Boy, do I have a treat for you today! :-) What would you think about a soft, cake-like cookie that requires only three ingredients to make, AND that can be ready to eat in under 30 minutes? If you’re anything like me, you might be skeptical that such a cookie exists, yet intrigued enough to learn more. (I admit it—I have treat-based trust issues! I’ve been burned before by recipes that sounded amazing, but never lived up to the hype.)
But I swear on my honor that these particular cookies are the real deal! They’re called cake mix cookies, because (you guessed it!) you make them using boxed cake mix. The resulting cookies are so soft and chewy, you might have a hard time putting them down! And you can use any cake mix you like to make these cookies, so the possibilities are almost endless!
Related: How To Make The Ultimate Quick And Easy Dessert
First, I’ll show you exactly how to make these cake mix cookies. (Spoiler alert: it couldn’t possibly be any easier.) After that, I’ll share 5 different tasty flavor combinations that you can try out at your leisure. By the end of this post, you’ll understand exactly why these versatile cookies are quickly becoming the new favorite at our house! :-)
How To Make Cake Mix Cookies
Add cake mix, butter, and eggs to a mixing bowl. Stir until they come together to form a dough. Drop the dough in rounded tablespoons onto a greased or lined baking sheet.
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes at 350°F.
Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
5 Delicious Cake Mix Cookies To Try
1. Sandwich Cookies
This is less of a cookie variety and more of a method, but I’m including it anyway! Sandwich cookies are like Oreos—two cookies with a layer of icing in the center. You can use any cake mix for the cookies and any flavor of icing. There are endless ways to mix and match flavors into delicious combinations! Here are a couple of tasty combos to get you inspired:
- Red Velvet: We whipped up a batch of cake mix cookies using a red velvet cake mix. For the icing “filling,” we chose a cream cheese frosting. The results were absolutely delicious!
- Homemade Oreos: Use a chocolate or devil’s food cake mix to make the cookies, and sandwich them together with vanilla icing. It’s a tasty ode to the most famous sandwich cookie of all!
2. Birthday Cookies
Use funfetti cake mix to whip up a batch of celebratory birthday cookies! (You can also use a white cake mix with 3 tablespoons of sprinkles mixed in instead. The results are very similar either way!)
3. Caramel Surprise Cookies
Use a devil’s food cake mix to prepare a batch of cake mix cookie dough. While you’re portioning out the dough, press one Rolo into the center of each ball of cookie dough. The melted chocolate and caramel in these cookies makes for a sweet surprise!
4. Snickerdoodle Cookies
Use a spice cake mix (or yellow cake) to make your dough. Before baking, roll each ball of cookie dough in a shallow dish of cinnamon sugar. Yum!
- Lemon Crinkle: Use a similar method to make tangy lemon crinkle cookies! Use a lemon cake mix to make your dough, then roll the balls in a layer of powdered sugar before baking.
5. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
These seasonal favorites are made with a spice cake mix, but the ingredients are slightly different than the other cake mix cookies. Check out the full recipe at the link below!
Related: How To Make The Best Pumpkin Cookies Ever With Only 3 Ingredients
What type of cake mix would you choose to use in these cookies?
More Ideas You'll Love
Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cake box mix (the dry mix only, don’t add any of the ingredients listed on the box)
- 1 stick melted butter
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Add the cake mix, butter, and eggs to a mixing bowl. Stir until they come together to form a dough.
- Drop the dough in rounded tablespoons onto a greased or lined baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes at 350°F.
- Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
I used the spice cake mix and did the Snicker Doodle cookies. They were really good! My husband really liked them. So EASY to make, from start to finish, was well less than an hour. Will be making these again. Thanks Jillee, we appreciate all your efforts.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad you liked them!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for sharing this. Made two (strawberry and triple chocolate) batches in less than an hour. Just in time for my grandsons (ages five and three) to enjoy and share with their new friends on the bleachers at the gym.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Perfect!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for the post, Jillee. I love the twists on a simple and easy recipe. I can’t wait to try them, and my husband is more excited than I am. lol
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Enjoy! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These came out very good! I used devil’s food mix and added chopped pecans, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips for added interest and flavor. Great to make at the last minute or if you’re running low on a regular cookie ingredient. Excellent way to use a box mix up when it’s about to reach it’s expiration date and you don’t want a whole cake. Looking forward to experimenting with other flavors!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I put all my cake mixes in my freezer and if they reach the expiration date before used, they are still good, having been in the freezer does NOT harm them, they bake up just like you just brought them home from the store. Have been doing this for years. Freezing works for soooo many foods; breads, flour, cornmeal, cookies, cakes, snack cakes, chips, pastas, spices, coconut, chocolate chips, pecans, and on and on.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is a great tip Gail!
Gail, I have been doing the same thing…and it also keeps out any kind of weavil that might be looking for a home….I never have to toss anything as the freezer preserves them all….Matter of fact, just bought some 1 lb. bags of pecans and walnuts at a local store. They had them on sale,, 2 bags for $5.00..Bought 4 bags, wish I had gotten more and immediately put them in freezer…I use all sorts of nuts year round. Love to look for sales closeout etc…Happy New Year to all!!
Sounds delicious!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Some cake mixes contain a lot of artificial ingredients like colors, flavorings, propylene gycol and other sweeteners. There are cake mixes that contain none of those – even some store brands. It’s worth it to do some ingredient list reading before buying.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I only look at your site occasionally. I get your emails though. I was intrigued by today’s email and decided to check it out. I like the idea of making cookies out of cake mix. I did not see how many eggs or how much butter to put in. I assumed 2 eggs because that’s what I saw in the pictures. I had to go to another web site to find out it was 1/2 cup butter.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Karen – I am so sorry for this!! I accidentally left out the instructions! I have since updated the post, and I am truly sorry for the hassle!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.♥
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee added a printable recipe box for the ingredients and instructions at the bottom of the post. It is just the basic mix, none of the variations she lists though. There is a program/app you can use so that when you open a blog the recipe comes up on top. This helps with the sites that use a mile of scrolling and pictures before the printable recipe box. It also lets you quickly decide if you may like the recipe before spending 10 minutes looking through the post. (looking for last minute dinner ideas:) Jillee has helpful pics, but only what is necessary. Some have 10 pics of the finished dish sprinkled throughout the post.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Did I miss the ingredients to add to the cake mix?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so sorry Anna! I had accidentally left out the ingredients – but you can find them now!! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These look yummy. I’ve done the pumpkin cake mis cookies. This was long before I saw it on Jillees site. I actually submitted for a cookbook and it got published. My mom has a red velvet cookie using the mix- I think it has white chocolate chips and she adds a fancy brand of powdered cocoa.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My version: cake mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup real butter. Nuts. Choc Chips. 1/4 to 1/3 cup oatmeal. I had a recipe that called for about 1/2 cup pumpkin to replace the eggs.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can also use approx 1 cup of applesauce instead of an egg or a banana and really does not change the flavor…Just made applesauce bars with cake mix and OMG pumpkin cookies with nuts and cranberries. YUMMY
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would love to try these. Why aren’t the ingredients and directions given? Makes to sense and a bit frustrating.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am so sorry Marleen – I have added the ingredients now. I’m so sorry for the frustration!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just may try these. I love gobs I buy from my local grocery. They have the most delicious icing in the middle. I like the idea of Red velvet gobs. By the way Jillee, wanted to let you know I made the pretzel dessert for Christmas. It turned out perfectly. Made a double recipe. Everyone loved it. I could never make it before my pretzels always got soggy until I read your tips. I used a strawberry, blueberry and raspberry blend. So delicious! Thanks for your tips!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad! That sounds delicious! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How much of the ingredients do we use? I do not see it posted any where unless I am missing it??
Please log in or create a free account to comment.They have been added now, so sorry for the hassle Gina!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been making these for 30 years. I take any cake mix, add 1/3 cup oil, 2 eggs and whatever flavor of extract you like. Plop down and bake at 375 for about 10-12 minutes. You can also add things like chocolate chips and nuts!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Paula is right, there are no amounts so no idea how much to use. Years ago I used to make a German chocolate cookie out of the German chocolate cake mix. It called for 1 box German chocolate cake mix, 1 box coconut almond frosting mix (which I haven’t seen in years), 1/3 cup oil. 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 tablespoon water. Make the frosting as directed, set aside.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In another bowl mix all ingredients together then add a little less than 1/2 of the frosting, mix well. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until done, but center should be soft. Cool and frost with other half of frosting. For a bigger treat put a thin slice of strawberry on cookie then frost. Yum!
Might try using those amounts and try the Red Velvet cookies. Those looked good.
Are you saying to mix the cake mix as directed on the package?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No – I just forget to include the ingredients! Oops! I am so sorry Jinx! The post has been updated :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve never seen a cake mix that calls for butter, oil yes, but not butter, so you’re not just using the items on box recipe to finish….. In your post it doesn’t specify how much butter or # of eggs you use, just that you mix them with the cake mix into a dough. So what amounts do you use? Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So sorry Paula! I had accidentally left out the ingredients – but they’ve been added now :-)
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