Cake Box Cookies

4.41 from 30 votes

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Incredibly soft, these 4 Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies are an easy recipe to make and even easier to eat! Cookies from Cake Mix? That’s right!! Just 4 ingredients needed to whip up a batch with endless flavor combinations. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to these cookies! Delicious with crockpot hot chocolate or eggnog for the holidays!

cake mix cookies on a serving platter

Cookies From Cake Mix

One of the fastest and easiest ways to make homemade cookies is by making them with cake mix. Hello, quick and easy dessert! If you find cake mix flavors you love, you can turn them into cake mix cookies with this simple, basic method.

What you’ll need for Cake Mix Cookies:

Believe it or not, these chewy cookies only require 4 ingredients! And it’s an easy enough recipe to make with your kids (don’t worry cake mix is VERY forgiving). Here’s what you need:

  • Cake Mix – this contains all of the dry ingredients needed to make these cookies. More about cake mix in the next section!
  • Eggs – used for structure! Without eggs, the cookies would spread like crazy!
  • Oil – this is mainly for moisture. Any light-colored oil will work here (canola oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, etc.). Oil is also our secret weapon for soft cookies. Melted butter also works in a pinch.
  • Vanilla Extract – this is for a little extra flavor that helps these cookies taste homemade. It’s optional, but I think makes a difference.

These are the basic ingredients to make these easy cookies but I’ve also come up with different flavor combinations you can find below.

Customizing Your Cake Cookies

One of the best parts about making Cake Mix Cookies is customizing them! You can do this by changing the cake mix flavor and/or adding mix-ins!

Cake Mix Options for your Cake Box Cookies

Any flavor of cake mix will do to make these cake mix cookies! I stuck to the Betty Crocker 15.25 oz boxes and as you can see above, I bought three different flavors of cake mixes.  A basic plain white cake mix, rainbow chip cake mix, and chocolate cake mix! As long as you’re using a 15.25 oz box of cake mix, this recipe will work perfectly, regardless of flavor. Here are the common flavors I have found in local grocery stores in my area.

  • lemon
  • red velvet
  • carrot cake
  • spice cake
  • strawberry
  • funfetti
  • german chocolate
  • butter pecan
  • yellow
  • vanilla
  • cherry chip
  • dark chocolate

The sky is almost the limit when it comes to adding in different items to make your cookies special and just the way you like them. Lots of chocolates, sprinkles, nuts and goodies to choose from. If using add-ins, I typically say measure with your heart, but if you want an exact measurement, I use between 3/4 cup to 1 cup.

  • chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark)
  • white chocolate chips
  • peanut butter chips
  • butterscotch chips
  • chopped candy bars (butterfingers, dark chocolate, twix, snickers, reese’s cups)
  • reese’s pieces
  • m&m’s (plain, peanut, peanut butter, mini)
  • sprinkles (use different colors to fit an occasion. Red, white, and blue for Independence Day or green, and red for Christmas, red and white for Valentine’s Day)
  • nuts (almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts, etc.)
  • coconut shreds
  • citrus zest (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit)
  • dried fruit (strawberry, raspberries, blueberries, apricot)
  • mini marshmallows
  • chopped graham crackers
  • chopped candy canes
  • pumpkin spice + cinnamon
cake mix cookies

How to Make Cookies from Cake Mix

There is no need for the creaming method for these Cake Mix Cookies! Simply dump all the ingredients into a bowl and mix away. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl and mix out all of the lumps, though a few small lumps are totally fine! For full recipe details check out the printable recipe card down below!

Preheat Your Oven + Prep Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Line two light colored baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, stir the dry cake mix together with 1/3 cup oil, eggs and vanilla extract. This is where you can mix in your add-ins to the cake batter. (See notes above about add-ins.)

With a cookie scoop, scoop, and drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

Bake + Cool Your Cookies

Place into your preheated oven and bake 8-10 minutes or until they have puffed up and edges are barely brown. You aren’t going for browned cookies, they should look matte (not shiny) and a little crackly on top.

Leave on the baking pan for a few minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

Flavor Combinations for Cake Mix Cookies

Need a little more guidance for these extremely versatile cookies? I’ve got you covered! Try out these cake mix cookies:

  • S’mores – add a mixture of chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and chopped graham crackers to white cake mix for summer-worthy S’mores cookies!
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter – use chocolate cake mix with peanut butter chips for this classic flavor combo. Reese’s Pieces is also a good peanut butter choice.
  • Almond Joy – combine toasted chopped almonds, coconut shreds, and chocolate chips with either chocolate or white cake mix.
  • Lemon – for a lemon overload use a lemon cake mix and add in lemon zest!
  • Carrot Cake – use carrot cake mix and add white chocolate chips. Or consider making cookie sandwiches with cream cheese frosting in between.
  • Berry Cookies – mix dried fruit, any sort of chocolate chips, and cake mix together. Think of a chocolate cookie with dried strawberries and white chocolate chips in it, so pretty!

Cake Cookies Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to 3 days. Because cookies store well, these are a great dessert to make ahead.

cake mix cookies stacked on a plate

Pro Tip: Want to keep cookies soft? Store cookies with a piece of bread in it for up to 3 days. The cookies absorb the moisture from the bread.

Cake Mix Cookies Recipe FAQs

Can I add instant pudding mix into the cookies?

If you’re using a Betty Crocker cake mix that says “Super Moist”, it already has pudding mix in there. If not, you can add a small box of pudding. It will add to the flavor, moistness and be a more dense texture.

What if I’m using a cake mix that only uses water. Do I still at eggs and oil or no because it’s already in the mix.

I would say no, because it’s already in the mix. However, I can’t say for sure because I haven’t made them that way.

Can I freeze these?

Yes! If you want to freeze these cookies after baking, I would suggest allowing them to cool completely to room temperature before placing in an airtight container or resealable bag. Cookies should stay fresh in the freezer for 2-3 months.

If you want to freeze the dough, you could roll out into balls and place on a cookie sheet and into the freezer until frozen (this keeps them from sticking together), then transfer to a container or bag for storage in the freezer.

Can I use a different oil or applesauce in place of vegetable oil?

As long as it’s a lightly colored and flavored oil, it’ll work just fine. I’ve never tried it with applesauce, but you are welcome to try. The texture is what would most likely suffer. You can also use melted butter in place of oil if you’re in a pinch.

red velvet cake mix cookie in a woman's hand

More like these Cake Box Cookies

If you loved this recipe, you’re going to love all of my other cookie recipes! Here are a couple of my favorite recipes to try first:

More Favorites from Lauren’s Latest

Experiment away friends and make these easy cake mix cookies! They’ll truly be the best you’ve ever had. These are one of my go-to recipes for birthday parties or Christmas cookie exchanges. The printable recipe card is below, enjoy!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

cake mix cookies on a serving platter
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4.41 from 30 votes

Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Incredibly soft, these 4 Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies are easy to make and even easier to eat! The flavor combinations are just about endless.
servings 24 cookies
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounce Betty Crocker Cake Mix 1 box, in any flavor
  • 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir cake mix together with oil, vanilla and eggs.
    cake mix cookies ingredients in a glass mixing bowl
  • Scoop dough into 24 even balls and place onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 4 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
    cake mix cookie dough in balls on a baking sheet

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake mix cookie recipe, cake mix cookies, chocolate cake mix cookies

 

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Recipe Rating




52 Responses
  1. Karen Holtze

    5 stars
    Used French Vanilla Cake mix, avocado oil, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, zest of one large orange and dried cranberries. Delicious!

  2. Elaine

    I’m going to make yelliw cake mix with almond extract and chocolate sprinkles tonight. I have everything I need been craving something sweet.

  3. Kelsey

    5 stars
    I doubled the recipe with melted butter instead of oil. Added crushed candy canes. Then I rolled each ball in sugar and baked. Was sure to under bake slightly. They turned out amazing!!! Crisp edges and soft inside. The dough was a great consistency like regular cookie dough

  4. Dessie

    Used this recipe with yellow cake mix, pumpkin spice and cinnamon (measured with my heart) 🥰 the batter turned out very sticky but the outcome tasted amazing

    1. Amber R

      I used about 3/4 a cup of add ins , white choc chips , chopped up Reese’s pb cups , and m&ms . I’d say anywhere from 3/4 of a cup to a full cup of ad ins is probably good .

  5. AA

    4 stars
    I tried this recipe and made double chocolate chip cookies using the bc chocolate fudge cake mix and also made bc rainbow bit cake mix cookies with m&m’s and they both turned out great. I’m made my cookies for each about 12 so they were bigger, I just doubled the bake time and the baked good. They weren’t raw or burnt like the last time I tried making cookies!

  6. Reem

    5 stars
    I made adjustments because of the size of the box. Just wanted to share – I used the 10.58oz of funfetti cupcake batter. I adjusted the recipe at: 1/4th cup of oil, 1 egg, 1 tbsp of yogurt, 1 tsp of vanilla – it came out great.

    1. Twyla

      What if I’m using a cake mix that only uses water. Do I still at eggs and oil or no because it’s already in the mix.

  7. Ric

    4 stars
    Made these and they are great although I had to add around 1/3 cup flour as they were way to wet. I also put the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes. Definitely going to make them again 🙂

  8. Mimi

    5 stars
    I usually bake cookies from scratch. I was cleaning out my pantry and saw a cake mix. I wanted to try and make cookies. I saw your recipe and tried it. My husband, daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids all loved them. I used a milk chocolate cake mix and added dark and white chocolate chips. If I didn’t tell them it was from a cake mix, no one would have known they weren’t from scratch. Absolutely yummy 😋

  9. Melissa

    5 stars
    I found your recipe t hi I’d morning while looking for cake mix recipes. I used yellow cake Duncan’s Hines moist and chopped up reese’s mini cups and Hershey special dark chocolate bar. I wasn’t sure how much to use. I opted for a 1/2 cup of each and it worked perfectly. Thank you Lauren for an easy recipe for someone who has limited time these days.
    This is my new go to recipe for the future. ❤😁

  10. Aubrey

    5 stars
    Delicious, soft, and so easy! I used Duncan Hines devils food cake and rolled them in powdered sugar! Very yummy and so simple ! Thanks for the great recipe.

  11. Madeleine Cornwell

    5 stars
    Really enjoyed making these with yellow cake mix with chocolate chips in them. And I used my Madeleine pans and they were really cute and satisfying to bite into, as I’d baked them a little longer than recommended, turning them over to brown on the opposite side, thinking they weren’t done. So they turned a little crispy on the outside. Thank you for your very easy recipe to follow.

  12. Evelyn

    1 star
    This recipe was not good. The bake time was completely off and the cookies were under cooked and we had to throw away 3/4 of the batch, it was very dissapointing.

    1. Lauren

      They should have been baked after 8-10 minutes. Did you scoop them into bigger cookies? Also, some ovens run hot or cold. You can definitely bake these longer if you noticed they weren’t baked entirely through.

      1. ****

        Some of my family was gone for a while and i wanted to make something sweet. I heard about making cake batter into cookies but I have never tried it and I looked for an awesome recipe. that’s exactly what I got! This recipe was so good and my entire family was devouring these cookies. I used A Devil‘s cake mix and it was pretty good. Thank you so much

  13. MaryAnne

    5 stars
    Added chocolate kiss in the center and used chocolate cake mix . Death by chocolate for sure. They were delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

  14. Patricia R.

    I love the idea of mix-ins. Can you suggest an amount to add. I would probably add a couple of things like chips and nuts. Thanks and Happy New Year.

  15. Joanie

    5 stars
    These cookies are delightful, and incredibly easy. There are almost endless flavor combinations. I’ve made these many times. 😋

    1. Lauren

      As long as its a lightly colored and flavored oil, it’ll work just fine. I’ve never tried it with applesauce, but you are welcome to try. The texture is what would most likely suffer.

  16. Pam

    5 stars
    Consider me influenced! I saw this recipe on your Instagram account and it was a no brainer to try with my kids. We made cherry chip with Christmas coloured sprinkles. Yum! I shouldn’t be surprised… in the many years I’ve been following your blog, you’ve never led me astray! Thanks for another good one!

  17. Michelle

    My husband used to make these cake mix cookies to take to a weekly meeting. He tried every cake mix there was. They are good but I found that if they were not eaten within a few days they were a bit grainy. Usually they didn’t last that long thank goodness

  18. Kindra

    5 stars
    I have been making similar cookies for years from my grandma’s recipe. We usually roll ours into balls and then into sugar. So like yellow cake mix roll in a cinnamon/sugar mix so they’re like Snickerdoodles. Chocolate cake mix would be rolled in powdered sugar, etc. I don’t know why but I’ve never thought to add mix-ins to the batter before. I will definitely have to try that to the next batch I make. What I love about this recipe though is that it’s so easy and only makes a small batch. My grandma said she came up with her recipe because my dad or my 3 uncles would always tell her they needed cookies for school the next day at 10 pm the night before. She needed something quick and not complicated to make. Thanks for sharing your version. I love all your recipes.

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