Craving warm, home-baked cookies without the fuss? These Cake Mix Cookies rely on just three ingredients—including cake mix and eggs—to create tender, chewy treats in minutes. The dough comes together with minimal stirring, making it an ideal project for little hands or last-minute dessert cravings. Perfect for a quick after-school snack or a cozy treat with coffee, these cookies deliver big flavor with almost no effort.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy .
You’ll Adore These Cookies 💖
- Effortless Prep – Stir, scoop, and bake for instant cookie joy.
- Endless Variations – Swap flavors to match any mood or season.
- Crowd-Pleasing Texture – Soft centers with just-right chewiness every time.
- Memory-Maker – Perfect for baking with kids or last-minute guests.
What You’ll Need for Cake Mix Cookies
For the cookie base
- Yellow Cake Mix – A boxed mix makes this recipe super easy and gives the cookies that classic soft texture.
- Unsalted Butter – Softened to room temperature for easy mixing and perfect consistency.
- Eggs – Large, room temperature eggs help bind everything together.
- Vanilla Extract – A little splash adds that warm, sweet flavor we all love.
For mixing in
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Go for high-quality ones—they make all the difference.
- Rainbow Sprinkles – Because everything is better with a little color and fun!
Let’s Whip These Up in No Time
I love how little time these cookies demand from our busy days. You’ll spend just 10 minutes getting everything ready—perfect for those afternoons when craving strikes unexpectedly. Then, they bake for about 10 minutes, filling your kitchen with that irresistible warm vanilla scent. In under 20 minutes total, you’ll have a plate of freshly baked Cake Mix Cookies ready to share (or sneak quietly with coffee).
This quick timeline makes them ideal for weeknight treats or spontaneous dessert cravings. Honestly, I’ve even whipped up a batch while my pasta water boiled! If you adore easy bakes that feel special, you might also enjoy my small batch oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for another cozy, fast option.
Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
Equipment
- electric mixer
- oven
- Baking sheets
- spatula
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the entire box of cake mix to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a thick, uniform dough forms with no dry streaks remaining.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and rainbow sprinkles with a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Drop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers appear slightly soft.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Notes
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets
I know many of you are sugar-conscious or exploring low-glycemic options, so let’s chat about adaptations. For diabetic-friendly versions, try swapping the cake mix with a sugar-free variety and using a natural sweetener like stevia in place of any added sugars. You can also reduce portion sizes for better glycemic control—sometimes, a smaller cookie is just as satisfying with a cup of tea!
My Favorite Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
Over countless batches, I’ve gathered a few tricks to make your Cake Mix Cookies absolutely foolproof. First, if you want to experiment with flavors, try using a chocolate cake mix instead of yellow for rich, fudgy results—it’s one of the best cake mix cookies variations! For a diet tweak, substitute applesauce for butter to reduce fat while keeping them soft.
Always let your butter soften naturally on the counter; microwaving can alter the texture. Finally, store leftovers in an airtight container—they stay chewy for days! For more storage ideas, check out my butterscotch pecan cookies guide. And if you love chocolate, don’t miss these brown butter chocolate cookies for another decadent twist.
Nutrition and Health Benefits of Cake Mix Cookies
While these are definitely a treat, it’s worth noting that using cake mix simplifies the ingredient list, avoiding excess additives sometimes found in packaged snacks. Eggs provide protein, and if you choose dark chocolate chips, you’ll get a hint of antioxidants. For a deeper dive into balanced indulgences, the any flavor cake mix cookies resource offers foundational insights. For more wholesome cookie ideas, explore my Amish sugar cookies or these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Lighter Version of Cake Mix Cookies
If you’re craving a lighter treat, try using angel food cake mix for fewer calories, or swap in whole wheat cake mix if available. You can also reduce the chocolate chips by half and add nuts for crunch. For more guilt-free ideas, see my chocolate crinkle cookies or these snickerdoodle blondies, which use simpler, wholesome ingredients.
How to Serve Cake Mix Cookies with Love
I love serving these cookies still slightly warm with a cold glass of milk—it reminds me of afternoons at my grandma’s house, where cookies were always a symbol of comfort. For a festive twist, arrange them on a vintage plate with fresh berries alongside.
They pair wonderfully with coffee or hot cocoa, making them perfect for cozy gatherings. For more serving inspiration, explore my cookies and cream cookies or these playful chocolate bat cookies for themed occasions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Cake Mix Cookies
First, don’t overmix the dough—it can make cookies tough instead of tender. Also, avoid using cold butter; room temperature helps create that perfect soft texture. Lastly, don’t overbake! Pull them out when edges are golden but centers look soft. For more troubleshooting, Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix cookies offers great tips. Also, check out my almond caramel crunch cookie guide for avoiding sticky situations. Remember, I’ve had my share of crispy failures—it’s all part of the fun!
How to Store Cake Mix Cookies for Freshness
I always store these in my grandmother’s old cookie tin—it keeps them chewy for days! For longer storage, freeze dough balls on a tray before transferring to a bag; bake straight from frozen adding a minute or two. For more ideas, see my mocha-filled chocolate cookies storage tips or these Christmas snickerdoodles for holiday baking advice.
Try These Cake Mix Cookies Today
I hope you feel inspired to bake these easy, joyful cookies—they’ve been a staple in my kitchen for years, especially when friends drop by unexpectedly. There’s something magical about how three ingredients can create so much warmth. If you loved this, explore more of my cookie recipes like classic cookies, brown butter M&M cookies, or other cake mix cookies variations. Happy baking, friends!
More Cozy Cookie Recipes You’ll Adore
If you loved these easy treats, here are more handheld joys to bake and share.
Amish Sugar Cookies – Soft, buttery rounds that melt in your mouth with every bite.
Snickerdoodle Blondies – Cinnamon-speckled bars that bring all the comfort of classic cookies in sliceable form.
Cookies and Cream Cookies – Chunky, creamy-loaded delights for oreo lovers seeking extra crunch.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Fudgy centers wrapped in crackly powdered sugar snowtops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you turn boxed cake mix into cookies?
Absolutely! Boxed cake mix works wonderfully for cookies—just combine with eggs and fat (like butter or oil) for an easy dough. It’s one of my favorite shortcuts for soft, consistent results every time.
What kind of cake mix makes good cookies?
Yellow and chocolate cake mixes are classics, but funfetti or lemon also create delicious cookies. For chewy textures, stick with dense mixes rather than light ones like angel food.
What are the 5 ingredient magic cookies?
Many magic cookies use cake mix, eggs, oil, and two mix-ins like chips and nuts. They’re called “magic” because they come together so easily! Explore my butterscotch pecan cookies for a similar simple delight.
What to make with a cake mix?
Beyond cookies, try bars, quick breads, or even pancakes! Cake mix is incredibly versatile. For creative ideas, cake batter chocolate chip cookies offer fun twists.
