for easy brownie removal

Mix and Bake:

In a large mixing bowl combine the strawberry cake mix eggs vegetable oil and vanilla extract Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix until fully combined The dough will be thick and sticky so press it evenly into your prepared pan Place in the oven and bake for eighteen to twenty two minutes Watch for the edges to set and the top to look slightly glossy Testing with a toothpick is tricky because these brownies are fudgy but the center should no longer jiggle

Cool Completely:

Let the baked brownies cool completely in the pan before moving on to frosting This ensures the glaze will sit beautifully on top and not melt into the cake

Make the Glaze:

In a small bowl whisk together the powdered sugar strawberry preserves milk and cream cheese if using Until completely smooth and silky

Frost the Brownies:

Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled brownies Use an offset spatula to reach all the corners Let the glaze set for at least fifteen minutes before cutting for neater squares

Cut and Serve:

Slice into sixteen neat pieces Wipe your knife between cuts for clean bakeryworthy edges

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My favorite part is the glaze It is so creamy and tangy and I love swirling a little extra strawberry jam on top just before serving. The first time I made these my niece insisted they tasted like strawberry shortcake in brownie form and now it is our go to summer celebration treat.

Storage Tips

If you use the cream cheese glaze these brownies are best stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and safe. Arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container if you need to stack use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They also taste fantastic chilled straight from the fridge.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find strawberry cake mix try using a vanilla cake mix and adding a pouch of freeze dried strawberries blended into a powder for color and berry flavor. You can swap vegetable oil for melted coconut oil for a hint of extra richness. If you skip the cream cheese in the glaze just add an extra teaspoon of preserves for bright strawberry flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Top each serving with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry slice for a bakery look. For extra decadence drizzle white chocolate over the glaze or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These brownies look stunning on a picnic platter surrounded by fresh berries.

Cultural or Historical Context

Strawberry flavored cakes and desserts have always been nostalgic in American baking from classic boxed pink cakes at birthdays to strawberry shortcake at weddings. These brownies give that same joyful color and flavor but in a chewy portable bar form that everyone loves.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

For the classic berry taste, stick with strawberry cake mix, but you can experiment with other flavors for variety.

→ How do I prevent brownies from sticking together?

Store them in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper as the glaze remains soft.

→ Why is refrigeration recommended?

The frosting contains milk and preserves, so refrigeration keeps the brownies fresh and safe to eat.

→ Can the glaze be made ahead of time?

Prepare the glaze up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge, then spread it once brownies are cool.

→ How do I know when the brownies are baked?

They're ready when the edges are set and a toothpick in the center comes out mostly clean without wet batter.

→ Is cream cheese necessary for the glaze?

Cream cheese adds richness, but you can leave it out or swap it for extra milk for a simple, sweet glaze.