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Soft, fluffy, and bursting with vanilla flavor, these cake mix cookies come together in minutes with just 5 simple ingredients. Perfect for holiday baking, cookie swaps, or last-minute treats!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Only 5 ingredients – Starts with a boxed cake mix
Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes
Fun holiday colors – Customize with red & green (or any colors!)
Soft & chewy – Powdered sugar coating adds a delicate sweetness
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- Red & green gel food coloring (optional)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
(Optional: 1 tbsp flour if dough is too sticky)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep & Mix
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Add Color (Optional)
- For holiday cookies, divide dough in half.
- Mix red gel into one half.
- Mix green gel into the other.
3. Chill (Key Step!)
- Refrigerate dough 30 minutes for easier handling and fluffier cookies.
4. Shape & Coat
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then coat in powdered sugar.
- Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart.
5. Bake
- Bake 9-11 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool 2 minutes on sheets, then transfer to a rack.
Pro Tips
For vibrant colors: Use gel food coloring (not liquid).
Sticky dough fix: Add 1 tbsp flour if needed.
Chewier cookies: Bake 8-9 minutes for softer centers.
Uniform size: Use a #40 cookie scoop (1.5 tbsp).
Variations
- Chocolate: Use chocolate cake mix + roll in cocoa powder.
- Lemon: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest + use yellow coloring.
- Funfetti: Skip coloring, mix in ½ cup sprinkles.
Storage
- Room temp: 5 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze: Dough or baked cookies for 3 months.
Yield: ~2 dozen cookies
Perfect for: Holiday parties, cookie boxes, or Santa’s plate!
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Description
Soft, fluffy, and bursting with vanilla flavor, these cake mix cookies come together in minutes with just 5 simple ingredients. Perfect for holiday baking, cookie swaps, or last-minute treats!
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- Red & green gel food coloring (optional)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
1. Prep & Mix
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Add Color (Optional)
- For holiday cookies, divide dough in half.
- Mix red gel into one half.
- Mix green gel into the other.
3. Chill (Key Step!)
- Refrigerate dough 30 minutes for easier handling and fluffier cookies.
4. Shape & Coat
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then coat in powdered sugar.
- Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart.
5. Bake
- Bake 9-11 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Cool 2 minutes on sheets, then transfer to a rack.