These cake mix cookies are such an easy and delicious recipe to make with only 3 ingredients! Customize this recipe with your favorite flavor and mix-in’s.
Table of Contents
Easiest Cookie Recipe Ever
We’ve shared a few different cookie recipes using cake mix, such as the strawberry cookies, chocolate mint cookies and red velvet gooey cookies, but I thought it was about time I shared the original recipe. The options are endless depending on the flavor of cake mix you use!
I first saw this recipe in a church cookbook (along with my easy dump cake) I received many years ago and have made many different variations ever since, even cake mix brownies! These cake cookies are great for when you need to make something quick and don’t have a lot of ingredients on hand. I don’t know about you, but I pretty much always have a box of cake mix, oil and eggs on hand.
These cookies are soft, fluffy and seriously so delicious. I love how many different variations you can easily make. Plus, they are so simple that you literally can’t mess them up. My kids love to help make them too. They are always a huge hit!
3 Simple Ingredients
This recipe requires only 3 ingredients (which you probably already have on hand!). This is seriously the easiest dessert to whip up and perfect for the kids to help with.
- Cake mix: Use 1 box of cake mix (any flavor you’d like). Check out a few of my favorite variations below.
- Oil: Vegetable oil works best in this recipe. You’ll need 1/2 cup or you can use melted butter.
- Eggs: Add in 2 large eggs.
Feel free to include any extra mix-in’s like M&M’s, chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles or candy pieces.
How To Make Cookies From Cake Mix
You can find the printable recipe and video tutorial below.
- Combine. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl with a mixer until the dough is smooth. If I have time, I like to refrigerate the dough, so it’s easier to work with.
- Scoop. Use a cookie scoop to add place the dough onto a prepared baking sheet. Then add any extra mix-in’s if you’d like.
- Bake. Cook in the oven at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes until the cookies are set!
Baking Tips
- Refrigerate the dough: The dough tends to be a little stickier than your typical cookie dough because of the oil, so I’d recommend refrigerating the dough for about 30 minutes so it’s easier to work with.
- Don’t over bake: You definitely don’t want these cookies to brown in the oven. Let them bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are set. You want them to have a soft texture. To help prevent the bottoms from browning, line your pan with parchment paper.
- Freeze any extras: These cookies freeze beautifully. If you have any extras, let them cool completely after baking. Then place on a cookie sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes. Once they’re hard, place the cookies in a freezer container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove from freezer about 2 hours before enjoying.
Cake Mix Cookie Variations
You can use pretty much any flavor of cake mix to make these cookie flavor combinations. Feel free to add in your favorite add-ins or dip in chocolate. Below are a few of my favorites. I typically prefer duncan hines.
- Red velvet white chocolate chip: If you’re a fan of red velvet cake, you’re going to love these red velvet cake mix cookies! The red velvet flavor is rich and delicious and the white chocolate chips add the perfect sweet touch. Plus the contrast of the red and white colors looks so pretty!
- M&M: You can use yellow or vanilla cake mix for this variation. The M&M’s are fun, colorful and add a delicious hint of chocolate. You could also make these with chocolate cake mix as well. Both versions are delicious. My kids love these!
- Devil’s food with Rolo’s: If you’re a chocolate lover, these Rolo cookies are perfect for you! The chocolate flavor paired with the gooey caramel inside is a match made in heaven! The Rolo in the middle is such a nice surprise.
- Chocolate-dipped strawberry: I made a version of these strawberry cookies for Valentine’s Day and they were so festive and delicious! Use a strawberry cake mix. They are super soft, full of strawberry flavor and best of all dipped in chocolate!
- Butter cookies: An easy variation of a butter cookie, gooey butter cookies are made with vanilla or white cake mixes, butter, powdered sugar, and cream cheese!
- Frosting: These also taste amazing with buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting on top.
- Chocolate chips: Add in semi-sweet, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips or chopped dark chocolate to a yellow or chocolate cake mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are cookies that come together by modifying the ingredients on the box of a cake mix. You only need 3 simple ingredients.
Aside from endless cookie options, you can also make brownies, cake mix cookie bars and cake mix pumpkin muffins.
I love to add in different mix-in’s such as chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, m&m’s or chopped oreos.
Yes, in this cake mix cookie recipe you don’t need any flour or additional baking agents.
More Cake Mix Cookies
- Lemon cake mix cookies – Fresh lemon flavor with a powdered sugar top
- Funfetti cookies – Full of sprinkles and that classic cake batter flavor
- Cake mix pumpkin cookies – Soft and flavorful with chocolate chips!
- Spice cookies – The perfect spice flavor for fall
- Snickerdoodle cake mix cookies – A classic holiday favorite made easy
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Cake Mix Cookie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box cake mix
- ½ scant cup vegetable oil , or 7 TB melted butter
- 2 large eggs
Optional Mix-in’s: Chocolate chips, M&M’s, Rolo's, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir the cake mix, oil, and eggs until combined. If you have time, refrigerate the dough 15 to 20 minutes (it will make it a little easier to work with, since it is sticky).
- Using a medium scoop or spoon, scoop the dough onto the baking sheet. Top with additional toppings, if desired. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are set. You don’t want them to brown.
- Let cool a couple minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack. Store in a covered container up to 3 days.
Notes
- Red velvet white chocolate chip: If you’re a fan of red velvet cake, you’re going to love this version! Use a red velvet cake mix and mix in 1 cup of white chocolate chips.
- M&M: You can use white or yellow cake mix for this variation. Mix in 1 cup M&M’s.
- Devil’s food with Rolo’s: If you’re a chocolate lover, these Rolo cookies are perfect for you!
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Cake Mix Cookies, Cookies, Desserts, Reader Favorites, White Chocolate Cookies
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
How far ahead of time can I make this/ how long will these last?
The cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Is there an egg substitute?
I have not tried an egg substitute, let me know if you try one out!
I love these cookies-so easy to make whatever flavor you’re wanting and the add-ins make them even better!! Thanks for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert!
You are so welcome, Tara! We love mixing up the add-in’s too :)
I LOVE this recipe! It’s my go to when I need a quick dessert for family dinners. I also love all the combinations, and 3 ingredients?! Who can beat that?
Exactly! So glad these cookies are your go-to recipe, Melinda :)
Love making cookies from cake mix! Can I add fresh blueberries?
I don’t see why not! Just gently fold them in after mixing the batter :)
I just made this recipe with oreo cake mix and it turned out great! I added a thin layer of vanilla frosting ontop of some of them and my kiddos absolutely loved them. Thank you. You always have the BEST recipes.
This sounds DELICIOUS! I’m going to have to try the Oreo version ASAP :)
These turned out great! The helpful too about baking them just until they are “set” made all the difference.
I’m so glad it helped! Definitely keeps them soft and delicious :)
How do I stop the cookie mix from spreading? I put the mix in the fridge for 30 mins before cooking too. Thanks. Rachel
I would make sure you’re not over mixing. Also, continue to chill the dough and make sure to bake them on a piece of parchment paper. Then when you roll the dough balls out I would make them tall balls and don’t press them down. You could also try freezing the pan with dough balls for 10 minutes before baking.
Do u have to use paracute paper or anything?n could u put iceing and sparkles on them?
Hi Alice, yes I’d recommend lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. And you could absolutely decorate them with icing and sprinkles. Here is my favorite vanilla buttercream recipe that would taste delicious: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/buttercream-frosting-recipe/
These cookies are perfect soft-tops!! So yummy & easy, my family loves them.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! I love how soft the cake mix makes them too :)
Super easy to make and they came out SO delicious!! My kids couldn’t believe that they came from a box!!
I’m so happy to hear that the cookies were a hit with your kids! Thanks for the comment, Jennifer :)
I made strawberry cake mix Cookies for the 1st time with my 3 year old grandson for Valentines Day and the flavor was intense and the family loved them. I plan to make another variation for Easter! Thank you I Heart Naptime aka Jamielyn Nye
So glad you enjoyed them Patty! :D
I teach the Kids Mission lessons at my church and always take something for them as a snack. I took these cookies today and the kids wanted 2nds!
I’m so happy to hear this, Susan! Thanks so much for sharing.
What size cookie pan do I need because I going to make these cookies soon but I need to buy a cookie pan and I don’t know what size I need.
I use a half sheet pan (18×13)
I used this recipe to make mint chocolate chip cookies. And strawberry (just plain). Yummy! Thank you so much.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I thought it was pretty good. I added white chocolate chips in mine and it was absolutely bomb. For perfect cookies I put them in for 9 minutes.
Sounds delicious! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed them! :)
Omg I’m in love I’m literally trying this with every cake mix. Just made the devil’s chocolate cake with chocolate chips they are amazing
Thank you for sharing this trick 😁❤
I’m so happy to hear you have loved them! I love how many options there are with these cookies!
Can I use flax egg substitute in place of real eggs to make them more vegan? I’m more concerned about how they will raise rather than the slight difference in flavor.
Hi Victoria! I’m not familiar with using flax egg substitute so I’m not sure. Let us know how it goes if you give it a try!