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.
Britney says
Just made a dozen delicious, huge double chocolate cookies thanks to you! They were so soft, scrumptious, and ready in no time. My husband calls them “cakies.” Lol thank you so much for the great ideas!
Deborah says
Yay! And I love the name!
Gijs Vader says
Hi there,
The shops in my town have not that many cake mixes.
Can you also use pie-mixes?
Deborah says
I don’t think a pie mix will work the same. Sorry!
Marilyn Lund says
I’ve made cake mix cookies for years and here’s what I’ve found: The large size cake mix box makes great and chewy and not flat cookies. When the cake mixes started coming out much less weight the cookies spread out and were not as good as the “old” box size cake mix cookies. Because I have a kitchen scale, I measured out flour to make up the difference (it was 1/2 cup) between the old and new boxed mixes. Now I always add 1/2 cup flour to the new smaller box cake mix when making cake mix cookies and they are ALWAYS pump and chewy, and i don’t have to add anything else for the flavoring, just any add ins.
Alexa says
The cake mix box I bought says to use 3 eggs instead of 2. Should I follow the box instructions or use just 2 eggs as you mentioned in the directions?
Deborah says
You won’t be making the cake as directed on the box, you will just need the dry cake mix. So use the dry cake mix and follow the instructions as listed on this recipe.
Maryann says
Can I freeze them after they are baked?
Deborah says
I haven’t tried freezing them, but I’m guessing they would freeze well.
Melanee says
Yes!! Definitely freeze super well – put a layer of wax paper or plastic wrap between layers so they don’t stick to each other. I like to stack them in an ice cream bucket. I have made these since little (long time) and have a couple ideas. We make them with dark chocolate cake mix, add 2 tsp black cocoa into your recipe and we use stick of butter and not oil. Cook for the 9-11 min. Then they firm up as they cool some. We make a thick cream cheese icing (not too sweet – hold back some icing sugar), or we even have made the chocolate chip cookie edible dough without eggs — put between two of these. I love them frozen — the kids love them semi-frozen and room temp. They were called fake oreos when I was young. You could make a peanut butter icing and put between them. I use a small cookie scoop so they are all the same size for matching — holds about 1 1/2 tsp of the raw dough.
Deborah says
Love your ideas here!!
Margret says
I was wondering what you can substitute the Eggs in the recipe with?
Deborah says
I’m afraid I’m not sure, as I don’t usually do any substitutions for the eggs. I did a quick Google search, and there was a suggestion to use 1/4 cup of applesauce for each egg. But I have’t tested it with this recipe to see if that will work. Sorry!
Carol says
I used egg substitute and applesauce in place of the oil. Did yellow cake mix and Heath toffee bits….Delish!! Mine were not flat as shown though, I just assumed it was because I didn’t use oil.
Melissa D says
Greek yogurt (i use vanilla) can be subbed for the eggs, one cup per box of cookie mix. I have done it several times and it works well. It HAS To be greek, regular yogurt doesn’t bake right.
Jackie says
So I tried making thees tonight and OMG they are the best cookies i have ever made, i did have to substitute the oil for spread but i blended up blueberries and added choc chips, my 2yr old is trying to take them off the counter
Deborah says
Sounds delicious – I’m so glad you liked the recipe!
Nicole says
I was reading through, and how much flour do you use.
Deborah says
No flour – the dry ingredients all come from the cake mix.
Jennifer says
Add cream cheese….yum!!
Roberta says
what does the “ins.” mean?
Deborah says
The mix in are whatever you choose to add to your cookies. If you look below the recipe card, there are lots of different options – coconut, m&ms, chocolate chips, nuts. It is just referring to that extra item you add.
Julie E. says
Try adding 3 cups of cocoa rice cereal to yellow cake min. Yum!!!!!
Deborah says
Definitely trying that!!
Cathy says
Love these cookies…I made some using an Orange mix, 1/2 cup of oil, 1 egg, 2 tbsp of fresh squeezed orange and the grated zest from the orange…
Also did the same with a lemon cake mix and lemon juice and the zest… Delicious !
Pat says
As someone else said, this idea of cake mix cookies has been around a very long time, I know I used it as a “new bride” back in the early 1960s. I think it’s wonderful that you’ve introduced it to a whole new generation of cooks. I have yet to find a flavor of cake mix that does NOT lend itself to yummy cookies, the fun/challenge is to decide what “add in” to pair with what cake mix. My personal favorite “go to” pairing is a yellow cake with semi-sweet chocolate chips and pecans …. but I guess that’s because it was my first and I’m a “traditionalist”. Different holidays call for a different add in too, e.g., crushed peppermint sticks at Christmas, diced candied cherries for Valentine’s day, green candied cherries and a little green food coloring for St. Patrick’s day., etc.
Linda & Kendall says
My grand-daughter Kendall and I like to make this version; Cherry Chip cake mix with dark chocolate chips. Everyone in the family loves these! I don’t see this particular version listed by anyone else. Definitely worth trying.. Yummy
Deborah says
I love cherry chip cake, so I’m definitely going to have to try this version!!
Trishfields says
Has anyone done the Funfetti banana split cookies? They are great!! Can I freeze them after baking? Trying to get Christmas baking done in advance
Deborah says
I haven’t tried freezing them myself, but I would guess that they would freeze well.
linda says
you be surprised what you can put in cake mix cookies
my favoret is a plain white cake and add your favoret like almond or orange extract
so good
Pamela says
Thank you for the suggestion of using extracts for flavoring. I have many flavors in extracts I use for making candies at Christmas. I went to my cupboard and found only white cake mixes. The wheels are turning.
sharon white says
My great granddaughter and l made the strawberry cookies . She is 3 and I am still under 80.
What a great afternoon we had ! We served cookies and milk to her great grandfather and father on the patio. Such a easy beginning to baking and fun for all.
Thank you.
Deborah says
How fun!! I’m so glad that you were able to have such a special time together!