These Strawberry Crunch Cookies combine a decadent strawberry crunch topping with soft, flavorful cookies, creating the perfect sweet treat for any occasion. With a rich blend of Golden Oreos, strawberry Jello, and creamy icing, these cookies are a fun, delicious twist on the classic cookie. The soft cake-like texture of the cookies is perfectly complemented by the crunchy, fruity topping that makes every bite burst with strawberry goodness.
Ingredients:
For the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- 12 Golden Oreos (without the cream filling)
- 1 box (3 oz) strawberry Jello mix (this is the secret ingredient for the bright strawberry flavor)
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter, melted (for binding the topping together and adding richness)
For the Strawberry Supreme Cookies:
- 1 box Strawberry Supreme cake mix (this gives the cookies a cake-like texture)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for moisture and to help the dough come together)
- 2 large eggs (to bind the ingredients and create structure in the cookie dough)
- Cream cheese-flavored icing (for topping)
- Milk (to thin out the icing for drizzling and making it smooth)
- Fresh strawberries (optional, for garnish and added freshness)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Strawberry Crunch Topping 🍓🍪
- Remove the Oreo Cream: Start by taking 12 Golden Oreos and carefully separate the cream from the cookie. You can save the cream for another recipe or snack!
- Crush the Oreos: Place the cookie shells into a zipper bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into small, fine crumbs. If you have a food processor, this works great for getting an even texture.
- Combine with Strawberry Jello: In a bowl, add the crushed Oreos along with the entire box of strawberry Jello mix. The Jello mix adds the vibrant strawberry flavor that will give your cookies their signature taste.
- Add Melted Butter: Melt 1/2 stick of butter and pour it into the Oreo and Jello mixture. Stir it all together until the crumbs are evenly coated and the mixture sticks together. The butter will help bind everything into a firm, crunchy topping.
- Freeze the Topping: Spread the mixture out evenly on a tray or baking sheet. Place it into the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to allow it to set and become firm. This will help the crunch stay together when you coat the cookies later.
Step 2: Preparing the Strawberry Supreme Cookies 🍰🍓
- Combine Cake Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the Strawberry Supreme cake mix, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 2 large eggs. Mix them together until everything is well combined. The dough will be thick and a little sticky, but don’t worry—that’s exactly what you want for these soft, cake-like cookies.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, portion out small amounts of the dough. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The cookies should look puffed and slightly cracked on top. Be careful not to overbake them, as they should remain soft and chewy.
- Cool the Cookies: Once the cookies are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. This gives them time to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Decorating the Cookies 🍓🍰🍪
- Top with Cream Cheese Icing: Once the cookies are completely cooled, it’s time to add the cream cheese-flavored icing. Using a spoon or a butter knife, spread a generous amount of icing over the top of each cookie. The cream cheese icing provides a rich and creamy contrast to the soft, chewy cookies.
- Coat with Strawberry Crunch: After icing the cookies, gently roll or press the tops of each cookie into the strawberry crunch topping. The crunchy, fruity mixture will stick to the icing and give your cookies that signature crunch. This adds not only texture but also a boost of strawberry flavor.
- Drizzle with Icing: For extra flair, thin out the remaining cream cheese icing with a bit of milk until it reaches a pourable consistency. Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the icing over the cookies for a beautiful, sweet finish.
- Garnish with Fresh Strawberries: If you’d like, you can add a fresh strawberry on top of each cookie as a garnish. This adds a lovely pop of color and extra strawberry flavor.
Tips and Tricks for Success:
- Freezing the Crunch Mixture: This step is crucial to getting that perfect, firm strawberry crunch topping. It keeps the topping intact when pressing it onto the cookies and helps it maintain its crunch after baking.
- Thinning the Icing: If you find the icing too thick to drizzle, add a bit of milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency. This will make it easier to drizzle over the cookies without it clumping.
- Substitutions: You can use other flavors of cake mix or different types of Jello if you prefer a different flavor. However, the strawberry combination is a fan favorite, creating the perfect balance of flavor and color.
- Storage: These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them, though the crunchy topping might lose some of its texture.
Enjoy! 🍓🍰🍪
These Strawberry Crunch Cookies are a showstopper at any gathering and are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. With their tender, cake-like base, creamy icing, and crunchy strawberry topping, they deliver a flavor explosion in every bite. Perfect for parties, gifts, or just as a fun dessert, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire!