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Take regular brownies to the next level with these mouthwatering Strawberry Brownies. Thanks to a smart box mix hack, these gorgeous pink treats pack a powerful strawberry punch in each wonderfully chewy mouthful. When I first baked these for my weekend treat club, they vanished in seconds – even quicker than regular chocolate ones.
These brownies have turned into my go-to for surprise visits. Just days ago, I quickly made some when my kid's buddies dropped by without warning, and they thought they came from an expensive shop.
Key Components
- Strawberry cake mix: Works as the base of our brownies, giving both stability and taste
- Salted butter: Delivers that amazing chewy bite and full-bodied taste
- Strawberry extract: Boosts the berry flavor throughout your treats
- Strawberry preserves: Brings actual fruit taste and creates a shiny, lovely topping
- Eggs: Add structure and help create that desired gooey texture
- Powdered sugar: Mixes with preserves for a smooth, pourable topping
Brownie Creation Steps
- Getting Your Pan Ready:
- Spray your baking dish with nonstick spray then put down parchment paper. This easy step stops the paper from moving around when you work with the thick mix.
- Mixing Your Ingredients:
- Combine your cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until they form a thick, even mixture. The feel should be like classic brownie batter – rich and shiny.
- Cooking Them Right:
- Push the mix evenly into your ready pan, making sure to get it into the corners. Look for the key signs they're done – edges pulling away slightly and a toothpick coming out clean.
- Adding The Finishing Touch:
- After fully cooling, upgrade these brownies with a smooth strawberry topping, making sure to cover every bit for the ultimate finish.
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My crew especially enjoys these when strawberries are in season. We often put them next to fresh berries, making a wonderful mix between the sweet, rich brownies and tangy fresh fruit.
Presentation Ideas
Show off these treats on a plain white plate with some sliced fresh strawberries and a light sprinkling of powdered sugar. For something extra fancy, serve them a bit warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
Fun Twists
Switch up this recipe by throwing in white chocolate pieces for more richness, or mix in some cream cheese for a strawberry cheesecake feel. For chocolate fans, pour some dark chocolate sauce over the finished treats.
Storage Solutions
Keep these goodies in an airtight box with wax paper between the layers. They'll stay nice and moist for three days on your counter or up to three months if you freeze them.
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Through many years of baking, I've found that often the easiest recipes bring the most happiness. These Strawberry Brownies show this perfectly – they're easy to make but always get smiles and folks asking how you made them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What can I use instead of butter?
- You can swap in the same amount of oil for the melted butter.
- → Is it okay to skip the strawberry extract?
- Sure! It adds some extra strawberry taste, but the cake mix has plenty of flavor if you leave it out.
- → What’s the point of using parchment?
- It makes it easy to lift your brownies out of the pan, so slicing them is a breeze.
- → Can I prepare these ahead of time?
- Absolutely! Keep them fresh for several days in a sealed container.
- → Why is the batter so thick?
- That’s just the way it is! The thick batter gives it that awesome dense and chewy texture.