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.
Shawna says
I’ve made three different batches already!! I love the simplicity and more so the flavoring. Thank you for sharing!!!
Cynthia says
I never heard of using cake mix to make cookies but I’m glad I found this recipe. I made chocolate chip cookies today, they tasted like a hybrid between brownies and cookies. Fast, easy and delicious recipe. Will definitely do it again.
Patty says
Tried the lemon but swapped butter for oil, delicious. Next time I’m trying applesauce that I didn’t have this time.
Patty says
Can I use 1/2 cup butter instead of oil for a buttery taste?
Deborah says
I’m sure that would work just fine!
Cindy says
I Love your recipes ❤️❤️❤️
Flora says
I love this quick and easy. I’ve made vanilla and chocolate ones. I’m going to try and make snickerdoodles with the yellow cake.
Patricia Goodall says
Needed to make a batch of cookies in a hurry to take to a friend. Was surprised they were that good. I used a chocolate cake mix, substituted butter for oil, and added 3/4 cup of chocolate chips instead of the recommended 1/2 cup.
Mary says
I used your recipe and added my own twist I made Mint chip cookies for Christmas I colored them Red and some Green ones.
Wendy J. says
Hi Deborah, I make cake box cookies every year, different flavors and add ins. Last year I put the dough in the fridge for about 1/2 hr, they turned our way better.
Amy Sciortino says
Great recipe. I made lemon with white chocolate chips and chocolate fudge with coconut and butterscotch chips!
Barbara Dockery says
An easy make. Taste just like making from scratch.
Jean Roberts says
I made devil’s food cake with mini marshmallows added at the final minute of baking. …really good! I also made vanilla bean cake with crushed peppermint added at the final minute of baking. I may add fine sugar/sugar sand to make them more “holiday”. Family liked them both!
Silver says
Found this recipe and feel like I hit the mother lode! Make different mixes and everyone thinks I have worked so hard. All wanting the recipes. This is a 10+ recipe
Penny Studer says
I make muffins with a cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree. I am going to try cookies this way and add one cup oatmeal and raisins and pecans. Hope they turn out.
Kathy says
I wanted to leave a comment for all my fellow high altitude bakers who find it a challenge to find a cookie recipe that doesn’t come out flat as a fritter. ! I live at 4200 feet, so to the dry cake mix I added a generous tablespoon of all purpose flour. and used a lightly melted cube of margarine instead of oil .I also added as a mix in the coconut to give the batter substance, Baked as directed and these cookies turned out wonderfully ! Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I highly recommend for high altitudes !!!!!
Shirley says
This is the second time I have made them. The first time I put a caramel M&M in the middle.