Cake Mix Cookies Recipe: Soft and Chewy

Last Updated April 25th, 2024 at 12:47 pm by Lisa

Cake mix cookies are a quick, crowd-pleasing treat that bake in about 11 minutes and require just four main ingredients. They’re wonderfully flexible — stir in chocolate chips, sprinkles, chopped candy, or press colorful M&Ms on top for a cheerful finish. This recipe uses a vanilla cake mix, but any boxed flavor will work, giving you endless combinations for holidays, bake sales, or last-minute parties.

These cookies have a soft, slightly chewy texture and a simple dough that comes together in minutes. They’re ideal when you want a fast, dependable cookie without measuring out multiple dry ingredients. Below you’ll find the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, helpful baking tips, mix-in ideas, and flavor variations to inspire your next batch.

Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

You Need

• One 15.25-ounce box vanilla cake mix
• ½ cup melted butter (or substitute ½ cup oil — canola or vegetable)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup M&Ms (or other candy pieces)
• Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, sprinkles, coconut, chopped nuts, mini candy bars, etc.

Let’s Bake!

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a large bowl, combine the boxed cake mix, melted butter (or oil), and eggs. Stir until evenly combined — the dough will be sticky.
3. Use a 2-inch cookie scoop or two tablespoons to portion dough into balls. Place the dough about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 11–12 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and gently press a few M&Ms into the top of each hot cookie so they sit nicely on the surface. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
5. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to a couple of days.

Top Baking Tips

1. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper — it keeps cookies from sticking and makes cleanup fast.
2. Scoop dough into even portions (2-inch scoops are ideal). Leave about 3 inches between cookies so they have room to spread.
3. If you prefer less spreading, chill the dough briefly before baking. Keep in mind these cookies are intended to be soft and slightly spread.
4. Press mix-ins onto the cookies right after removing them from the oven if you want pieces to remain bright and not melt completely.

Basic Cake Mix Cookie Recipe Notes

Boxed cake mixes make this recipe fast and foolproof. Popular brands and many flavors are available in the baking aisle — vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, lemon, strawberry, and more. Keep a few mixes, baking chips, and sprinkles on hand so you can customize batches for different occasions.

Pro tip: For the wet ingredients, use either melted butter or oil plus the eggs — you don’t need both. The choice affects texture: melted butter gives a richer flavor, while oil keeps the dough very soft and chewy.

• Favorite boxed cake flavor (your choice)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup melted butter or ½ cup oil
• Optional: chocolate chips, powdered sugar, sprinkles, or other mix-ins

Popular Cake Mix Cookie Variations

Try one of these flavor combinations to change things up. They’re great for baking with kids or creating seasonal treats.

• Strawberry: strawberry cake mix + white chocolate chips + powdered sugar dusting
• Reese’s-style: chocolate cake mix + peanut butter chips
• Birthday Cake: funfetti white cake mix + white chocolate chips + rainbow sprinkles
• S’mores: chocolate cake mix + mini marshmallows + graham cracker pieces + chocolate chunks
• Peppermint Crunch: dark chocolate cake mix + crushed peppermint pieces
• Lemon: lemon cake mix + white chocolate chips + a light dusting of powdered sugar
• Red Velvet: red velvet cake mix + white chocolate chips
• Butterfinger: yellow cake mix + chopped Butterfinger pieces
• Snickerdoodle-style: yellow cake mix rolled in cinnamon-sugar before baking

A Word About Mix-Ins

You can fold mix-ins into the dough or press them onto the tops after baking. Pressing candies onto warm cookies keeps them colorful and prevents them from fully melting. If you mix them into the dough, some pieces may soften or crack slightly during baking, which can still look appealing.

Mix-in ideas:

• Milk or dark chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Food coloring drops for tinted dough
• Sprinkles or sanding sugar
• Chopped candy bars or toffee bits
• Peanut butter chips
• Mini marshmallows
• Shredded sweetened coconut
• Dried fruit like cranberries or chopped dried pineapple

FAQ

Why do cake mix cookies spread and look flat? Cookies made with melted butter or oil often spread more during baking, which produces a soft, chewy cookie. If you prefer thicker cookies, chill the dough briefly before baking or use slightly less fat.

Are cake mix cookies soft? Yes — these cookies are designed to be soft and chewy. The use of a boxed cake mix and melted fat contributes to that tender texture.

More Cookie Ideas

If you enjoy holiday baking or seasonal cookies, try recipes like Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Valentine’s heart-shaped palmiers, classic palmiers, Lucky Green Oreos for St. Patrick’s Day, Patriotic sugar cookies for the Fourth of July, s’more-style cookies, or coconut macaroons with chocolate eggs. These treats pair well with the simplicity and versatility of cake-mix cookies when you’re planning a dessert spread.