Sometimes, the best Christmas cookies recipes are the ones that take you from zero to delicious in under 30 minutes. Forget the complicated flour measurements and the fussy steps; this recipe is the ultimate baking cheat code. Introducing the Christmas Cake Mix Cookies Recipe Easy style—a simple 5-ingredient dessert that delivers perfectly soft, chewy, and customizable cookies every single time.
This secret lies in using a box of cake mix as the foundation. The mix already contains the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, which means you only need to add the necessary wet ingredients to transform it into a sturdy cookie dough. It’s the perfect solution for last-minute gatherings, school events, or when you just need a quick dose of holiday cheer. Keep a box of cake mix in your pantry, and you’ll always be ready for a festive baking emergency!
Why Cake Mix Cookies are a Holiday Win
For busy home cooks, the simplicity of this recipe makes it an instant classic among Christmas cookies recipes.
- 5-Ingredient Miracle: The base recipe requires only cake mix, eggs, oil, vanilla, and sprinkles. It’s budget-friendly and eliminates the measuring stress.
- Ultimate Customization: Since you start with a cake mix, your flavor options are endless! You can make Red Velvet cookies with white chocolate chips, Chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips, or stick to a simple White Cake mix and load it up with festive flair.
- Chewy Texture: Contrary to what you might expect, these cookies bake up perfectly—soft in the middle and slightly chewy around the edges. They hold their shape and have a delicious, subtle cake-like crumb.
- Kid-Friendly Prep: The process is so simple that children can handle the mixing (once the ingredients are measured) and, most importantly, the fun job of rolling the dough balls in sprinkles.
The Anatomy of the Perfect Cake Mix Cookie
To ensure your Christmas cake mix cookies recipe easy method results in perfectly chewy cookies, pay attention to the few ingredients you do add.
The Cake Mix Choice and Size
The recipe relies on the proportions found in a standard $15.25\text{ oz}$ box of cake mix (like white, vanilla, or red velvet). If your box size is different, the dough consistency might be off, so sticking to the standard size is key for success.
Wet Ingredients for Texture
- Vegetable Oil: This is the primary fat used here, and it’s what keeps the cookies incredibly soft and moist compared to butter-based doughs.
- Eggs: Eggs provide the necessary structure and binding that separates cookie dough from cake batter.
The Festive Finish
To truly make them Christmas cookies, you need a double dose of color:
- Mix-in Sprinkles: Stirring a portion of the sprinkles directly into the dough adds color and visual interest inside the cookie.
- Rolling Sprinkles: Rolling the dough balls in an extra layer of sprinkles ensures a vibrant, eye-catching, festive crust that doesn’t fade during baking.
Step-by-Step: From Box to Cookie
This method is so fast, you can have warm cookies in under 30 minutes.
| Step | Action | Notes |
| Prep Time | 10 Minutes | |
| Cook Time | 8-10 Minutes | |
| Yields | Approximately 24 cookies |
Making the Dough
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to $350^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($175^{\circ}\text{C}$). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- Add Cake Mix: Pour the entire contents of the cake mix box into the wet ingredients. Stir with a spoon or electric mixer until a thick, uniform dough forms.
- Stir in Sprinkles: Gently stir in a small amount (about $1/4$ cup) of your festive sprinkles.
Scooping, Rolling, and Baking
- Prep Rolling: Pour the remaining sprinkles ($1/2$ cup) onto a shallow plate.
- Roll: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Roll each ball in the sprinkles on the plate until completely coated.
- Bake: Place the balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly browned. The centers should still look soft.
- Cool: Let them cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Pro-Tips and Flavor Variations
Make your Christmas cake mix cookies recipe easy but absolutely delicious with these simple enhancements.
Customizing the Base
- Red Velvet: Use red velvet cake mix and fold in $1/2$ cup of white chocolate chips for a beautiful color contrast.
- Chocolate Peppermint: Use chocolate cake mix and fold in peppermint chips or crushed candy canes (add candy canes after baking to prevent melting).
- Lemon Zing: Use lemon cake mix and fold in $1/2$ cup of white chocolate chips for a bright, sunny holiday cookie.
Essential Baking Tips
- Right Size Box: Double-check that you are using a $15.25\text{ oz}$ box, as smaller boxes may require a slight reduction in oil/egg or the addition of a tablespoon of flour to thicken the dough.
- Prevent Spreading: If your dough feels very soft or sticky, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before rolling and baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape better.
- Mix-ins: Feel free to add $1/2$ to 1 cup of any mix-in you like: chocolate chips, toffee bits, nuts, or dried cranberries.
Storage and Freezing
This is a great recipe for getting ahead on your holiday baking!
- Storing Baked Cookies: These cookies stay perfectly soft in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Once cooled, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature.
- Freezing Dough Balls: Scoop and roll the plain dough balls (before rolling in sprinkles). Freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Roll them in the sprinkles just before baking, adding 1-2 minutes to the cook time.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Baking Shortcut
The Christmas Cake Mix Cookies Recipe Easy style proves that holiday baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be festive and delicious. With only five core ingredients and endless flavor possibilities, this recipe is a guaranteed time-saver and a crowd-pleaser. Stock up on your favorite cake mixes, grab those festive sprinkles, and enjoy the simplest cookie-making experience of the season!
5-Ingredient Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- cookie scoop
- wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (white, vanilla, or red velvet)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup festive sprinkles, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- Add the full box of cake mix into the wet ingredients. Stir until a thick cookie dough forms.
- Stir in about 1/4 cup of sprinkles to add color inside the cookies.
- Pour the remaining 1/2 cup sprinkles onto a shallow plate.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll each in the sprinkles until fully coated.
- Arrange dough balls on the baking sheet, leaving 2 inches of space. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Let cookies cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
• Use a 15.25 oz cake mix for perfect dough texture.
• If dough feels sticky, chill it for 15–20 minutes before rolling.
• Avoid overbaking—these cookies should stay slightly soft in the center. Delicious Variations:
• Red Velvet: Add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips.
• Chocolate Peppermint: Fold in peppermint chips or add crushed candy canes after baking.
• Lemon: Add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips for a bright holiday flavor. Storage:
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing:
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months, or freeze plain dough balls and roll in sprinkles just before baking.