Cake Mix Cookies 12 Ways – So many varieties, you’ll want to try them all! 4 ingredients, 20 minutes, and you can have soft, delicious cookies. Video Included.
I do love to cook from scratch, but sometimes you need a little help from the store to make something super easy! A cake mix is a great way to do that. So grab that cake mix and try these Cake Mix Cookies, then try my Funfetti Pancakes, Dump Cake Recipe, or Coconut and Pistachio Pudding Cake!
The Easiest Cookie Recipe
These Cake Mix Cookies have become one of those go-to recipes for years now for when I want/need cookies, but am feeling a bit lazy. Seriously – only 4 ingredients and 20 minutes, and you have your cookies. And let’s not lie – sometimes you just need a pink strawberry cookie.
I love these cookies because not only are they super easy and super fast, but when it comes to flavor combinations, the sky is the limit! You can use any flavor of cake mix that you want, then choose your add-in. Chocolate chips, candy pieces, nuts, coconut, toffee… go crazy!! To get your creative ideas going, I have included 12 different flavors you can turn these cookies into. This is really just a jumping off point, though – there are so many great combinations you could make!
Ingredients
This is the easiest cookie recipe ever – technically all you need are 3 ingredients, but I like to throw the 4th one in to add some variety.
Cake Mix – I have found that brand doesn’t matter here. You just need the dry cake mix – not the ingredients it calls for on the back.
Vegetable Oil – I like using vegetable oil for the softest cookies.
Eggs – You’ll need 2 eggs. I haven’t tried any substitutions, but others have used Greek yogurt or applesauce in place of the eggs.
Mix-Ins – This is where you can have fun! Use chocolate chips or sprinkles or nuts or candy pieces. It’s really fun to play around with different kinds of mix-ins to see what kind of flavor combinations you can come up with!
How to Make Cake Mix Cookies
- Combine the dry cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix together until combined.
- Add in your mix in – for the photos, I am using coconut as my mix in. Mix to combine.
- Scoop the dough – it is sticky, so I like to use a cookie scoop.
- Place the dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat liner.
- Bake until the cookies are set around the edges.
Cake Mix Cookies Video
Want to see how to make these cookies instead? Watch the video above to see just how easy they are!
Tips and Tricks
- Different flavors of cake mixes act differently. The strawberry cake mix usually makes thicker cookies for me, while yellow cake mixes will spread out more. I tried refrigerating dough to see if that would help with the cookies that spread more, but it didn’t make a huge difference. The mix in that you choose could make a difference, as well.
- I know that different brands of cake mixes are different sizes. I tried these with different sizes – from 15.25 oz to 18.25 oz and found that you don’t need to alter any ingredients for different brands of cake mixes.
- I always use vegetable oil, but I know others have had success using melted butter instead.
- These cookies stay soft for several days. Store in an airtight container.
- No mixer is needed! I used a hand mixer in the video, but you can easily make these with just a spoon or a spatula.
12 Ways to Make Cake Mix Cookies
Like I said above, it’s time to get creative! Here are 12 combinations – use one of these or make up your own!
Yellow cake mix with toffee chips
White cake mix with mini m&ms
Strawberry cake mix with shredded coconut
Cherry chip cake mix with mini chocolate chips
Spice cake mix with pecans
Red velvet cake mix with white chocolate chips
More Cake Mix Cookies
Banana Split Cake Mix Cookies
Watermelon Cake Mix Cookie Sandwiches
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Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cake mix* dry ingredients only
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup mix ins such as chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with a silpat liner or parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, vegetable oil and eggs until combined. Stir in the mix ins.
- Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake just until the cookies are set in the middle, 10-12 minutes.
- Cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a cooling rack or a sheet of waxed paper.
Heather D says
This is a fun and easy recipe!! I’ve been making it for years for all different occasions and they’re always a hit.
Deborah says
Thanks Heather – I’m glad they’ve been a hit for years!
Susan Moody says
can these cookies be frozen after baking?
Deborah says
Yes – they freeze well!
andrew says
I love how easy these cookies were!
Beverly says
Good recipe for a quick desert but I need to mention the parchment paper is not a good idea. The recipe stated to line the baking sheet with it for easy cleanup but upon doing so we had a smoked up kitchen and the paper turned the bottoms brown and that was 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. I did use paper that said oven and microwave safe so I don’t know what the issue was. Next time I will stick to my usual cooking spray on a cookie sheet technique. other than that they seemed nice.
Deborah says
Hi Beverly, I’m so sorry that happened! I wonder if it’s the brand that you used? I’ve been using parchment paper for cookies for years and have never had that happen before – so crazy. Cookie spray on a baking sheet should work just fine, though!
June says
Were you using parchment paper or waxed paper? I only get smoke when I used waxed paper.
Susan says
This is one of the easiest cookie recipes to make ~ outstanding texture & flavor!
Kristin says
These look marvelous! I’m going to be making a big ol’ batch of ’em for Bingo this week. Suggestion: since a lot of people question the term “mix-in”, why not call them something like “optional add-ins / mix-ins” so there’s a clearer understanding of what they actually are! And again, thanks for this fabulous recipe! 🍪
Tamara Park says
I love your recipes. have you ever tried cake mix, 8oz cool whip and 1 egg. light and fluffy cookies. taste delicious and so easy to make with any age.
Deborah says
I have heard of this but have never tried it. But I want to!!
Angie Gage says
I have been making cake mix cookies for years. I like to use lemon cake with fruity pebbles. They are great. Also, if you use a gluten free cake mix, add an extra egg. Everyone loves these cookies when I make them and the mix ins are endless!
Deborah says
I totally want to try the lemon with fruity pebbles now! Such a fun combination!