This Christmas Cake Mix Cookies is the easiest and most festive little cookie you can pull together when the holidays get busy and you still want something warm, soft and homemade coming out of your oven. It answers the search for a quick Christmas cookie with a tender center, cheerful sprinkles and a shortcut ingredient that keeps everything dependable and beginner friendly.
The Christmas Cake Mix Cookies recipe works so well because the cake mix gives you that classic soft bakery style texture while the eggs, oil and vanilla round everything out with a cozy homemade flavor. If you are planning a whole cookie tray, these Christmas Cake Mix Cookies pair beautifully with my Easy Christmas Cookies and Best Soft Christmas Cookies, so you can offer a mix of simple, crowd pleasing treats without spending all day in the kitchen.
In This Post
Why You Will Love This Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
- It gives you the softest Christmas cookie texture with almost no effort at all since the cake mix does most of the work.
- It brings that classic holiday flavor even though the ingredient list stays wonderfully simple, which is why so many families rely on Christmas Cake Mix Cookies each year.
- It is perfect for last minute baking because the dough chills quickly and bakes even faster.
- It is a fun project for kids since they can roll the dough and add extra sprinkles.
- It is incredibly reliable so you never have to worry about a batch spreading too much or turning out dry.
table talk
With Liliya!
Whenever the holiday season arrives, I find myself leaning into simple cookie recipes that make the whole house smell sweet without keeping me in the kitchen all day. These little Christmas Cake Mix Cookies disappear quickly at every gathering because each one feels soft, cheerful and nostalgic. I love that they look festive without needing frosting or any complicated decorating.
Liliya
Ingredients Needed For Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
- White cake mix. This is the main structure of the cookie and creates a soft crumb with a light vanilla base. A standard 15.25 ounce box works perfectly. I often find that reputable national brands give the most consistent texture.
- Canola or vegetable oil. Oil keeps these cookies soft and tender. It also helps the dough come together without any fuss. Either oil works the same so use what you already have.
- Eggs. Two large eggs bring moisture and richness while helping the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Vanilla extract. A little bit of vanilla deepens the flavor of the cake mix and gives these cookies a warm bakery style aroma.
- Red, white and green sprinkles. These add the essential Christmas look and a fun crunch. Use three separate tablespoons to fold into the dough and save extra for topping each cookie before baking.
How I Make Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
(This is a quick overview of how I make Christmas Cake Mix Cookies, with tips along the way. You will find the full ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.)
- Mix everything together by stirring the cake mix, oil, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl until completely smooth.
- Fold in the sprinkles and make sure the colors are evenly spread so every cookie feels festive.
- Chill the dough for about thirty minutes which helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
- Preheat the oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit about ten minutes before removing your dough from the fridge.
- Scoop the dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Add extra sprinkles to the tops of the dough balls so they bake into that cheerful holiday look.
- Bake the cookies for eight to ten minutes just until the bottoms turn light golden since overbaking will take away their soft texture.
- Cool and enjoy either warm or at room temperature.
Expert Tips for Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Chill the dough to keep the cookies from spreading too much.
Use parchment paper instead of greasing the pan for the best edges.
Add the extra sprinkles right before baking so the colors stay bright.
Pull the cookies out when the centers still look soft since they finish setting on the baking sheet.
What to Serve with Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Serve these cookies with hot cocoa, peppermint tea, a warm holiday latte or a simple mug of black coffee. They also pair beautifully with a platter of other Christmas treats like brownies, sugar cookies or homemade fudge.
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies Variations and Substitutions
Fold in walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, dried fruit, white chocolate chips etc.
I love baking my blondies for around seventeen to twenty minutes for a chewy gooey blondie. If you like a more cakey blondie bake a few additional minutes. Do not forget that they will continue to bake as they cool in the pan.
If you want thicker blondies use an eight by eight or nine by nine inch pan and bake for around twenty three to twenty five minutes. See this section to compare the difference in blondie thickness.
Storing / Freezing Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. To freeze, arrange the cooled cookies in a freezer safe container or bag and keep them frozen for up to two months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Can I Make Christmas Cake Mix Cookies Without Sprinkles
Yes, you absolutely can make these cookies without sprinkles. The sprinkles mainly add a fun holiday look and a little crunch, but the cookies themselves bake up perfectly soft and delicious even without them. If you still want a festive touch you can lightly dust the dough balls with powdered sugar before baking or drizzle a little melted white chocolate on top once they cool.
How to Package These Cookies for Gifting
These Christmas Cake Mix Cookies make wonderful holiday gifts because they stay soft and colorful for days. I love placing them in a small bakery style box lined with parchment paper so the sprinkles stay bright. Clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon also look charming and travel well. If you want an extra festive touch tuck in a handwritten note or a tiny ornament to make the gift feel personal and cozy.
Troubleshooting Flat Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
If your cookies turned out flatter than you expected there are a few easy things to check. Warm dough tends to spread too quickly in the oven so chilling the dough for at least thirty minutes is important. Using a warm baking sheet from a previous batch can also cause spreading so always switch to a cool sheet. Finally, make sure you are using the full amount of cake mix because even a small reduction can loosen the dough.
How to Turn This Recipe Into Cookie Bars
If you want to make bars instead of cookies just press the prepared dough into a lined nine by nine inch baking pan. Scatter a few extra sprinkles on top and bake at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit for about eighteen to twenty two minutes or until the center looks set but still slightly soft. Let the pan cool completely before cutting into squares so you end up with neat edges and that same soft chewy texture everyone loves.
FAQs About Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, vanilla, yellow or even funfetti cake mix all work beautifully and give slightly different flavors.
Can I skip chilling the dough?
The cookies will still bake but may spread more, so chilling is recommended.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Double all ingredients and bake in batches.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the dough, chill it and bake within twenty four hours for the best results.
More Holiday Cookie Recipes
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Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
- Total Time20 minutes
- Yield22 cookies 1x
These Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are soft, chewy and wonderfully festive with bright red, green and white sprinkles tucked into every bite. They come together in minutes because the cake mix does all the heavy lifting, which makes them perfect for holiday parties, cookie boxes or last minute baking when you want something homemade without any fuss.
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix, 15.25 ounce
- 1 half cup canola or vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 half teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons each red, white and green sprinkles, plus more for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together the cake mix, oil, eggs and vanilla until the mixture becomes completely smooth.
- Stir in the red, white and green sprinkles so the colors are evenly distributed.
- Place the bowl of dough in the refrigerator and chill for thirty minutes.
- About ten minutes before the dough is ready, preheat the oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop the chilled dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add a little more of each sprinkle color to the top of every dough ball.
- Bake for eight to ten minutes or until the bottoms turn lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on a rack and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Do not skip chilling because it helps the cookies keep their shape.
- Pull the cookies out while the centers still look soft since they continue baking as they cool.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days or freeze for up to two months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 125 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
More Christmas Cookie Recipes to Try
Looking for more holiday baking? Browse the full Christmas Cookie Recipes collection, or browse everything in our Cookie Recipes.
