If you’ve ever dreamed of baking up a tray of festive cookies without the fuss of measuring flour and sugar, these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies will become your new holiday obsession. With their soft, chewy centers, bursts of bright holiday color, and irresistible vanilla aroma, they bring all the joy of homemade cookies with a little shortcut magic. These easy treats turn a simple box of cake mix into a party-ready platter of cookies that look stunning and taste like pure Christmas cheer.

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I absolutely love about Cake Mix Christmas Cookies is how a handful of humble, familiar ingredients can create such colorful, crowd-pleasing results. Every component plays its part—whether adding fluffiness, richness, or an explosion of festive color—making these cookies taste like the holidays in every bite.

Vanilla or white cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): This shortcut classic gives your cookies their signature soft crumb and gentle sweetness.
Large eggs (2): Eggs bring moisture and binding power, making the dough smooth and easy to handle.
Vegetable oil (1/2 cup): Oil keeps the cookies supremely tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A little vanilla deepens the bakery-fresh aroma and flavor.
Red and green sprinkles or holiday M&M’s (1/2 cup): For pops of color and a fun, festive twist in every bite.
Almond extract (optional, 1/4 teaspoon): Just a hint adds subtle holiday warmth—highly recommended!

How to Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Start by setting the mood: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This little step makes cleanup a breeze and guarantees your cookies won’t stick to the pan, keeping their edges perfectly soft.

Step 2: Mix Up the Dough

Grab your largest mixing bowl and add the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. If you’re using almond extract, toss it in too. Stir everything together just until it forms a smooth, soft dough—don’t overmix, or your cookies won’t be as tender.

Step 3: Add the Festive Flair

This is my favorite part! Gently fold in the sprinkles or M&M’s so every scoop of dough gets a good mix of color and crunch. If you love variety, try a blend of both for extra texture and flavor.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough and drop it onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing the blobs about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. Pop them in the oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes—just until the edges set but the centers still look soft. That tenderness means gooey, chewy cookies later!

Step 5: Cool and Devour

Let your cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This short wait helps them firm up just enough to handle without falling apart (and makes sneaking a warm cookie so much more rewarding).

How to Serve Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Garnishes

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are practically made for creativity—finish them with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar for classic crinkle-cookie charm, or drizzle each one with a bit of melted white chocolate and a sprinkle of extra colored sugar for festive sparkle.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa, fresh apple cider, or a creamy eggnog. Set out a plate of sliced oranges or a bowl of mixed nuts for a nibbling contrast at your holiday dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies in a decorative tin lined with tissue paper, or stack them in cellophane bags tied with a colorful ribbon for easy gifts. Try building a cookie tower on a fancy cake stand, or tuck a few into everyone’s place setting at the holiday dinner table for an edible surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They’ll stay soft and chewy, especially if you slip a slice of sandwich bread into the container (the cookies borrow a little humidity and stay fresh longer!).

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze Cake Mix Christmas Cookies! Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, layering parchment between stacks to prevent sticking. They keep beautifully for up to three months—just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you love a warm cookie, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave brings back that just-baked magic. For larger batches, reheat cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 3–4 minutes to refresh their texture.

FAQs

Can I use different flavors of cake mix?

Absolutely! While vanilla or white cake mix is a classic for Cake Mix Christmas Cookies, you can swap in chocolate, red velvet, or even spice cake mix to change up the flavors and colors for a different holiday vibe.

How do I get perfectly round cookies?

For extra-uniform cookies, roll the dough into balls with your hands before placing them on the baking sheet. If you want that bakery-style look, top each dough ball with a few extra M&M’s or sprinkles right before baking.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can mix the dough, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before scooping and baking. Chilled dough is even easier to handle and may help the cookies hold their shape a bit better.

What’s the best way to prevent cookies from overbaking?

Watch the cookies closely during the last few minutes; pull them out when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll finish setting up as they cool, resulting in soft, chewy centers.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Definitely! Just use your favorite gluten-free cake mix, and double-check that your sprinkles or add-ins are gluten-free as well—everyone should get to enjoy the holiday fun!

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for the ultimate quick-and-festive holiday treat, give Cake Mix Christmas Cookies a whirl. With their simple prep, colorful flair, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they never fail to make the season feel a little brighter. Get ready for your cookie plate to disappear in a flash!

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are a quick and easy way to whip up a batch of festive treats for the holiday season. Using a simple cake mix base, these cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with colorful sprinkles or M&M’s.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Extras:

1/2 cup red and green sprinkles or holiday M&M’s

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Add Sprinkles: Fold in the holiday sprinkles or M&M’s.
Bake: Scoop dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are set and centers are soft.
Cool: Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a crinkle cookie look, roll dough balls in powdered sugar before baking.
Experiment with different cake mix flavors like chocolate, red velvet, or spice.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American