3 Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies
3 ingredient cake mix cookies are the shortcut you reach for when you want a fresh batch of homemade cookies without pulling out a bag of flour and a measuring cup. All it takes is one bowl, three everyday ingredients, and about 15 minutes from start to finish.
The cookies bake up soft and chewy with crackly tops and tender centers, tasting miles better than anything from a package. Keep a box of cake mix in the pantry and you are never more than a few stirs away from warm cookies on the counter.
Why These 3‑Ingredient Cookies Stay in the Rotation
I come back to this recipe because it’s about as reliable as baking gets. The batter stirs together in one bowl in under five minutes, and the cookies always emerge with that just‑right chewiness you usually only get from a from‑scratch recipe.
The beauty is in the idea. A box of cake mix already contains flour, sugar, leavening, and flavoring, so you get to skip all the measuring. The eggs and oil bind everything into a glossy dough that bakes into cookies with glossy tops and soft middles, whether you use yellow, chocolate, or funfetti mix.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix: any flavor works; yellow, chocolate, and funfetti are my favorites.
- 2 large eggs: room temperature eggs blend in more smoothly.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil: canola or another neutral oil works just as well.
- Optional: 1 cup mix‑ins: chocolate chips, M&Ms, sprinkles, or chopped nuts add an easy boost.
Variations / Substitutions
- Swap the cake mix flavor: red velvet with white chocolate chips, spice cake with chopped pecans, or lemon with a powdered sugar dusting.
- Use melted butter: replace the oil with an equal amount of melted unsalted butter for a richer, slightly crispier edge. The dough will be thicker, so a 10‑minute rest before scooping helps.
- Skip the mix‑ins: plain cake mix cookies are still fantastic, especially with a sprinkle of flaky salt right after baking.
- Make them dairy‑free: most cake mixes and vegetable oil are dairy‑free, but check the label on your mix to be sure.
If you are in the mood for a dough that starts with a butter‑based cookie mix, try the 5‑Ingredient Shortbread Cookies for a different take.
How to Make 3 Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Empty the entire 15.25 oz box of cake mix into a large mixing bowl. Add the 2 large eggs and the 1/2 cup vegetable oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a thick dough forms and no dry flour remains, about 1 minute of steady stirring. The dough will look glossy and feel slightly sticky. Stop as soon as it comes together, because overworking can make the cookies tough.
Step 2: Scoop and Shape the Dough
Use a medium cookie scoop to drop rounded 1.5‑tablespoon portions of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches between them. You can leave the mounds rounded for thicker cookies or press them down gently with your palm for flatter discs. The dough does not need to chill, so you can move straight to the oven.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while you finish scooping. Slide the baking sheet onto the middle rack and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges look set and the tops are just beginning to crack, while the centers still appear a little underdone. Pull the sheet out and let the cookies rest on the hot pan for 2 minutes, which lets the undersides firm up without overbaking.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, or pile them onto a plate while they are still warm. They will firm up as they settle, and a slightly warm cookie with a cold glass of milk is hard to beat. Any extra can go right into an airtight container once cooled.
A Few Tips for the Best Cake Mix Cookies
- A medium cookie scoop (about 1.5‑tablespoon size) gives you evenly sized rounds that all bake at the same rate, so you avoid a tray where some are overdone and some are still doughy.
- Pull the cookies when the centers look slightly wet, not completely firm. Carry‑over heat finishes the job during the brief rest on the sheet.
- Press a few extra chocolate chips or sprinkles onto the tops right after the cookies come out of the oven. It gives them that bakery‑style look with almost no extra effort.
- If your kitchen runs warm and the dough gets too sticky to handle, pop the bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes, then scoop. It makes shaping much cleaner.
Storing Leftover Cookies
Room Temperature Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. A slice of bread tossed in the container helps them stay soft.
Freeze You can freeze portioned, unbaked dough balls on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a zip‑top bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any cake mix flavor?
Yes, any standard 15.25‑ounce box of cake mix works the same way, from strawberry to confetti to dark chocolate.
Do I need to chill the dough?
No, the dough scoops and bakes beautifully straight from the bowl. A short chill can help if your kitchen is very warm, but it is not part of the base recipe.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Excess spreading usually means the dough got too warm or the baking sheet was greased instead of lined. Use parchment paper and pop the dough in the fridge if your butter‑based swap feels soft.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the dough up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping so it softens slightly.
3 Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Stir together the cake mix, eggs, and oil in a large bowl until a thick dough forms and no dry flour remains.
- Scoop 1.5-tablespoon rounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9 to 11 minutes, until edges are set and tops just begin to crack. Let the cookies rest on the sheet for 2 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm. Store in an airtight container.
