Every cookie has a story, and these Strawberry Crinkle Cookies are like a delicious postcard from childhood. Whether you’re baking for a school party, a cozy Sunday afternoon, or just creating sweet memories in the kitchen with your kids, this cookie recipe brings joy in every crackled bite. With their vibrant pink color, soft chewy centers, and powdered sugar finish, they look like something straight out of a fairy tale.
I remember baking these with my grandmother in her warm kitchen filled with the scent of strawberries and vanilla. Today, I make them with my own children, and they’re always a hit not just because they’re cute, but because they’re packed with flavor and so simple to prepare. Let’s dive into how to make these picture-perfect cookies, why they’re amazing, and how you can turn them into your go-to family favorite.
If you enjoy baking nostalgic treats like these, you’ll also love our Madeleine Cookies with Cream, another soft, elegant dessert that’s easy to make with kids.
Table of Contents
Why Strawberry Crinkle Cookies Are So Loved
These cookies aren’t just pretty they’re practical and perfect for family life. Here’s why they’ve earned a spot in the heart of every home baker:
1. They’re Easy
This is a one-bowl recipe with no fancy ingredients or equipment needed. Even if it’s your first time baking, you can master these cookies.
2. They’re Fun for Kids
Rolling dough in sugar? That’s an activity every child loves. These cookies are a great way to bring your little ones into the kitchen.
3. They’re Beautiful
The powdered sugar coating cracks during baking to reveal the pink dough underneath a “crinkle” effect that’s charming and festive.
4. They’re Flexible
You can tweak the recipe with mix-ins like white chocolate chips, drizzle with glaze, or change up the flavor entirely with different cake mixes.
Looking for more sugar-dusted fun? Try our Best Rolled Sugar Cookies, perfect for decorating with little hands
Ingredients and Tools
Let’s keep it simple and accessible.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) Strawberry Cake Mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar, for coating
- Optional: 3–4 drops red or pink food coloring for brighter cookies
Tip: You can substitute with gluten-free cake mix or use egg replacer if needed.
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
All tools most home kitchens already have!
We highly recommend using pure vanilla extract, or better yet, try our homemade Vanilla Bean Paste for deeper flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Crinkle Cookies
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir until the dough is thick and smooth. If you want a deeper pink hue, add food coloring.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Refrigerate the dough for 20–30 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and makes the dough easier to work with.
Step 3: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 4: Shape and Coat
Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until completely coated. Be generous it makes the crinkle effect more dramatic.
Step 5: Bake
Place balls on the baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops have cracked.
Step 6: Cool
Let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’ll firm up as they cool but stay wonderfully soft in the middle.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Crinkle Cookies
Chill for Thickness
If you skip chilling, your cookies may flatten. A chilled dough results in fluffier, thicker cookies with beautiful cracks.
Coat Twice
Roll your dough balls in granulated sugar before powdered sugar for extra texture and to keep the powdered sugar from melting during baking.
Use a Cookie Scoop
This keeps cookie size consistent, which helps with even baking and makes them look more professional.
Family-Friendly Fun: Get the Kids Involved
One of the best parts of this recipe is how hands-on it is. Children love helping, especially when they can:
- Mix the dough with a spoon or spatula
- Roll balls and dunk them in powdered sugar
- Place them on baking trays
- Taste-test (of course!)
You’re not just baking cookies you’re creating a joyful family memory.
Creative Variations
Want to take it a step further? Here are fun ways to make your Strawberry Crinkle Cookies your own:
White Chocolate Chip Strawberry
Add ½ cup white chocolate chips to the dough for a strawberries-and-cream twist.
Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies
Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the dough for a refreshing citrus balance.
Valentine’s Version
Top with red heart sprinkles before baking, or drizzle with white chocolate after cooling.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Storing Fresh Cookies
Keep them in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy!
Freezing the Dough
Scoop the dough into balls (before rolling in sugar), freeze on a tray, then transfer to a zip bag. When ready to bake, roll in powdered sugar and bake straight from frozen add 1–2 minutes to bake time.
Freezing Baked Cookies
Cool completely, layer with parchment paper in a freezer container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp before serving.
Nutrition (Per Cookie)
- Calories: 85
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 14g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1g
Note: Based on 24 cookies per batch.
FAQ: Your Strawberry Crinkle Cookie Questions Answered
Can I use homemade cake mix?
Yes, just make sure it equals about 15.25 oz of dry mix with similar sugar and flour ratios.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
They can be! Use a certified gluten-free cake mix and double-check your powdered sugar brand.
Do I need food coloring?
Nope. The cake mix gives a soft pink color on its own, but food coloring makes it pop.
Can I use oil substitutes?
You can use melted butter or a neutral oil like canola. Coconut oil adds a mild flavor if you like that.
Why do my cookies lose their powdered sugar look?
They might be too warm, or the sugar is melting into the dough. Try double-coating or chilling longer.
When to Serve These Cookies
These Strawberry Crinkle Cookies aren’t just for Valentine’s Day! Here are great occasions to make them:
- Birthday parties (especially for kids)
- Baby showers
- Mother’s Day treats
- Pink-themed tea parties
- School events
- Sweet after-school snacks
Pair them with a glass of cold milk, or pack them as lunchbox surprises. They’re guaranteed to get smiles.
These cookies also pair wonderfully with weekend breakfast treats like our Sweet Bavarian Crepes, another recipe kids adore helping with.
Conclusion: Bake, Bond, and Smile
When you make Strawberry Crinkle Cookies, you’re not just whipping up a quick dessert you’re inviting joy into your kitchen. You’re creating moments that your kids will remember, bites that your guests will love, and traditions that might just get passed on.
So go ahead. Preheat that oven. Let your kitchen fill with the scent of strawberries. And share the sweet moments one pink, powdered cookie at a time.
Need a protein-packed breakfast after cookie day? Our High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pancakes are a family favorite that balance out sweet moments.
Strawberry Crinkle Cookies: Soft, Sweet & Fun to Bake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Cookie scoop
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box Strawberry Cake Mix 15.25 oz
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-4 drops red or pink food coloring optional, for brighter cookies
Coating
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir until the dough is thick and smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
- Refrigerate the dough for 20–30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and tops have cracked.
- Cool on tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
