If you are looking for a fun, festive, and effortlessly delightful treat to bring a sprinkle of joy to your holiday season, look no further than this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe. Packed with simple ingredients and bursting with color, these cookies are a breeze to whip up and sure to become a holiday favorite for both kids and adults. Their soft, tender texture combined with bursts of sweet vanilla and festive sprinkles make every bite a celebration. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or making cozy memories at home, this recipe offers a joyful twist on classic Christmas baking that you’ll want to share again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients keep things wonderfully simple, but each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect holiday cookie. From the cake mix that provides a soft, cakey base to the red and green sprinkles that instantly brighten up the look, every component works in harmony to build flavor, texture, and that irresistible festive charm.
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix: This forms the soft, fluffy foundation for your cookies and gives them a sweet, tender crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs add richness and bind all the ingredients together for a smooth dough.
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil: A bit of oil keeps the cookies moist and soft without weighing them down.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla injects a warm, comforting flavor that rounds out the sweetness perfectly.
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar: These add vibrant pops of seasonal color and a fun, festive crunch.
- Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s: Adding these mix-ins makes the cookies extra special and offers delightful pockets of sweetness.
How to Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking. Setting yourself up properly at the start makes the whole baking experience smoother and ensures your cookies come out clean and perfect.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir these together until a soft dough forms. You’ll notice a sticky but manageable mixture that is ready for whatever sweet touches you want to add next.
Step 3: Add Festive Mix-Ins
Fold in half of your chosen sprinkles, white chocolate chips, or festive M&M’s right into the dough. This distributes sweetness and seasonal cheer throughout every cookie, making each bite colorful and fun.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough and place them on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Don’t forget to slightly flatten each dough ball — this helps them bake evenly. Then generously sprinkle extra red and green decorations over the tops to give them that perfect holiday look.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. This short baking time is key to maintaining the tender, cakey texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, your festive treats are ready to enjoy or share with loved ones.
How to Serve Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the cookies are charming just as they are, adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can give them an extra touch of elegance. Fresh mint leaves or a cinnamon stick alongside can also add a lovely aromatic appeal perfect for holiday gatherings.
Side Dishes
Pair these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe delights with a warm cup of cocoa, creamy eggnog, or a glass of cold milk to balance sweetness with comfort. They also hold their own on a dessert platter alongside gingerbread or peppermint bark for a festive cookie exchange.
Creative Ways to Present
Package your cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons for thoughtful homemade gifts. Or arrange them on a tiered dessert stand garnished with fresh pine sprigs and holly for a dazzling holiday centerpiece that invites guests to indulge.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cookies left (and who doesn’t?), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature where they will stay soft and fresh for about 3 to 4 days. This ensures your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe joys stay just as wonderful for several days after baking.
Freezing
To enjoy these seasonal treats later, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can keep well frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to re-experience that festive magic, just thaw them gently at room temperature.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a low oven for a few minutes. This revives their soft, cakey texture and melts any chocolate chips to gooey perfection, bringing them back to their freshly baked glory.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor for this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While vanilla or white cake mix is traditional, you can experiment with funfetti, lemon, or even spice cake mixes to add your own twist. Just keep in mind how the flavors will complement your chosen mix-ins and sprinkles.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
It depends on the cake mix you choose. Most conventional cake mixes contain gluten, but you can find gluten-free cake mixes at the store. Just double-check the label before baking if you need to avoid gluten.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This can actually enhance the flavor and make the dough easier to handle. Just bring it slightly to room temperature before scooping and baking.
What if I don’t have sprinkles? Any alternatives?
If you’re out of sprinkles, chopped nuts, colored sugar crystals, or even mini candy canes crushed lightly can add interesting textures and festive colors to your cookies without losing that holiday vibe.
How do I make sure my cookies stay soft?
One key is not to overbake them — pulling them out when edges are set but centers are still soft keeps that cakey tenderness. Storing them properly in airtight containers immediately after cooling also locks in freshness and softness.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to beat the warmth and cheer that come from baking a batch of these delightful Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe during the holidays. They’re simple, colorful, and utterly delicious—a guaranteed way to spread smiles and create sweet memories with those you love. So grab that cake mix and start baking; your festive season just got a whole lot sweeter!
Print
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are a quick and festive treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with a simple white or vanilla cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, they’re easy to prepare and decorated with colorful red and green sprinkles, white chocolate chips, or festive M&M’s. Soft in the center with slightly crisp edges, these cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday cookie platter or gift basket.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar
- Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir together until a soft dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in half of the red and green sprinkles along with the white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s if using. This will add bursts of color and flavor inside your cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Decorate: Slightly flatten each dough ball with your hand or the back of a spoon, then sprinkle extra red and green sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes. The edges should be set and lightly golden while the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without breaking.
- Serve or Gift: Once cooled, enjoy these festive cookies immediately or package them as charming holiday gifts for friends and family.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, bake closer to 9 minutes; for crisper cookies, leave in for the full 11 minutes.
- Experiment with different cake mix flavors such as funfetti or chocolate for variety.
- If you don’t have festive sprinkles, plain colored sugar or regular sprinkles will work just as well.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To keep cookies fresh longer, freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
