Cake Mix Cookies
2 Comments
Posted: 08/16/23
Updated: 08/17/23
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Craving homemade cookies without the fuss? Cake Mix Cookies to the rescue! Just grab your favorite cake mix, add a few simple ingredients, and voila! Soft, chewy cookies that are quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious.
Cake mix cookies are by far one of the easiest desserts out there! These four ingredient cookies can be thrown together in a snap. So if you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to be in the kitchen for a long time, these should be a go-to.
These easy cake mix cookies are chewy, soft, and absolutely melt-in-your-mouth. My secret ingredient to a perfectly moist cookie? Unsweetened applesauce! It is the key to making these cookies the most perfect texture.
Plus, they are so much fun to make for different holidays and times of the year. I make Christmas cake mix cookies in December, celebrate patriotic holidays with 4th of July Cookies, and I’ve got a chocolate cake mix cookie that will cure all chocolate cravings! Truly the most simple, yet delicious, way to make a cookie.
Why You’ll Love Cake Mix Cookies
- These easy cookies are a fabulous shareable treat that you can make when hosting guests or when you’re in charge of dessert for a potluck!
- It only takes 14 minutes to make one and a half dozen cookies. You read that right, just 14 minutes! Isn’t that great?
- This recipe is easily adaptable. You can adjust the type of cake mix and sprinkles you use to make any kind of cookie you want. Answer that cookie craving with this tasty recipe!
Ingredients Needed for this Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Cake mix – This recipe uses white or yellow cake mix, but you’re not bound to just those two options. Use whichever type of mix you want.
- Applesauce – My best kept secret, and now I’m sharing it with you. Unsweetened applesauce is the magic ingredient to make the most perfect moist cookies you’ve ever tasted.
- Oil – You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other cooking oil that has a mild flavor. Use melted butter if you prefer not to use oil.
- Sprinkles – Multi-color sprinkles with white cake mix makes for a pretty funfetti cookie. Use themed sprinkles to fit a party theme or holiday, or grab any other sprinkles that you think might be fun.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Cake Mix Cookies
- First things first. Move the oven rack to the middle position in your oven before preheating it. This will help the cookies bake more evenly and not burn. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a clean baking sheet with parchment paper and set it to the side.
- Then, mix together the cake mix, canola oil, and applesauce in a large bowl. Combine until there are no streaks of flour remaining.
- Stir your choice of sprinkles into the batter until just combined.
- Then, using a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the previously prepared baking sheet.
- Place the pan of cake mix cookies into the preheated oven and bake for 7-9 minutes, until set. They will be slightly golden around the edges.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for one minute, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- Serve when ready, and don’t store leftovers until they are fully cooled.
How To Store Leftover Cake Mix Cookies
Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
FRIDGE: It isn’t necessary to store cookies in the fridge, but they tend to last a little longer. Place them in an airtight container or zip top bag and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
FREEZER: These cookies actually freeze really well too! If kept in a freezer bag or airtight container, they’ll be good for about 2 months in the freezer.
What other flavors of cake mix cookies can I make?
You don’t have to make yellow cake mix cookies with sprinkles. There are so many ways to adapt the recipe!
Make some lemon cookies by using lemon cake mix. Or switch the cake mix to a flavor like strawberry or chocolate and change up the sprinkles. There are so many different options, so have fun with it! The recipe and method will work for most cake mixes.
What add-ins can I use other than sprinkles?
Sprinkles are always fun, but there are many other yummy add-ins you can put in your easy cake mix cookies. Chocolate chips of all varieties, white chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, and milk chocolate are all perfect in this recipe.
Chopped nuts add a great crunchy texture to a soft cookie, and candy like M&M’s would create a fun twist on Monster cookies. Make a snickerdoodle dupe by adding cinnamon to white or yellow cake mix! So many delicious ideas.
Pro Tips!
- Don’t use a stand mixer. It may be easier, but this recipe doesn’t need it. In fact, the less you mix the batter the better the cookies will turn out.
- It can be tempting to over-bake these cookies, but trust the time written on the recipe. The cookies may be a little soft while warm, but once they cool they’ll be the perfect texture.
- Add extra flavor by topping your cookies with frosting. Either homemade or store-bought, both are tasty!
Make some easy cake mix cookies whenever you need a quick dessert. They’ve never failed me!
More Easy Desserts You’ll Love
- I’ve officially found an easier way to serve cake. Check out my Carrot Cake Bars! The best dessert to serve with ease.
- Craving s’mores? No need to build a campfire when you can make S’mores Bark right in your own kitchen in just 20 minutes.
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a great make-ahead dessert since it needs about 2 hours to set in the fridge.
- Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies are like a crunchy Reese’s ball…they’re so good!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Cake Mix Cookies
Cake Mix Cookies are a delightful shortcut to homemade goodness. With a box of cake mix and a handful of pantry staples, you can get soft, chewy cookie.
cookie
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix (1 box)
- ½ cup canola oil
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Move the oven rack to the middle position, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, canola oil, and applesauce until no streaks of flour remain.
- Stir in sprinkles until just combined.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Place cookies in preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until set. Allow the cookies to cool for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Tips
Leftover cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
FRIDGE: It isn’t necessary to store cookies in the fridge, but they tend to last a little longer. Place them in an airtight container or zip top bag and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
FREEZER: These cookies actually freeze really well too! If kept in a freezer bag or airtight container, they’ll be good for about 2 months in the freezer.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 156kcal (8%), Carbohydrates: 23g (8%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 7g (11%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 175mg (8%), Potassium: 16mg, Fiber: 0.4g (2%), Sugar: 13g (14%), Vitamin A: 2IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 51mg (5%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Mary Meyer says
I do have a quick question..the recipe calls for canola oil. I didn’t have canola oil so used good ole vegetable oil. But I’m wondering if coconut oil could be used instead? Please let me know. These cookies are wonderful and so easy!! My kind of recipe ☺️ My adult sons and my grandchildren love them!
Sarah Hill says
Coconut and canola oil will act pretty similar in this recipe. If your coconut oil is not refined, you will definitely have more of a coconut taste! I’m so glad you and your family are enjoying these!