Introduction
The first time I made Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies, it was for a family holiday gathering. I wasn’t sure how they’d turn out since the recipe seemed a bit too simple for such a festive occasion. But to my surprise, these cookies were a huge hit! The combination of the chewy texture, vibrant colors, and festive look made them the perfect treat for the season. Even my picky little cousins couldn’t stop snacking on them, and they loved the idea of rolling them in powdered sugar. The best part? They are ridiculously easy to make. Everyone can enjoy this fun, colorful cookie with minimal effort, which is exactly what you need when you’re prepping for the holiday rush.
Why You’ll Love This Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are the ideal combination of simplicity and joy. The recipe uses a box of white cake mix as the base, making it incredibly easy to prepare, and the result is a soft, chewy cookie with a beautiful crinkly texture. They are vibrant and festive, thanks to the red and green food coloring, making them perfect for Christmas or any other special occasion. Whether you’re baking for a party, preparing treats for family and friends, or just want to enjoy something delicious, these cookies are sure to please. They come together quickly, and the powdered sugar coating gives them that signature “crinkle” effect, which makes them extra fun to look at and eat.
Ingredients
To make these Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 box of white cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Red and green food coloring gel (optional, but highly recommended for a festive touch)
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully incorporated. The dough will be soft and sticky.
- Optional – Add food coloring: If you want to make your cookies festive, divide the dough into two equal portions. Add red food coloring gel to one bowl and green to the other. Mix until the color is fully incorporated into the dough, resulting in a fun and colorful dough.
- Chill the dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies become fluffier as they bake.
- Shape the cookies: Use a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop to measure out the dough. Roll each scoop of dough into a ball using your hands, then roll the dough balls in powdered sugar to coat them completely. The sugar will give the cookies their signature crinkle look when baked.
- Bake the cookies: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the cookies have spread and developed cracks on the surface.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set without breaking.
Nutrition Facts (Servings and Calories Per Serving)
This recipe makes approximately 18 cookies. Here’s the nutrition breakdown per serving (one cookie):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 16g
These cookies are a sweet treat, so enjoy them in moderation during the holiday season!
Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Chilling time: 30 minutes
- Baking time: 9-11 minutes
- Total time: 50-55 minutes
How to Serve
Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are perfect for many occasions. Here are some ways you can serve them:
- As a Holiday Treat: Serve them on a cookie platter for Christmas, New Year’s, or any festive gathering.
- With Hot Chocolate: Pair these cookies with a cup of hot cocoa for a cozy winter treat.
- As a Dessert for Parties: They’re easy to make and always a hit at parties, especially when you want to impress with minimal effort.
- Packed in a Gift Box: These cookies make great homemade gifts. Package them in a festive box or tin for a thoughtful and delicious present.
Additional Tips
- Use Gel Food Coloring: For vibrant and rich colors, opt for gel food coloring rather than liquid food coloring.
- Add Sprinkles: For extra sparkle, sprinkle some holiday-themed sprinkles on top of the cookies before baking.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can make the cookies dense and tough. Stir just until everything is combined.
- Chill the Dough Well: Chilling the dough is key to making the cookies easier to roll and ensuring they don’t spread too much while baking.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: Using a cookie scoop ensures that the cookies are uniform in size, which helps them bake evenly.
FAQ Section
- Can I use a different type of cake mix? Yes! You can experiment with other cake mixes, such as chocolate or strawberry, for a different flavor.
- Do I need to use food coloring? No, food coloring is optional. If you prefer plain white cookies, feel free to skip this step.
- Can I freeze the dough? Yes, you can freeze the dough. Just shape the dough balls, roll them in powdered sugar, and freeze them. When you’re ready to bake, just place them on a baking sheet and bake from frozen.
- Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil? Yes, you can substitute butter for vegetable oil for a richer flavor. Melt the butter before adding it to the dough.
- Can I make these cookies without eggs? You can try using an egg substitute, such as flaxseed meal mixed with water or a store-bought egg replacer.
- How long do the cookies stay fresh? These cookies will stay fresh for about 3-4 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Can I make these cookies ahead of time? Yes, you can make these cookies up to 2 days ahead of time, or even freeze them for longer storage.
- Why did my cookies spread too much? If your cookies spread too much, it may be because the dough was too warm or not chilled long enough. Be sure to refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- What should I do if the dough is too sticky? If the dough is too sticky to handle, try adding a tablespoon of flour and mixing it in. This will make the dough easier to work with.
- How can I make these cookies more festive? Add sprinkles, drizzle with icing, or mix in holiday-themed chocolate chips or nuts for extra flair!
Conclusion
Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are a simple, festive, and delightful treat that everyone will love. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a batch of cookies that are perfect for any holiday or gathering. Their chewy texture, vibrant colors, and crinkly look make them an instant favorite for all ages. Whether you’re baking for a family get-together, a party, or just to enjoy as a sweet snack, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your holiday baking repertoire. Enjoy!
PrintCake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are the perfect holiday treat, bursting with festive colors and a chewy texture. Made with just a few ingredients, they’re easy to prepare and perfect for sharing at Christmas parties or as a fun baking activity with kids. Red and green food coloring add a colorful touch to make these cookies as cheerful as they are delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Red and green food coloring gel, optional
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and cake mix until fully combined.
- (Optional) Divide the dough into two equal portions. Add red food coloring gel to one bowl and green food coloring gel to the other. Mix each portion until the color is fully incorporated.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This step will help make the dough easier to handle and result in fluffier cookies.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar, then place them on the prepared baking sheet. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour to help with consistency.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes at 375°F, or until the cookies have spread and developed cracks on top.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 1-2 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
- If you don’t want to use food coloring, you can skip that step, and the cookies will still taste great!
- For an added festive touch, sprinkle the cookies with holiday-themed sprinkles before baking.
- Make sure to refrigerate the dough to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15mg