If you are looking for a festive, simple, and utterly delicious way to spread holiday cheer, the Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies come together with minimal effort but deliver maximum joy through their soft texture, delightful sweetness, and those pops of holiday color from red and green sprinkles. Whether you’re baking with kids or need a last-minute holiday treat that looks like it took hours, this recipe is a warm, inviting classic that will fill your kitchen with the spirit of Christmas.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe is wonderfully straightforward but relies on a handful of essential ingredients that make all the difference. Each one plays a key role in the cookies’ texture and flavor, ensuring a tender, moist, and festive result that everyone will love.
- White or vanilla cake mix: Acts as the base of the dough, providing sweetness and a soft crumb that’s perfect for holiday cookies.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together while giving structure to the cookies.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies moist and tender without heaviness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic note that enhances the overall flavor.
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar: Give the cookies their unmistakable Christmas flair and a bit of crunch.
- Optional white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s: Add bursts of creamy or chocolaty sweetness and extra fun.
How to Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the cookies from sticking as they bake. This step ensures easy cleanup and perfectly shaped cookies.
Step 2: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the white or vanilla cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. This combination forms your cookie dough base, where the cake mix provides the signature softness, and the eggs and oil create a tender texture.
Step 3: Form a Soft Dough
Mix everything until a soft dough forms. It might be slightly sticky, but that’s exactly what you want for these chewy, tender cookies. Don’t overmix as that can make cookies tough.
Step 4: Add Festive Fun Mix-Ins
Gently fold in half of your red and green sprinkles along with white chocolate chips or festive M&M’s, if using. These add both festive colors and delightful flavors within every bite.
Step 5: Shape Into Balls
Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into balls. This size is perfect for baking even, soft cookies that are just right for snacking or gift-giving.
Step 6: Arrange on the Baking Sheet
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Leaving enough room helps the cookies bake evenly without merging.
Step 7: Flatten Slightly
With your palm, gently flatten each dough ball. This step helps them spread evenly while baking and gives the cookies a classic, inviting shape.
Step 8: Add Extra Holiday Cheer
Sprinkle additional red and green sprinkles on top of each cookie for an extra festive touch that will catch everyone’s eye. It’s these little details that lift the humble cookie to a holiday masterpiece.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, watching for edges to set while keeping the centers soft. This balance ensures every bite is full of tender sweetness without being too crumbly or dry.
Step 10: Cool and Set
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling helps them firm up a little so they hold together perfectly when eaten or packaged.
Step 11: Serve and Share
Your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Whether on a festive platter or wrapped up as gifts, these treats are bound to bring smiles around the holiday season.
How to Serve Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra garnish can turn your cookies from lovely to show-stopping. Consider drizzling melted white chocolate or sprinkling flaky sea salt to highlight the sweetness. Fresh peppermint leaves or a dusting of powdered sugar can also add seasonal charm and depth.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, warm spiced cider, or even a creamy eggnog. The warmth of these drinks complements the softness and festive flavors of the Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe perfectly, making your holiday gatherings cozier.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is key during the holidays! Arrange the cookies on a festive plate layered with pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks. For gifting, place them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbon or tuck them in decorated tins. These little touches make your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and moist for up to 5 days, making them ideal for enjoying over the holiday week or nibbling on through Christmas Eve.
Freezing
Want to get a head start? Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready, bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months, just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe warm, simply heat a few cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm a couple in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. The warmth revives that fresh-baked softness and melty chocolate goodness.
FAQs
Can I use any type of cake mix for this recipe?
Yes! While white or vanilla cake mix gives a classic look and flavor, you can experiment with funfetti, chocolate, or even spice cake mixes to customize your festive cookies.
What if I don’t have sprinkles? Can I substitute something else?
Absolutely! You can swap sprinkles for chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or crushed candy canes for unique textures and flavors that still look festive.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
They can be if you choose a gluten-free cake mix. Just make sure all your mix-ins and sprinkles are gluten-free as well to keep it safe for those with sensitivities.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
You’d need to use a vegan cake mix and replace the eggs with flax eggs or another egg substitute, and swap vegetable oil for a vegan-friendly alternative. The texture might vary slightly but can still be delicious.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your dough is well-chilled before baking, and avoid flattening the balls too much. Using parchment paper helps maintain shape while baking as well.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so instantly joyful about the simplicity and festivity of the Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe. It’s a recipe that invites everyone into the kitchen, guarantees smiles, and makes holiday moments a little sweeter. Go ahead, gather your ingredients, and create a batch that you’ll want to share again and again. Happy baking and even happier holidays!
