Cake mix cookies are the easiest way to bake cookies. These soft and chewy cookies are made with just three simple ingredients and are ready to eat in 20 minutes (no chilling required!). Plus, you can customize them in endless ways by mixing and matching different cake mix flavors with add-ins like chocolate chips, M&M’s, nuts, and sprinkles. They are so much fun to make — and more fun to eat!
Why You'll Love Cake Mix Cookies
- Soft and chewy. One of the best things about cake mix cookies are that they have the best texture — soft, fluffy, and pillowy. These cakey cookies are seriously the best way to transform a box cake mix.
- Quick and easy. Cake mix cookies are also super easy to make with just 3 to 4 ingredients and require no chill time. Which means that you can make the cookie dough, scoop them out and pop into the oven, and enjoy your cookies less than 20 minutes later.
- Completely customizable. You can use this recipe to transform any flavor of cake mix into cookies. Plus, when you consider different kinds of add-ins to include (or not include), then the options truly become endless. We made our three favorite cake mix cookies — double chocolate, red velvet, and M&M.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these easy cake mix cookies, you will need just 3-4 ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- box cake mix - you can use any flavor of cake mix in this recipe. Try vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, carrot cake, funfetti, or lemon.
- eggs
- vegetable oil - feel free to substitute with melted butter.
- add-ins - add-ins are totally optional, and you can add in whatever you’d like. Try chocolate chips, M&M’s, nuts, peanut butter chips, chopped chocolate bars, mini Reese’s pieces, sprinkles, or dried cranberries.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, hand mixer (or stand mixer), cookie scoop, half sheet baking pan, and silicone mat, and wire cooling rack.
How to Make the Best Cake Mix Cookies
- Make the cookie dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and oil. Use a rubber spatula and stir together until combined. You can also use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together on low speed. Fold in any extra add-ins if using (such as chocolate chips, M&M's, or nuts), reserving about ¼ cup for the tops.
- Scoop cookies. Line a large half sheet baking pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out the cookie dough, and place it 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Press in the remaining add-ins on top.
- Bake. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, until cookies are set and lightly golden on the edges. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
- How to store: Store cake mix cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- How to freeze: You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- How to freeze cookie dough: If freezing cookie dough, I would suggest scooping them out first and placing on a cookie sheet about 1-inch apart. Then freeze until hard, about 1 hour. Transfer to freezer bags or airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, place the cookie ball on a baking sheet and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, allow the cookies to come to room temperature while the oven is preheating, and bake.
FAQ and Recipe Tips
Can you make this with an 18.25 ounce box of cake mix?
Absolutely. Just increase the oil to ½ cup.
What combinations of cake mix and add-ins go well together?
You can make any combination of cake mix to add-ins that you would like and create something new. Some popular options are:
- Vanilla cake mix - with chocolate chips, M&M’s, or sprinkles.
- Chocolate cake mix - with chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, nuts, chopped chocolate bars, or peanut butter chips.
- Red velvet cake mix - with white chocolate chips.
- Carrot cake mix - with white chocolate chips and/or chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Lemon cake mix - with white chocolate chips.
More Cookie Recipes
- 50 Best Cookie Recipes
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Gingersnaps
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Recipe
Cake Mix Cookies
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cake mix cookies are the easiest cookies to bake with just three simple ingredients in 20 minutes! Mix and match different cake mix flavors and add-ins.
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup add-ins, chocolate chips, M&M’s, and/or nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a large half sheet baking pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and oil. Use a rubber spatula and stir together until combined. You can also use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together on low speed.
- Fold in any extra add-ins if using (such as chocolate chips, M&M's, or nuts), reserving about ¼ cup for the tops.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out the cookie dough, and place it 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Press in the remaining add-ins on top.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, until cookies are set and lightly golden on the edges. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Using a 18.25 ounce box cake mix: Use ½ cup vegetable oil instead.
How to store: Store cake mix cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
How to freeze: You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
How to freeze cookie dough: If freezing cookie dough, I would suggest scooping them out first and placing on a cookie sheet about 1-inch apart. Then freeze until hard, about 1 hour. Transfer to freezer bags or airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, place the cookie ball on a baking sheet and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, allow the cookies to come to room temperature while the oven is preheating, and bake.
Flavor variations:
- Vanilla cake mix - with chocolate chips, M&M’s, or sprinkles.
- Chocolate cake mix - with chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, nuts, chopped chocolate bars, or peanut butter chips.
- Red velvet cake mix - with white chocolate chips.
- Carrot cake mix - with white chocolate chips and/or chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Lemon cake mix - with white chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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Janet Lozon says
Just made these cake mix cookies and they turned out great! I used devils food cake mix then added M&M’s to some and walnuts to some. Taste great and easy peasy! Thanks for the recipe!