Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Fluffy Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe: Sweet Joy in Every Bite

Sweet surprises often emerge when you blend cake mix crinkle cookies with unexpected ingredients.

Baking adventures can spark delightful moments in any kitchen.

My grandmother shared her secret to making these treats irresistibly soft.

Chocolate lovers will adore the rich, fudgy texture that melts on your tongue.

Powdered sugar creates a delicate, crackled exterior that looks as magical as it tastes.

Simple ingredients come together in minutes, promising quick satisfaction for sudden dessert cravings.

Each bite delivers a nostalgic comfort that feels like a warm hug.

You won’t believe how effortlessly these cookies will become your new favorite sweet indulgence.

What Makes Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Special

  • Whip Up Effortless Cookies: This recipe rocks for busy bakers who want delicious treats without complicated steps.
  • Customize Color and Creativity: Easily transform basic cookie dough by adding food coloring for festive red and green variations perfect for holidays or themed parties.
  • Quick Preparation Magic: From start to finish, these cookies take less than an hour, making them ideal for last-minute dessert cravings or unexpected guests.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Simple ingredients and straightforward mixing process invite children to join the fun, turning cookie-making into a delightful family activity.

Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies – Ingredient Breakdown

Cake Base:
  • Cake Mix: Provides the main flavor and structure for the cookies, choose a flavor that complements your desired taste profile.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures soft and chewy texture, helps create a smooth dough consistency.
Color and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic sweetness.
  • Red Food Coloring, Green Food Coloring: Optional ingredients for creating festive or colorful cookies, use gel or liquid food coloring for best results.
Coating and Finishing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates the classic crinkle cookie look with a sweet, powdery exterior.
  • Flour: Optional ingredient to adjust dough consistency if too sticky, use all-purpose flour.

Easy Steps for Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven ready by heating it to 375°F.

Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine all wet ingredients with the cake mix.

Stir everything together until you have a smooth, consistent dough that looks creamy and well-blended.

Step 3: Add Festive Colors (Optional)

Split the dough into two separate bowls if you want a colorful twist.

Add red food coloring to one portion and green food coloring to the other.

Mix thoroughly until the colors are evenly distributed throughout each dough batch.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Pop the dough into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape and creates a fluffier texture when baked.

Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat

Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough.

Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, creating a beautiful crinkle effect.

If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a bit of flour and mix gently.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes.

Look for lightly golden edges as your signal that the cookies are done.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a minute or two.

Transfer to a cooling rack to complete the cooling process.

Serve and watch everyone enjoy these delightful treats!

Smart Baking Notes for Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

  • Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to make rolling easier and ensure the cookies stay fluffy and soft.
  • If the dough feels too sticky, mix in a tablespoon of flour to help with handling and create perfect cookie consistency.
  • Experiment with food coloring to make festive red and green cookies for holidays or themed parties.
  • Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar to create the classic crinkle cookie look and add a sweet, delicate exterior.
  • Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring to a cooling rack to help them set perfectly.

Reheating Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes.
  • If cookies become slightly hard, add a slice of bread to the container overnight. The moisture will help soften the cookies and restore their texture.

Flavors That Complement Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

  • Brew a rich hot chocolate to complement the cookie's sweetness, creating a cozy winter treat that melts in your mouth.
  • Serve alongside a vanilla latte or cappuccino, letting the coffee's bold notes contrast with the cookie's delicate powdered sugar coating.
  • Offer cold whole milk or eggnog during holiday seasons, enhancing the cookie's soft texture and adding creamy richness to each bite.
  • Select a light moscato or dessert wine with subtle sweet undertones that harmonize with the cookie's sugary profile.

Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Creative Twists

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Swap regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix blend to create a celiac-friendly version of these crinkle cookies.
  • Vegan Victory: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil for a plant-based alternative.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Use chocolate cake mix and add cocoa powder for extra richness, rolling the dough in dark cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar for an intense chocolate experience.
  • Keto-Friendly Option: Create a low-carb version using almond flour, sugar-free cake mix substitute, and a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol for rolling instead of powdered sugar.

FAQs

  • Can I use any flavor of cake mix for these cookies?

Yes, you can use any flavor of cake mix to create unique and delicious crinkle cookies. Popular choices include vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, or funfetti.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet?

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.

  • What if my dough is too sticky to handle?

Add about one tablespoon of flour to the dough and mix it in. Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes also helps make it less sticky and easier to roll.

  • Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 2 months, just roll them in powdered sugar right before baking.

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Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Chocolate cake mix crinkle cookies offer a delightful twist on classic holiday treats with minimal effort. Powdered sugar-coated edges and rich chocolate flavor make these cookies irresistible for quick dessert cravings you’ll want to share with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating:

  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Optional Add-ins:

  • Red food coloring gel
  • Green food coloring gel

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and arranging a silicone mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
  2. Create a smooth dough mixture by whisking together eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and cake mix until achieving a uniform consistency.
  3. For festive variations, separate the dough into two portions and incorporate red and green food coloring, ensuring even color distribution throughout each portion.
  4. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to enhance texture and improve handling capabilities.
  5. Utilize a cookie scoop to form uniform dough balls, generously coating each in powdered sugar for a classic crinkle appearance.
  6. If the dough proves excessively sticky, incorporate a small amount of flour to adjust the consistency and facilitate easier shaping.
  7. Position the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing between each cookie.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges as an indicator of proper doneness.
  9. Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet to set their structure before carefully transferring to a cooling rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for optimal texture, preventing spreading and creating a more tender cookie with a soft, pillowy center.
  • Add extra flavor by mixing in mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or festive sprinkles to customize the basic cake mix cookie recipe.
  • Control stickiness by gradually adding flour if the dough feels too wet, ensuring easy rolling and a perfect powdered sugar coating.
  • Experiment with different cake mix flavors like red velvet, funfetti, or chocolate to create unique variations of these easy crinkle cookies.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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