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.
Carol Ollee says
The perfect cookie. Made it eggless. Substituted 1/4 cup yogurt for eggs. You would never know!
Amy J says
Simple recipe with delicious results! And it’s versatile to boot!
j says
Amazing.
Derenda Gold says
I had been using a different recipe that said if using a 15 oz cake mix add 1/4 cup plain flour. I could always taste that raw flour taste. I’m happy to know that I can omit that extra flour.
Tammy St.Germain says
I made strawberry and added Funfetti Chips. Tasty combination. Have also done German chocolate with Chocolate Chips – Thank you Deborah!
Jane Beardslee says
I made chocolate cookies and used them to make ice çream sandwiches. The family loved them and I’m about to make another batch. These are great.
Pamela Bourque says
I used a devils food cake mix and a Hershey bar with peanuts. Divine!
Liz says
So easy and yummy! I made a devil’s food cake mix with milk chocolate chips. Reese’s pieces on top.
Irma Louie says
Why do the peanut butter cookies get harder than the other flavors
Deborah says
I’m afraid I have never tried using peanut butter, so I’m not quite sure. Sorry!
Cheryl says
Use this recipe a lot. I use creamy peanut butter and it works perfectly for me. They area big hit. When done baking I put a min peanut butter cup in the middle. So good!
James Tino says
Great way to use cake mix. I made the recipe using yellow cake mix then added 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1/4 cup dried cherries, 1/4 cup almond paste and 2 tsp almond extract. Made 14 good sized cookies baked 14 mins. Better than a bakery!
Mary Alice says
Loved this recipe, and had no idea that there were so many different flavors. Great cookie ideas!
Kim Morton says
I was craving something sweet and made the yellow box cake cookies and drizzled caramel sauce over top and they turned out delicious, thanks to my sweet tooth!
Kathysedai says
I made my own cake mix from a recipe book, using only the dry ingredients. It turned out to be 2 box mixes worth, but doubled the wet, voila. Perfect.
Kimberly Erlenbach says
Can’t I add peanut butter to make peanut butter cookies
Deborah says
I have not personally tried adding peanut butter, but have seen other recipes that use a yellow cake mix, 1 cup of peanut butter, plus the eggs and oil. If you try, let me know how they turn out!
Amber says
Yellow or white cake mix,1 1/2 cups Peanut butter and the normal eggs and oil. It works wonders. I used a chocolate cake mix at one point for a different flavor combo and it was a huge hit. FYI it works with brownie mixes too!
CHARLOTTE says
I used this recipe to make cookies with a spice cake mix and added cinnamon candies was very good!
Deborah says
Sounds delicious!
Dawn says
Ermagerd! This! Cake mix cookies were so easy to make and the variations are endless! Doesn’t taste like cake! Cookies all the way. Great for cookie exchanges! Thanks!
Katie says
I live at 3200 ft elevation, do you have recommendation for high altitude? I tried to make this with red velvet mix, the dough was so sticky/thick that my mixer wouldn’t turn it and hand kneading left my hands a disaster. I tried adding more flour, more liquid, nothing improved the situation. I ended up throwing the batch away. I’m afraid to try another batch.
Deborah says
I am at about 4500 ft elevation, but have not had problems before. Is the red velvet the only kind you tried? It is a thicker/stickier dough than normal cookies, but I haven’t had a problem mixing it with a hand mixer or even by hand with a spatula. I’d maybe try a different kind of cake mix, or even a different brand, to see if that helps.
Micky says
How much of the add in are we supposed to put in?
Deborah says
1/2 cup