12 Amazing Cake Mix Cookie Recipes For Easy Home Baking

Transform ordinary cake mix into extraordinary cookies with these simple recipes. These shortcuts deliver bakery-quality treats without the fuss of measuring multiple ingredients.

Each recipe uses basic pantry staples to create delicious cookies that taste like you spent hours baking from scratch.

01. Fluffy Cool Whip Cookies

Light and airy cookies made with cake mix and Cool Whip. These soft treats disappear quickly from cookie jars everywhere.

Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 container (8 oz) Cool Whip thawed, 1 large egg, 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling.

How To Make Fluffy Cool Whip Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, Cool Whip, and egg until a soft dough forms that’s slightly sticky to touch.

2. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl for rolling. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.

3. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just set but centers still look slightly soft and underbaked.

4. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. The cookies will continue firming up as they cool, creating that perfect chewy texture everyone loves.

02. Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

Spiced cake mix cookies with warm gingerbread flavor. These soft treats capture all the cozy tastes of the season.

Ingredients: 1 box spice cake mix, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon molasses.

How To Make Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix cake mix, ginger, and cinnamon in a large bowl, whisking to distribute spices evenly throughout the dry ingredients.

2. Create a well in the center and add oil, eggs, and molasses. Stir until dough comes together and becomes smooth. The mixture should be slightly sticky but hold together when pressed.

3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers to about 1/2-inch thickness for even baking.

4. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set and centers look slightly underdone. Don’t overbake or they’ll become hard instead of chewy.

5. Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 3 minutes before moving to cooling racks. This brief cooling time helps them maintain that perfect chewy texture.

03. Tangy Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Bright lemon cookies with crackled tops and zesty flavor. These quick treats bring sunshine to any cookie plate in minutes.

Ingredients: 1 box lemon cake mix, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling.

How To Make Tangy Lemon Crinkle Cookies

1. Heat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine cake mix and lemon zest in a mixing bowl, rubbing the zest into the mix to release those essential oils.

2. Add oil and eggs to the dry ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky when properly mixed.

3. Scoop dough into walnut-sized balls and roll each one in powdered sugar until completely covered. Place them 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and tops have developed those characteristic cracks. The centers should still look slightly soft when you remove them.

5. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring. This helps set the texture and prevents the powdered sugar coating from disappearing completely.

04. Simple Three-Ingredient Cookies

Basic cake mix cookies using just three pantry staples. These foolproof treats prove that simple ingredients can create amazing results.

Ingredients: 1 box vanilla cake mix, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs.

How To Make Simple Three-Ingredient Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper or cooking spray. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup afterward.

2. Combine all three ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth, cohesive dough without any dry cake mix streaks remaining.

3. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during the baking process.

4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn light golden brown and centers appear set but still slightly soft to the touch.

5. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 3-4 minutes before carefully transferring to wire racks. They’ll be delicate when hot but firm up beautifully as they cool.

05. Colorful Birthday Celebration Cookies

Funfetti cake mix transformed into festive cookies loaded with sprinkles. These party-perfect treats bring joy to celebrations year-round.

Ingredients: 1 box funfetti cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup additional rainbow sprinkles, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

How To Make Colorful Birthday Celebration Cookies

1. Set oven temperature to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Let melted butter cool slightly before mixing to prevent cooking the eggs when combined.

2. Mix cake mix, cooled melted butter, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until dough forms. Fold in extra sprinkles gently to distribute color throughout without breaking them.

3. Scoop dough into 1.5-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. The cookies will spread slightly, so adequate spacing prevents them from merging together.

4. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are just set and centers still look slightly underbaked. Overbaking will make them tough instead of tender.

5. Cool completely on baking sheets before removing. The cookies continue cooking from residual heat, achieving that perfect balance between crispy edges and soft centers that makes them irresistible.

06. Rich Gooey Butter Cookies

Decadent butter cookies with soft, gooey centers and crispy edges. These indulgent treats melt in your mouth with every bite.

Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 large egg, 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

How To Make Rich Gooey Butter Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix cake mix, melted butter, and one egg until dough forms. Press this mixture into the bottom of your baking sheets as the base layer.

2. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes with an electric mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until completely smooth without lumps.

3. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake mix base layer, reaching all corners and edges. Use an offset spatula for the smoothest, most even coverage possible.

4. Bake for 22-25 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is just set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken.

5. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. These cookies are best served at room temperature when the gooey texture is at its peak deliciousness.

07. Elegant Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

Sophisticated red velvet cookies filled with cream cheese frosting. These impressive sandwich cookies look bakery-made but use simple shortcuts.

Ingredients: 1 box red velvet cake mix, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1/4 cup butter softened, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

08. Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

Moist pumpkin cookies with warm fall spices and optional chocolate chips. These cake-like treats capture autumn flavors perfectly.

Ingredients: 1 box spice cake mix, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips optional.

How To Make Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together cake mix and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl to evenly distribute the warming spices.

2. Add pumpkin puree, oil, and egg to dry ingredients, stirring until well combined. The dough will be softer than traditional cookie dough due to the moisture from pumpkin.

3. Fold in chocolate chips if using, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are set and centers spring back when lightly touched. These cookies should remain soft and cake-like, not crispy.

5. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. The extra cooling time helps them maintain their tender, moist texture that makes them so addictive.

09. Loaded Bar Cookies

Easy bar cookies packed with chocolate chips and nuts. These one-pan treats feed a crowd with minimal effort required.

Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup brown sugar.

How To Make Loaded Bar Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Line with parchment paper for easy removal and cutting later.

2. Combine cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and brown sugar in a large bowl, mixing until dough forms. The mixture should be thick but spreadable throughout the pan.

3. Press dough evenly into prepared pan using your hands or an offset spatula. Make sure the layer is uniform thickness for consistent baking results.

4. Sprinkle chocolate chips and chopped walnuts evenly over the surface, pressing them gently into the dough so they don’t fall off when cut.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is set when lightly touched. A toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

6. Cool completely in pan before cutting into squares. Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts for the neatest presentation possible.

10. Crackled Earthquake Cookies

Dramatic cookies with deeply cracked surfaces and fudgy centers. These eye-catching treats get their name from their earthquake-like appearance.

Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling.

How To Make Crackled Earthquake Cookies

1. Set oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth dough forms without streaks.

2. Chill dough for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle. Cold dough holds its shape better and creates more dramatic cracking during baking.

3. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll chilled dough into 1.5-inch balls, then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.

4. Place sugar-coated balls 3 inches apart on baking sheets, giving them plenty of room to spread and crack. Don’t flatten them before baking.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies have spread and developed deep cracks across their surfaces. Centers should still look slightly underbaked for fudgy texture.

6. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes before moving. They’re very delicate when hot but become perfectly chewy as they cool down.

11. Fudgy Chocolate Cookies

Rich double chocolate cookies with intense cocoa flavor. These budget-friendly treats taste like expensive bakery cookies but cost much less.

Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.

How To Make Fudgy Chocolate Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs in a mixing bowl, stirring until smooth dough forms.

2. Fold in mini chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. The mini chips work better than regular chips because they don’t weigh down the soft dough.

3. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread slightly but maintain their thick, fudgy texture.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly soft and underbaked. Don’t overbake or they’ll lose their signature fudgy quality.

5. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. This brief cooling period helps them set up while maintaining that perfect chewy-fudgy texture everyone craves.

12. Classic Red Velvet Cookies

Soft red velvet cookies with subtle cocoa flavor and beautiful color. These quick treats are perfect for last-minute gatherings or unexpected guests.

Ingredients: 1 box red velvet cake mix, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips optional.

How To Make Classic Red Velvet Cookies

1. Heat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth, cohesive dough forms.

2. Stir in white chocolate chips if using, which add sweetness that complements the subtle cocoa flavor in red velvet. The white chips also create beautiful color contrast.

3. Scoop dough into 1.5-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Don’t flatten them as they’ll spread naturally during baking.

4. Bake for 11-13 minutes until edges are set and centers still appear slightly soft. The cookies should maintain their vibrant red color without browning too much.

5. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 3-4 minutes before moving to cooling racks. This helps them maintain their soft, tender texture that makes red velvet cookies so special and beloved.

Final Thoughts

These cake mix cookie recipes prove that delicious homemade treats don’t require complicated techniques or endless ingredients. Each recipe delivers bakery-quality results with minimal effort.

Keep a few boxes of cake mix in your pantry for whenever cookie cravings strike or unexpected guests arrive.