Strawberry Crunch Brownies Delight

Strawberry Crunch Brownies offer the perfect combination of chewy blondie texture, creamy frosting, and a sweet crunchy topping that brings nostalgic strawberry shortcake flavors to every bite. They are an easy and impressive dessert ideal for parties or satisfying a fruity craving.

I first baked these for a summer picnic and was amazed at how quickly they disappeared. Now they are my go to when I want something fun and different from regular brownies.

Ingredients

• Strawberry cake mix: This provides a moist and flavorful base with a vibrant pink color. Opt for a quality brand for the best taste
• Unsalted butter melted: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb. Fresh butter makes the difference here
• Large eggs: Bind the batter and add structure
• Strawberry gelatin: Boosts the berry flavor and helps set the brownies nicely
• Cream cheese softened: Creates a luscious smooth frosting. Full fat cream cheese yields the creamiest texture
• Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and rounds out the frosting flavor
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for spreading
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency to be smooth and spreadable
• Golden Oreos: Offer sweetness and crunch for the topping. Use fresh cookies for the best texture
• Salted butter melted: Helps bind the crunchy topping with a slight salty balance

Instructions

Bake the Batter:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius and prepare an 8 by 8inch pan by greasing it or lining with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and strawberry gelatin. Mix thoroughly until fully combined and smooth. Pour this batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove and let it cool completely before applying frosting. Cooling is important so the frosting does not melt.

Prepare the Frosting:

In a mixing bowl, soften the cream cheese until it's smooth and creamy using room temperature cream cheese speeds this up. Add the powdered sugar and mix until fully incorporated for a sweet smooth texture. Gradually add 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk and the vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency that is smooth and fluffy.

Make the Strawberry Crunch Topping:

Place the golden Oreos in a food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs. If you don't have a food processor, place the cookies in a sealed bag and crush them using a rolling pin until crumbly. In a medium bowl, combine the Oreo crumbs, strawberry gelatin powder, and melted salted butter. Mix well until the crumbs are evenly coated and slightly sticky so they will adhere to the frosting.

Assemble the Brownies:

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled strawberry blondies using a spatula. Generously sprinkle the strawberry crunch topping over the frosting layer and press it in very gently to help it stick. For a finishing touch, scatter a few extra crumbled golden Oreos on top. Slice into squares once set and enjoy immediately or store for later.

Cream cheese frosting is my favorite part because it balances the sweetness with a tangy creaminess. I have fond memories making these with my kids on warm weekends, especially crushing the Oreos together for the topping.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days to keep the frosting fresh and prevent drying out. Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture. These brownies also freeze well for up to two months if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge and frost before topping if desired.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can replace golden Oreos with vanilla wafer cookies or graham cracker crumbs for a different texture but keep the strawberry gelatin for that iconic flavor. If you do not have strawberry cake mix, a vanilla cake mix combined with a teaspoon of strawberry extract can be used. For the frosting, mascarpone cheese works as a creamier alternative to cream cheese.

Serving Suggestions

These brownies are wonderful served chilled with fresh strawberries on the side or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. They pair well with light sparkling wines or a fruity iced tea. For parties, cut into small bites and serve on colorful plates to match the playful strawberry theme.

These strawberry crunch brownies are a crowd pleaser and easy to make ahead. Serve chilled or with fresh strawberries for a bright finish.

Your Recipe Questions Answered

→ What gives these brownies their strawberry flavor?

The strawberry cake mix and strawberry gelatin powder infused in both the batter and topping create a rich, fruity strawberry flavor throughout the brownies.

→ How is the crunchy topping made?

The crunchy topping combines crumbled golden Oreos with strawberry gelatin and melted butter, resulting in a sweet, crisp layer on top of the creamy frosting.

→ Can I use regular gelatin instead of strawberry gelatin?

While strawberry gelatin enhances the fruity flavor, regular gelatin can be used but will result in a less pronounced strawberry taste.

→ What texture should the frosting have before spreading?

The frosting, made from cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, should be smooth and spreadable without being too runny.

→ How do I know when the brownies are done baking?

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, which takes about 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

→ Can these brownies be stored and for how long?

Store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and texture.