Cake Mix Cookies 12 Ways – So many varieties, you’ll want to try them all! 4 ingredients, 20 minutes, and you can have soft, delicious cookies. Video Included.
I do love to cook from scratch, but sometimes you need a little help from the store to make something super easy! A cake mix is a great way to do that. So grab that cake mix and try these Cake Mix Cookies, then try my Funfetti Pancakes, Dump Cake Recipe, or Coconut and Pistachio Pudding Cake!
The Easiest Cookie Recipe
These Cake Mix Cookies have become one of those go-to recipes for years now for when I want/need cookies, but am feeling a bit lazy. Seriously – only 4 ingredients and 20 minutes, and you have your cookies. And let’s not lie – sometimes you just need a pink strawberry cookie.
I love these cookies because not only are they super easy and super fast, but when it comes to flavor combinations, the sky is the limit! You can use any flavor of cake mix that you want, then choose your add-in. Chocolate chips, candy pieces, nuts, coconut, toffee… go crazy!! To get your creative ideas going, I have included 12 different flavors you can turn these cookies into. This is really just a jumping off point, though – there are so many great combinations you could make!
Ingredients
This is the easiest cookie recipe ever – technically all you need are 3 ingredients, but I like to throw the 4th one in to add some variety.
Cake Mix – I have found that brand doesn’t matter here. You just need the dry cake mix – not the ingredients it calls for on the back.
Vegetable Oil – I like using vegetable oil for the softest cookies.
Eggs – You’ll need 2 eggs. I haven’t tried any substitutions, but others have used Greek yogurt or applesauce in place of the eggs.
Mix-Ins – This is where you can have fun! Use chocolate chips or sprinkles or nuts or candy pieces. It’s really fun to play around with different kinds of mix-ins to see what kind of flavor combinations you can come up with!
How to Make Cake Mix Cookies
- Combine the dry cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix together until combined.
- Add in your mix in – for the photos, I am using coconut as my mix in. Mix to combine.
- Scoop the dough – it is sticky, so I like to use a cookie scoop.
- Place the dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat liner.
- Bake until the cookies are set around the edges.
Cake Mix Cookies Video
Want to see how to make these cookies instead? Watch the video above to see just how easy they are!
Tips and Tricks
- Different flavors of cake mixes act differently. The strawberry cake mix usually makes thicker cookies for me, while yellow cake mixes will spread out more. I tried refrigerating dough to see if that would help with the cookies that spread more, but it didn’t make a huge difference. The mix in that you choose could make a difference, as well.
- I know that different brands of cake mixes are different sizes. I tried these with different sizes – from 15.25 oz to 18.25 oz and found that you don’t need to alter any ingredients for different brands of cake mixes.
- I always use vegetable oil, but I know others have had success using melted butter instead.
- These cookies stay soft for several days. Store in an airtight container.
- No mixer is needed! I used a hand mixer in the video, but you can easily make these with just a spoon or a spatula.
12 Ways to Make Cake Mix Cookies
Like I said above, it’s time to get creative! Here are 12 combinations – use one of these or make up your own!
Yellow cake mix with toffee chips
White cake mix with mini m&ms
Strawberry cake mix with shredded coconut
Cherry chip cake mix with mini chocolate chips
Spice cake mix with pecans
Red velvet cake mix with white chocolate chips
More Cake Mix Cookies
Banana Split Cake Mix Cookies
Watermelon Cake Mix Cookie Sandwiches
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Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cake mix* dry ingredients only
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup mix ins such as chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with a silpat liner or parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, vegetable oil and eggs until combined. Stir in the mix ins.
- Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake just until the cookies are set in the middle, 10-12 minutes.
- Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a cooling rack or a sheet of waxed paper.
Lori says
I make something similiar as well. The recipe calls for Cool Whip and an egg added to the mix – then rolled in powered sugar! Yummy.
I have used a Cherry Chip mix and a Lemon Mix – we call them Snowflake cookies but love them anytime of the year!
Mary Lou says
Try this one! White cake mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup chopped Candied cherries, 1 cup of chopped pecans and 1 1/2 cups of White chocolate morsels. Mix well, using a tablespoon drop on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I usually roll them in the palm of my hands. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes. My husband loves them. The guys that I work with really love them, too.
Kasey says
I make a similar cookie, but instead of oil, I use one cube of butter, softened in the microwave to almost melting… yummy!
When I make the chocolate ones I add chocolate chips. Sometimes I don’t then I will make a thick cream cheese frosting and put 2 cookies together.
My kids love it when I do Funfetti cake cookies.
shelly says
Can I make the strawberry ones without the coconut? Is there something I can substitute for it. I want to make these for Christmas, but I have a few guests that do not like coconut. I was going to make both the choc and the strawberry.
Deborah says
@shelly, you can add in any sort of addition – I think white chocolate chips would go well, or even regular chocolate chips!
maryanne says
my mom substitutes rice krispies for the coconut. Still has crunch, but keeps it light
Katie says
is the coconut coconut oil, shredded coconut, coconut milk etc??
Deborah says
@Katie, it is shredded coconut
Emily says
I definitely need to try this! About how many cookies does this make?
Deborah says
@Emily, It’s been awhile since I’ve made these, but I’m guessing it’s about 2 dozen.
Melissa D says
Yes I made some tonight it made 26 cookies so 2 dozen is right on point!
latayia says
@Emily, so far i am able to make 30 cookies each one being about a table spoon full of dough 🙂
Leah says
Does anyone know how many cups are in a box of cake mix? I have some leftover cake mix from making cake batter rice krispee treats and I was thinking I could cut this recipe in half to use up my leftovers. But I’m not sure how many cups equals half a box of cake mix…
Deborah says
@Leah, I’m not sure how many cups there are, but if you have a kitchen scale, the weight should be on the box. That might be the easiest way to figure it out. Good luck!!
latayia says
@Leah, maybe about 41/2- 5 cups
Teri Pyles says
how do you make cake mix rice krispie treats?
melissa d campbell says
2 cups
Robin Haas says
I just made these starting with a homemade yellow cake mix. Try this:
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp table salt
I had to add 1 tsp of vanilla extract to the cookies and used 1/4 cup butterscotch chips, 1/4 cup chocolate chips, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon.
They came out great!!
Thank you for the idea.
Bonnye says
I made the strawberry cakemix cookies but substitute applesauce for the oil. I always do with any recipe. Yummy and no fat.
Karrisa says
How much applesauce? The same as the oil measurement?
belladane says
I just tried that as well, I like to use Applesauce instead of oil/butter as well. But the cookies came out looking like cupcake tops, not cookies. Do you get this same problem? I substituted 1:1 the applesause for the oil (so a half cup of applesauce.) I used the white cake mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup applescause, and 1/2 cup of M&M’s, but they don’t look like the other pics. What did I do wrong?
Elaine Lynn says
But how much applesauce do u use? And does it make the cookies to moist?
Michelle says
Deb – Like I told you – These cookies looked so good I went to the store that and bought a strawberry cake mix and coconut. We went to our friends beach house for the weekend and the cookies were a hit! Damon also absolutely loved them!
Claire says
I have a recipe very similar to this but for some reason it adds a 1/4 cup sugar. I leave that out. My aunt used to make these chocolate chip cookies that I thought were divine…turns out they were just butter cake mix cookies with CC in them! I think this is best with lemon or strawberry mix.
Kristen says
I love those pink cookies…my three year old would be all over those. I’m going to have to make these soon!
Oh – and what a cute dessert would this be to bring for someone who just had a baby girl? Love it!
Chris says
Yum!I love these! I have never made cookies with cake mix – just brownies. And then, I have made cookies with brownie mix. I will have to try these! Thanks!
Patricia Scarpin says
I have never tried making cookies with cake mixes, Deb – this is totally new to me!
I love the pink cookies. 🙂
KJ says
Hi Deborah. I have never heard of cake mix cookies. What an interesting idea. I quite like the sound of strawberry biscuits.
Tart Reform says
Hey, just wanted to let you know that I was recently asked to list my 5 fave female bloggers, and I put you down. I just love reading about your latest successes and attempts. Thanks!
Poonam says
Hi Deborah, I am here for the first time! I never thought of making cookies from a cake mix. I have a cake mix left unopened for a long time now…i will try your recipe on that mix…thanks for sharing!..Loved reading your posts..