1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan and make cleanup much easier.

2. Cream Together Butter and Egg

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and the egg together until well combined. You can use an electric mixer or a hand whisk for this step. Mix until the butter is smooth and creamy, and the egg is fully incorporated.

3. Add the Cake Mix and Mix Well

Next, add the strawberry cake mix to the butter and egg mixture. Stir until the cake mix is fully incorporated and the dough begins to form. It will be thick and slightly sticky, which is completely normal. If you’d like to make the cookies a bit firmer or thicker, add in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour at this stage, mixing until combined.

4. Add Vanilla Extract and Optional Mix-ins

Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor. If you’re adding any optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or sprinkles, fold them into the dough at this point. These optional additions are great for adding texture and extra sweetness to your cookies.

5. Form the Cookie Dough Balls

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out small amounts of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. The dough will be a little sticky, so if you find it difficult to handle, you can lightly grease your hands or chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to make it easier to roll.

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

6. Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should appear set and slightly golden around the edges when they’re done. For a softer, chewier cookie, remove them from the oven on the earlier side of the baking range. If you prefer a firmer texture, bake them a little longer.

Keep a close eye on the cookies, as they can go from perfect to overbaked quickly. It’s better to slightly underbake them since they will continue to cook on the baking sheet after they’re removed from the oven.

7. Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period lets the cookies firm up and makes them easier to handle. Once they’re cool, they’re ready to enjoy!