If you are looking for a festive, flavorful, and incredibly simple cookie to add some sparkle to your holiday baking, this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe is your go-to solution. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a batch of soft, colorful cookies that are bursting with holiday cheer. The mix of sprinkles and optional sweet add-ins makes each bite a delightful celebration, perfect for gift-giving, holiday parties, or just cozying up with a mug of hot cocoa. Trust me, once you try this Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe, it will become a holiday staple you’ll reach for year after year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this festive treat is a breeze because each component plays a crucial role in making these cookies soft, sweet, and full of holiday charm.
- Vanilla or white cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): The base that gives the cookies their tender crumb and subtle sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Adds richness and helps create a tender texture.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and contribute to the cookie’s moistness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor with a warm, familiar sweetness.
- Almond extract (½ teaspoon, optional): Brings a hint of nutty aroma that pairs beautifully with vanilla.
- Red and green sprinkles or nonpareils (½ cup): Infuse festive color and a slight crunch for that cheerful holiday vibe.
- White chocolate chips or mini M&Ms (½ cup, optional): Boost the flavor and add playful texture and bursts of sweetness.
How to Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the sheet effortlessly without sticking or burning underneath.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine your cake mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. Mix everything together until you get a soft, slightly sticky dough. It should feel just right to scoop and shape without crumbling or sticking excessively to your fingers.
Step 3: Fold in the Festive Add-Ins
Gently fold in the red and green sprinkles for that signature Christmas pop, and if you want, add white chocolate chips or mini M&Ms. These additions not only bring flavor but also a cheerful texture that makes each cookie special.
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet to give them room to spread just a bit. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges look set but the centers remain slightly soft—this keeps your cookies wonderfully chewy and tender.
Step 5: Cool Your Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This rest prevents them from breaking apart. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely and enjoy that perfect texture with every bite!
How to Serve Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are festive just as they are, you can sprinkle a few extra sugar crystals or colored sanding sugar on top right after shaping for an extra sparkle. If you want to get creative, a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a light dusting of powdered sugar can turn these cookies into holiday showstoppers.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a warm cup of hot cocoa or your favorite holiday coffee blend for a system-comfort duo. They pair wonderfully with holiday fruit compotes or a simple bowl of mixed nuts for a fuller holiday snack spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe on a festive platter surrounded by holly leaves or pine sprigs to amplify the holiday vibe. Alternatively, stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons for charming homemade gift packages everyone will appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Layer them with parchment paper between stacks to prevent sticking and preserve their delightful texture and flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies easily by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid and then transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cookies will maintain their flavor and texture for up to 3 months, making them perfect for planning ahead for busy holiday days.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe fresh from the freezer, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This quick heat will restore their soft texture and warm the festive flavors just right.
FAQs
Can I use a chocolate cake mix instead of vanilla?
Absolutely! Chocolate, red velvet, or spice cake mixes all work wonderfully for this recipe, each adding its own unique twist to your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe.
Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?
No refrigeration is necessary unless your kitchen is extremely warm. They stay perfectly fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for several days.
Can I substitute the butter with oil?
Butter is preferred for flavor and texture, but if needed, you can try oil. Keep in mind the texture may become more cake-like and slightly less rich.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The recipe depends on the cake mix you choose. If you pick a gluten-free cake mix, then yes, these can be gluten-free!
Can I skip the almond extract?
Yes! The almond extract adds a lovely nuance, but the cookies taste fantastic even without it, making the recipe very flexible.
Final Thoughts
This Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe is hands-down one of the easiest, most joyful ways to bake your holiday season merrier. It combines simplicity with festive fun, and the results are always irresistible. Give it a try this year, and I promise you’ll be eager to revisit this recipe whenever you crave that perfect bite of holiday magic.
Print
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are a festive and easy-to-make treat perfect for the holiday season. Made with a simple combination of cake mix, butter, eggs, and colorful sprinkles, they deliver a soft, chewy texture and delightful sweetness. Optional mix-ins like white chocolate chips or mini M&Ms add an extra burst of flavor and fun. Ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or gifting, these cookies come together quickly and freeze well for convenience.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Mix-ins and Decorations
- ½ cup red and green sprinkles or nonpareils
- ½ cup white chocolate chips or mini M&Ms (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Stir the mixture until it forms a soft dough consistency. Make sure all ingredients are well incorporated but do not overmix.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the red and green sprinkles along with any optional mix-ins like white chocolate chips or mini M&Ms to add color and extra sweetness to your cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Place the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers appear slightly soft. This ensures a chewy texture.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Feel free to experiment with different cake mix flavors such as chocolate, red velvet, or spice for unique variations.
- These cookies freeze well; store them in an airtight container or freezer bag to enjoy later.
- Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, gifting, or festive celebrations.
