Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
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These Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are the shortcut treat every busy baker needs. They are bright, chewy and full of holiday cheer. With pantry staples and a few festive add-ins, you’ll have cookies ready in under an hour. They are perfect for parties, cookie swaps, or cozy nights in.
Cake Mix Cookies are a quick and easy way to have warm fresh cookies. If you like more, try my Birthday Cake Cookies and my delicious Peanut Butter Cookies.
Why this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe Works
These Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are proof that festive baking doesn’t have to be complicated. With their chewy texture, colorful candies, and easy prep, they’re a recipe you’ll return to year after year.
- 10 Minute Prep: Such an easy way to make delicious cookies.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry, these are such a quick treat for a Christmas Party.
- Family Friendly: A great recipe to make with your children. They will only take a small amount of time and are full of fun Christmas colors.
- Adaptable: Can make this Easy Christmas Cookie Recipe low-cal or using gluten-free cake mix.
Do I Really Need to Chill the Cake Mix Cookie Dough?
Yes. Chilling prevents cookies from spreading too much, giving you tall, chewy centers with crisp edges.
Fun Fact About a Box of Cake Mix
Cake mix cookies first became popular in the 1950s when boxed cake mixes were booming, and home bakers discovered they could transform a simple mix into soft, chewy cookies with just a couple of pantry staples.
Ingredient Notes for the Cake Mix Cookies
You get the fun of making cookies with the family without all the hard work. This recipe only takes a few ingredients to make a wonderful holiday treat.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Boxed Cake Mix: You will need one box of cake mix to make the cookies. Dry Cake mix, any brand. white cake mix, yellow cake mix or even chocolate cake mix.
- Food Coloring: A few drops of a gel green food coloring.
- Candy: Chocolate coated candy or any favorite you like. i use red and white m&ms.
- Chocolate Chips: White chocolate chips add to this easy and delicious recipe.
Variations and Substitutions for Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Make the best cake mix cookie recipe your own by using different cake mixes, candies or adding something unique to give these christmas cookies your own personal touch.
- Cake Mix Flavors: Try chocolate, butter,strawberry cake or red velvet for different bases.
- Candy Swaps: Replace M&Ms with crushed candy canes or sprinkles.
- Nutty Crunch: Add walnuts, pecans, or almonds for texture.
- Dietary Options: Use gluten-free or sugar-free cake mix and chips.
- Extract: Add almond, mint or vanilla extract to the cookie dough.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Cake Mix Cookies
Along with the mixing bowls and cookie sheets you will need the following equipment to make these moist and delicious cookies.
- Cookie Scoop: Ensures uniform cookie size, which means they bake evenly. It also makes portioning quicker and keeps your hands clean. Easier than rolling the cookie by hand.
- Parchment Paper: Parchment prevents sticking, makes cleanup easy, and helps cookies bake with crisp edges and soft centers.
- Cooling Rack: Elevates cookies so air circulates underneath, preventing soggy bottoms. Cooling evenly keeps the texture chewy and crisp where it should be.
How to Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
You can mix up the batter ahead of time and chill until ready to bake. You can even make a cookie station where the kids can make their own special christmas cookies.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Stir Together Cake Mix: First, beat together the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil until combined in a large bowl. Then, add the food coloring and beat until well mixed. Stir in the M&Ms and chocolate chips. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Scoop: Next, when ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop a heaping amount of cookie batter and place it on the lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Press the dough down slightly, then decorate with additional candy and chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake: Finally, bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are slightly brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Easy Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
These Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are the easiest way to spread holiday cheer. Soft, chewy, and packed with festive red and green M&Ms.
- Scoop: Scoop cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- Make Dough Balls: Freeze dough balls until solid, then store in a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.
Alternate Cooking Methods to Make Cookies with Chocolate Chips
You can make small batches of these cookies several different ways. This is perfect when you want a warm, fresh from the oven cookie.
- Air Fryer: Bake at 325°F for 6–8 minutes in small batches.
- Toaster Oven: Great for small gatherings, just reduce bake time slightly.
How to Store, Freeze, Warm and Use Leftovers
It is easy to get ahead of the game by making and storing these cookies. I doubt you will have any leftovers but if you do, here are a few uses for the leftover cookies.
- Storing: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm the cookies in the microwave or in the oven for a few minutes.
- Using Leftovers: Holiday Sundae: Crumble cookies over ice cream. Trifle Layers: Add to whipped cream and berries. Lunchbox Treats: Pack for a cheerful surprise.
Common Questions to Love this Recipe
These simple cookies are soft and chewy. For a crispier cookie, bake at a slightly higher temp for less time.
Of course, you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips. You can also use different candies and add some fun christmas sprinkles to the cookies.
Sometimes the cake mix can deflate. If the cookies are flat, stir in 2 tablespoons of flour or increase oven temp.
Expert Tips for Making Christmas Cookies with Cake Mix
There are some really easy things to do to make your cookies perfect. Check out these hints, they will help make this easy recipe even better.
- Room Temperature Eggs: They mix more evenly and help create a smooth dough.
- Chill the Dough: Keeps crinkle cookies from spreading and ensures chewy centers.
- Garnish While Warm: Press candies or holiday sprinkles on right after baking so they stick perfectly.
- Flavor Boost: Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract for extra depth.
- Play with Colors: Swap sprinkles for different holidays, red and pink for Valentine’s, pastel for Easter.
- Serve this recipe with: Other fun cookies that you can add to your cookie platter, try my Twix Cookies, Smores Cookies and my Snickers Cookies.
More Recipes You Might Like
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 15 ounces Vanilla cake mix, 1 Box
- 2 Eggs
- ½ cup Vegetable oil
- 2 drops Green gel food coloring
- ½ cup Red and Green M&Ms, plus more for decorating
- ½ cup White Chocolate Chips, plus more for decorating
Instructions
- Beat together the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil until combined. Add the food coloring and beat until well mixed.
- Stir in the M&Ms and chocolate chips.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a tablespoon to scoop a heaping spoonful of dough. Roll the dough into a ball and place it on the lined baking sheet. Press the dough down slightly, then decorate with additional candy and chocolate chips if desired. Continue until all the dough has been used.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are slightly brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Double: Simply increase the ingredients proportionately from this recipe below.
- Eggs: Should be at room temperature as well.
- Add Nuts: Walnuts, pecans or even almonds add a wonderful crunch.
- Sprinkles: Different color sprinkles are a great touch.
- Variation tip: Different cake mixes are wonderful for this recipe, try chocolate, butter, red velvet cake mix cookies, they are the easiest cookie recipes you can make.
- Alternate ingredient: Replace the chocolate coated candies with crushed candy canes.
- Dietary consideration tip: Sugar free candies or chocolate chips are great for cookie baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
