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.
james says
These cookies do not taste good, I used name brand cake mixes and the cookies are real bland. THey looked beautiful, but failed big time in taste department.
Susie B. says
Can these be rolled in powdered sugar before baking to give the crinkle effect?
Deborah says
I have never tried, but I’m sure it would work well!
Brenda says
I used milk chocolate cake mix with cut up peanut butter pieces. Delicious!!
Karla says
My boyfriend is a huge fan! He has been raving to everyone who will listen. I used Butter Pecan cake mix with chocolate chips. They were the best chocolate chip cookies I ever made. I also used Lemon cake mix and rolled them in powdered sugar before baking. They are so fast and easy. Takes way less time than cookies from scratch yet they are just as delicious!
Hamza says
I love how easy and convenient these cake mix cookies are to make. They’re perfect for when I’m short on time but still want a delicious homemade treat.
Nan says
I made strawberry funfetti with lemon zest. Super easy. Nice bake. Too sweet for my taste
Saundra Fisher says
I made coconut macadamia nut cookies. Duper delicious! I used yellow cake mix, coconut flavoring and coconut oil. I chilled the dough. they came out perfect. I ❤️ cake mix cookies.
Bijoux says
What a great recipe. makes cookies quick, rather than measuring and all the ingredients for from scratch.
I have made fudge swirl mix with pecans, coconut and dark chocolate chips. strawberry cake mix with dark chocolate chips and almonds. banana cake mix with dark chocolate chips, coconut and dark chocolate chips.
thanks for the recipe!
Cindy says
I think someone likes dark chocolate chips!!
Suzanne A says
I used the recipe with Pillsbury Zero sugar free cake mix. They came out delicious-just watch the time ( edges don’t brown).
Carla Zarins says
What a delicious, easy cookie to make and so versatile too! I did lemon cake with white chocolate chips, carrot cake with coconut flakes and chocolate with big chunks of reeces peanut butter cups! My husband loved all 3! I am taking to a cookie exchange and I am sure the girls will love them too. Second best part, I did all 3 flavors in 2 hours and if I had a bigger cookie sheet it would have been faster. Awesome recipe!
Deborah says
Thanks so much, Carla! They all sound wonderful!
Lisa Knaus says
Having tried the cake Box cookie recipe that’s been floating around the internet (which I used 13×9 baking pan, then I cut them into squares) ~.. they came out really good and chewy!.. My question is this: I asked my husband to get me either a fudge or devils food cake mix to try some Christmas cookies with peppermint and marshmallows and he brought home Milk Chocolate! I cannot find ANY recipes that call for milk chocolate cake mix!!😣 can the milk chocolate mix be used?..
Deborah says
Yes! This should work with any flavor of cake mix.
Cotton says
I have not tried this yet, but I want to make tea cake cookies with the butter recipe cake mix. Could I substitute the oil for butter?
Deborah says
I have not tried it, but I am guessing that it would work. Let me know if you do try and how they turn out!
Cindy says
I use melted butter in place of the oil. I place the batter in the freezer for 10 minutes before scooping and baking. works great!
MLissa Wilkins says
Will be trying these they sound incredible! My local store made these and they were original and amazing. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! I will try and replicate now that we moved and I have no access. Thanks
MB says
I’m a from scratch kind of baker but this recipe is perfect for a quick cookie! I’ve make two kinds – devils food with toasted pecans & Aztec chocolate shavings and yellow cake mix with mini chips and caramel bits.
Thanks!,
Terrie says
Loved the cookies
Drea says
Easy peasy! My 6yo got to do most of it herself and I love how the texture turned out!
Shirley A. says
I had never heard of this but tried the rainbow cake mix and chocolate chips and they were absolutely great. Easy to make and a quick homemade recipe for surprise company.
Children friendly too.
Thank you
Tracy Cordova says
Devils Food cake & Walnuts.