How to make cookies from cake mix – the ultimate guide! Craving for cookies, but don’t feel like baking them from scratch? Worry not, with my simple tutorial learn how to make cookies from cake mix – you can try any flavor combination you want!
How to Make Cake Mix Cookies
We make a lot of cake mix cookies around here. Besides being super delicious, they’re super easy to make. And since I have a 4 year old who loves to bake, I taught her how to make cookies from a cake mix, under my supervision. The most fun thing about cake mix cookies is that you can make any combination of cookie flavors – sort of like an infinite combination of cookies – isn’t that a wonderful thing?
Watch this video on how to make Cake Mix Cookies (get the recipe here: Strawberry Chewy Cake Mix Cookies)
Pictured today are White Cake Mix Cookies which I made way back in January for my daughter’s birthday. Aren’t they super cute with those colorful stars? My daughter loved them!
So, just how do you make cookies with cake mix?
I mean, after all, it’s a cake mix and isn’t that meant to make cakes? Well, yes, but by altering the add on ingredients a bit, you can make soft chewy cookies!
The general ratio that’s used to make cookies from cake mix is: 1 boxed cake mix + 1/2 cup vegetable oil + 2 large eggs.
Super Important Note: Only the dry cake mix is required for cake mix cookies…do not use the ingredients listed on the back of the cake mix box.
Can you Refrigerate Cake Mix Cookie Dough?
- Yes! In fact, the cake mix cookie batter is so soft, that I prefer to chill it for at least 1 hour. This makes it easier to scoop out the cookies onto the baking tray, and it also reduces the spreading of cookies.
Tips for Making Cookies from Cake Mix:
- Do not over mix the cookie batter!
- As mentioned above, it’s better to chill the cake mix cookie dough, as the dough is so soft that its sometimes a little tricky to scoop it out right after mixing the cookie batter. Also, chilled cookie batter means less spreading of the cookies in the oven. You can also make the cookie dough and chill it in the fridge up to 3-4 days.
- I also use silicone baking mat to bake cake mix cookies because it helps to reduce spreading of the cookies. You may also use parchment paper.
- Do not over bake these cookies!! I learnt this the hard way. Cake make cookies are still very very soft when they’re supposed to be taken out of the oven. They keep baking from the residual heat of the baking sheet. I once over baked the cookies and they became so hard an hour later on – and that’s a no no in the cookie world!
So just How Do You Know a Cookie is Done?
- With cookies every minute counts, and remember that cookies continue cooking from the residual heat of the baking sheet. So even when they’re out of the oven, they’ll keep cooking for the next few minutes.
- Cookies are done when the edges are a light golden brown and the middle is still soft and squishy.
- Another handy trick to know if cookies are done is by touching the edge of the cookies, if it is firm then the cookies are done. If the edges are still soft then it means the cookies need a little longer in the oven.
- With cake mix cookies, once the edges have set, its time to take them out. They’ll look very under baked but trust in the Cookie Gods, and let them sit on the baking sheet. They’ll become firmer but won’t become hard.
Check out below for the basic recipe for cake make cookies, and a collection of delicious cake mix cookies!
Enjoy the cookieliciousness! 🙂
Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix (dry ingredients only)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup mix ins
Instructions
- In a bowl mix together the cake mix, vegetable oil and eggs. Then gently fold in the mix ins. The cookies pictured above are made from white cake mix and I used the colorful star sprinkles as the mix in.
- Chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes to 1 hour (or upto 4 days). This is an optional step, but I've noticed that the chilled cookie dough is easier to scoop out and also it allows the cookies to spread less while baking.
- Once ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Note: the silicone baking mat helps in less spreading of the cookies.
- Scoop out the cookie dough and bake for about 10-12 minutes. The cookies are ready to be taken out of the oven when the edges are slightly firm but the middle is still soft and squishy.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack.
- Cake mix cookies can be stored up to 1 week in an airtight container.
PIN HERE!
How to Make Cake Mix Cookies from Different Cake Mix Flavors
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
These pretty Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are super easy and delicious. They’re also perfect for Valentine’s Day!
4th of July Cake Mix Cookies
These 4th of July Cake Mix Cookies are a perfect and beautiful treat for all 4th of July festivities. And the buttercream frosting is an added delicious bonus!
Spring Cake Mix Cookies
How cute are these Spring Cake Mix Cookies? These cookies are perfect to make with little kids!
Chewy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
These Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies with chocolate chips are perfect for making with toddlers…not to mention how sweet and delicious they are! 🙂
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
Chocolate and peanut butter is a combination made in heaven…I bet these cookies would be popular with everyone!
Carrot Cake Mix Cookies
Super delicious Carrot Cake Mix Cookies are perfect for Easter celebrations!
Brownie Mix Cookies
We all love brownies right? And we all love cookies right? Well I just made you a brownie mix cookie recipe, you’re welcome! 😀
Oreo Stuffed Cookies
Oreos stuffed inside easy cake mix cookies…ummm…welcome to heaven! 😀
Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies
These Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies are an easy and beautiful treat for winter festivities!
Mint Chip Cake Box Cookies
If you’re a fan of chocolate and mint, then this Mint Chip Cake Box Cookies are definitely for you!
PIN HERE!
Using cake mix is a great hack for quick cookies! Thanks for all the fab tips.
Glad you liked the tips 🙂
I’ve never used cake mix before. Cakes are so easy to make so I’ve always been suspicious of it, but these cookies look oh so good and perfect for a beginner too. You are swaying me!
You will love them once you try cake mix cookies! 🙂
This is such a useful post! The cookies look absolutely gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Chris! 🙂
I’ve never made cookies with cake mix before, but I clearly need to try! These look fantastic and super fun! Love those colourful sprinkles! A stack of those and a cold glass of milk and I’m set 🙂
This is absolutely fantastic! So YUMMY! I bet those flavors are amazing! Cannot wait to try this! Love! Thank you
I love short cut recipes! When my kids were small, I made it a point to include them in the kitchen cooking and baking adventures. It’s important to start them off early with those skills. before they think it’s uncool! LOL
Wow, cookies using cake mix – now that sounds very convenient and the cookies look delicious with the add ins. My 5 year old helps me bake and these cookies will be perfect to bake with her.
Such a great idea for a semi-homemade cookie using cake mix. Loving the packaging too! Pinned for later!
we love these cookies and make them a LOT. I love how easy they come together and I feel like they’re almost “homemade”
These are adorable cookies, and I love the shortcut of using the cake mix! This will make it so easy to whip up a batch to take to the office this week for a birthday party!
I use cake mixes for cookie bake day at Christmas and you have some splendid ideas here. Thanks for sharing this cant wait to try some of these .
We’ve been making cookies from cake mixes for years. They are a great way to make a variety of cookies without having to invest in lots of different ingredients. I think it’s great that you’re teaching your four-year-old to bake. I remember being in the kitchen with my mamma and she would give me little chores to do. You have some terrific tips here. And the way you decorated the cookies are so cute.
Making cookies from cake mix is brilliant! I love your tips and tricks, I can’t wait to give this a go!
This is some super helpful info! I love to make cake mix cookies!
Great tips! Cake Mix Cookies are so easy to make and are so versatile. Perfect cookies every time and you can customize your flavors.
I’ve heard of using cake mix to make cookies before but have never tried it. These cookies look and sound exactly like how I LOVE cookies – crisp edges with a chewy center. Definitely going to be making these with my boys this summer!
What size cake mix did you use?