Description
Indulge in a delightful twist on traditional brownies with these Strawberry Shortcake Brownies. Combining a strawberry cake mix base with luscious cream cheese frosting and a crunchy strawberry shortcake crumble topping made from Golden Oreos and strawberry gelatin, this dessert is bursting with fruity flavor and creamy texture. Perfect for strawberry lovers seeking a unique and decadent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownies
- 1 strawberry cake mix
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons strawberry gelatin
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup salted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Strawberry Shortcake Crumble
- 20 Golden Oreos (about ½ standard package)
- 4 tablespoons strawberry gelatin (remaining amount)
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownie Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted salted butter, eggs, and 2 tablespoons of strawberry gelatin. Mix until fully combined and smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter evenly into a greased or parchment-lined baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and salted butter together until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly. Adjust the consistency by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of heavy cream as needed to achieve a spreadable texture.
- Prepare the Strawberry Shortcake Crumble: Place the Golden Oreos in a food processor or zip-top bag and crush into fine crumbs. In a small bowl, mix the crushed Oreos with 4 tablespoons of melted salted butter and 4 tablespoons of strawberry gelatin until well combined.
- Assemble the Brownies: Once the brownies have completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle the strawberry shortcake crumble generously over the frosting, pressing lightly to help it adhere.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the assembled brownies for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting and crumble topping. Slice into squares and serve chilled for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the brownies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- For extra strawberry flavor, consider adding fresh sliced strawberries as garnish.
- If strawberry gelatin is unavailable, use raspberry or other berry gelatin as a substitute.
- The crumble topping adds texture but can be omitted or replaced with crushed graham crackers if preferred.
- These brownies are best stored refrigerated and consumed within 3 days.
