If you are looking for a quick, fun, and utterly delightful holiday treat to whip up with minimal fuss, look no further than this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together the magic of cake mix with festive flavors and colors that make it impossible to resist grabbing one after another. Soft, chewy, and festively adorned, this recipe is a perfect way to fill your kitchen with holiday cheer without spending hours mixing dough from scratch. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or a cozy family gathering, these cookies promise smiles and sweet memories in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe so wonderfully simple yet irresistible is how each basic ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect cookie texture and festive look. Every item in the list is there for a reason: from moisture and binding to that dreamy tenderness and beautiful holiday hues.
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix: The foundation of the cookies, delivering soft crumb and tremendous flavor with no extra effort.
- 2 large eggs: Essential for binding the dough and adding richness for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil: Provides moisture and keeps the cookies tender and velvety without heaviness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A little boost of warmth and depth that elevates the sweetness beautifully.
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar: The fun festive touch that brings holiday spirit straight to your cookie tray.
- Optional 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s: Adds extra bursts of flavor and delightful pops of color and texture.
How to Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Bakeware
Kick off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures a perfectly even baking environment. Meanwhile, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent any sticky situations while still keeping your cookies easy to lift.
Step 2: Mix Your Dough
Combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Stir everything until a soft, cohesive dough forms. This part is so satisfying—the dough should be easy to handle, neither too dry nor too sticky.
Step 3: Add Festive Goodies
Gently fold in half of those joyful sprinkles, white chocolate chips, or festive M&M’s if you’re including them. This incorporates a playful burst of color and taste inside the cookie, making every bite a holiday celebration.
Step 4: Scoop and Shape Your Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Then, give each ball a little gentle press to flatten slightly. This helps them bake evenly and get that perfect cookie shape. Don’t forget to add extra sprinkles on top for that eye-catching, festive sparkle.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pop your baking sheet into the oven and bake for 9-11 minutes. You want the edges to be set, but the centers should stay soft and tender. This balance offers a cozy, cake-like texture that’s spot on for holiday cookies.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up before moving them to a wire rack. Once completely cool, they’re ready to be devoured or wrapped up as lovely gifts that everyone will adore.
How to Serve Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding extra sprinkles or festive sugar crystals right after shaping your cookies is a simple but effective way to amp up their holiday cheer. You might even dust with a bit of powdered sugar for a snowy effect or drizzle with melted white chocolate for an elegant touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced hot cocoa or a creamy eggnog latte. For a nutty companion, serve alongside roasted chestnuts or gingerbread for a true holiday dessert spread everyone will rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
Present these gems on a decorative holiday platter sprinkled with pine sprigs or place them in a festive tin lined with colorful tissue paper. For gifting, stack a handful in a clear cello bag tied with a red and green ribbon; it’s simple but charming and sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe treats stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They maintain their softness and flavor perfectly, making them a wonderful option for pre-baking before holiday parties or events.
Freezing
If you want a ready stash to enjoy well into the season, these cookies freeze beautifully. Just arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep up to 3 months and thaw quickly when needed.
Reheating
For that just-baked warmth anytime, pop cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm gently in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This revives their soft, cake-like texture and makes every bite taste freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor cake mix?
Absolutely! While white or vanilla works beautifully for a classic look and taste, feel free to experiment with funfetti, chocolate, or spice cake mixes to customize your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe.
Do I have to add the sprinkles inside the dough?
You don’t have to, but including some sprinkles inside the dough adds delightful bursts of color and sparkle in every bite, highlighting the cookies’ festive charm.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, if you use a gluten-free cake mix, this recipe turns gluten-free instantly. Just check that any additional mix-ins like M&M’s or sprinkles are also gluten-free to keep it safe.
How soft or crispy do these cookies get?
This Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe produces cookies that are soft and cake-like with slightly crisp edges. They’re tender, moist, and perfect for those who love a gentle bite over a crunchy one.
Can I replace vegetable oil with butter?
While vegetable oil keeps the cookies lighter and very moist, you can swap in melted butter for a richer flavor. Keep in mind this might slightly change the texture and baking time.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe becomes your new holiday baking go-to because it’s one of those magical recipes that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat. Easy, festive, and endlessly customizable, these cookies create moments of sweet happiness that bring everyone together. So gather your ingredients, crank up your holiday playlist, and dive into this wonderful cookie adventure—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Festive and easy Cake Mix Christmas Cookies made with a simple combination of cake mix, eggs, and oil, decorated with colorful sprinkles and optional white chocolate chips or M&M’s. Perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting, these soft and chewy cookies bake up quickly and bring a joyful touch to your celebrations.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar
- Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until a soft dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in half of the red and green sprinkles along with the optional white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s, if using, to evenly distribute the festive decorations within the dough.
- Form Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Decorate: Slightly flatten each dough ball with your fingers or the back of a spoon, then sprinkle extra red and green sprinkles or colored sugar on top for a cheerful holiday look.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft for the perfect chewy texture.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, helping them firm up and maintain shape.
- Serve or Gift: Once fully cooled, enjoy your festive cookies or package them as delightful holiday gifts for friends and family.
Notes
- For best results, do not overbake; cookies should be soft in the center when removed from the oven.
- You can substitute the sprinkles and mix-ins with any festive decorations or chocolate chips of your choice.
- If you prefer a crisper cookie, bake an additional 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- To make smaller cookies, use a teaspoon to scoop, adjusting baking time accordingly.
