There’s nothing I love more than an easy boxed cake mix hack, and these 3-ingredient cake mix cookies are the perfect example of why! Making cookies from cake mix means I don’t have to do any measuring of dry ingredients, so I simply can’t mess up. With this one recipe, I can turn any box of cake mix into soft, fluffy, cakey cookies, and there are so many flavor variations to try. So it’s basically like having an endless list of cake mix cookie recipes on hand!
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These cookies are one of my favorite baking hacks, and I’m going to show you exactly how to make cookies from cake mix too. Spoiler alert: it’s the easiest baking recipe you’ll ever make. So easy, the kids will be able to help!
I’m also sharing some of my favorite easy cake mix cookie recipes for you to try, along with more flavor variations and ideas. I love how creative you can get with these. Start with your preferred flavor of cake mix (chocolate, yellow, vanilla, strawberry, etc), and the sky is the limit!
3 Ingredients to Make Cake Mix Cookies
- Box of Cake Mix: Use any type of mix you like, any brand and any flavor. Grab a standard size box mix (15.25 ounces) for these recipes.
- Eggs: Use 2 eggs (a cake mix will call for 3, but only use 2 when making cookies).
- Oil: Vegetable oil works best here. You’ll need ½ cup of oil per standard box of cake mix. You can substitute the same amount of melted butter if you prefer, though it may change the texture.
- Add-ins & Toppings (optional): Chocolate chips, caramel, powdered sugar, flavor extracts, food coloring, nuts, candies, cinnamon & other spices, etc.
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I’ve made quite a few cake mix cookie recipes now and all I want to do is come up with more recipes using this simple hack!
Tips for the Best Cakey Cookies
- Chill your cookie dough. After placing scoops of dough onto the baking sheet, place it in the refrigerator for 5-15 minutes (however much time you have). This will help the cookies keep their shape instead of going flat in the oven. I especially recommend this step if you’re baking in a warm kitchen.
- Use butter instead of oil. Either one works and they both lead to delicious cookies. Oil will give you a slightly crisper result (like traditional cookies), while butter should give you extra rich, cake-y and fluffy cookies.
- Sift the dry cake mix. This will help remove clumps, and add a little more airiness to the texture.
- Don’t over-mix the batter. Just mix until the dry ingredients are fully moistened. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies!
- Add more flour. If you feel like your cookies still spread too much, come out thin and flat, or are too crispy, try adding more all-purpose flour into the mix next time (I go 1 tablespoon at a time). This will thicken the dough and make it less sticky as well.
- Add fresh baking powder. If you need to freshen up an older box of cake mix, add 1 teaspoon of fresh baking powder. This is the main leavening agent to help your cake cookies rise in the oven.
Cake Box Cookies Variations
The best thing about these cookies is how easy it is to make your own flavor variations. Just grab any flavor of boxed cake mix you like, pick your mix-ins and toppings, and you can have a unique cookie with a cake-y, fluffy texture. Here are some ideas!
- S’mores: Use chocolate cake mix and mix in (or top with) mini marshmallows and crumbled graham crackers.
- Chocolate Dipped Strawberry: Use a strawberry cake mix, then dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate. Refrigerate to harden the chocolate, then serve.
- M&M Cookies: Use any cake flavor you like for this one (I like a yellow cake mix) and top with M&Ms before baking.
- Pumpkin Spice: In the fall, it’s pretty easy to find pumpkin cake mixes at the store, so take full advantage and turn it into cookies! Sprinkle with extra pumpkin spice and/or a simple cream cheese frosting.
- Mocha: Mix espresso powder into a box of chocolate cake mix to infuse it with an extra rich flavor. You can add espresso baking chips too!
5-Star Reviews
“Hi, this is the first time I’ve tried the recipe. They came out perfectly round and beautiful ! I’m going to frost and decorate them when they cool. Thanks for the awesome recipe!” – Melisa H.
“Made these today with my 4 year old daughter and they are the best cookies we have ever made! Did 2 versions: Lindt dark chocolate and funfetti cookies <3” – Fatima
Follow the recipe card for a basic recipe of How to Make Cookies from Cake Mix. Then feel free to swap out the cake mix flavor and add-ins to your heart’s desire!
How to Make Cookies from Cake Mix
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Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces cake mix 432 grams, any flavor (1 box)
- 2 large eggs 100 grams
- ½ cup vegetable oil 100 grams, or substitute the same amount of melted butter
- optional mix-ins chocolate chips, candies, nuts, etc.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine dry cake mix, eggs, and oil.15.25 ounces cake mix, 2 large eggs, ½ cup vegetable oil
- If using any mix-ins (like chocolate chips), fold them into the batter.optional mix-ins
- Scoop the dough into balls and drop onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake cookies at 350°F for 8-12 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for at least 5 minutes before eating or moving to a cooling rack.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- If your dough seems a little sticky, try adding a bit of all-purpose flour!
- If your cookies are spreading too thin in the oven, chill the tray of scooped cookie dough in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking.
- If you need to freshen up an older box of cake mix, add 1 teaspoon of fresh baking powder.
Nutrition Information
I would love to see your cake mix cookie recipes! There are already so many great ideas in the comments, so join in and share what flavor variations you made.
How to Store Cake Mix Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the parchment-lined pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. Let them cool fully to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container or resealable bag. Keep them on the counter or in the pantry (room temp) up to 3-4 days for best quality.
To freeze, lay them flat on a sheet pan and freeze for about 30 minutes to harden (this prevents them from sticking together). Then place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving, and warm them up if you like!
Most boxed mixes will contain all of the dry ingredients you’d need to make a cake, measured and portioned out. Specific ingredients will vary, but it should contain flour, sugar, and a leavening agent (baking soda and/or powder).
You can really use any kind you like, so pick your favorite brand and/or flavor.
Yes! You can use the same amount of melted butter in place of the vegetable oil.
The main issue with an older box of mix is that the leavening agent may not work well. To fix this, add in fresh baking powder/soda and the rest of the mix should be fine. (That being said, if it’s more than 1 year past its expiration date, you might want to throw it out to be on the safe side.)
Yes! Follow this brownie cookies recipe instead. Or try these S’mores Brownie Cookies or M&M Brownie Cookies.
Besides, cake, cupcakes, cake pops, and cookies, use boxed mix to make these Strawberry Cake Mix Donuts or Cake Mix Coffee Cake!
15 Easy Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
These are some of my favorite cake mix cookie recipes from The Cookie Rookie and from other bloggers. Some of them are more simple and straightforward, while other recipes really take cake mix cookies to the next level. But they’re all delicious and so easy to make!
- Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies – The Cookie Rookie
- Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies – The Cookie Rookie
- Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies – The Cookie Rookie
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies – The Cookie Rookie
- Salted Caramel Brownie Mix Cookies – The Cookie Rookie
- Confetti Cake Cookies – Easy Dessert Recipes
- White Cake Batter Cookies – Easy Dessert Recipes
- Red Velvet Cake Crinkle Cookies – Easy Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies – Inside BruCrew Life
- Rainbow Sprinkle-Fetti Cookies – Frugal Foodie Mama
- Lemon Cake Mix Cookies – Beyond Frosting
- Eggnog Cake Mix Cookies – Dessert for Two
- Fudge Marble Cookies – Persnickety Plates
- Easy Butterfinger Brownie Cookies – Blackberry Babe
- Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Cookies – Mom on Timeout
I hope this guide helped you learn How to Make Cookies from Cake Mix! I just love coming up with fun recipes, so don’t be surprised if you see a few more here in the future. These are so easy to make, and a fun recipe to bake with the kids too!
I’ve made these cookies before but have a question. Can you roll the batter out and make one large rectangular cookie?
I make these to create ice cream sandwiches, but I want to cut them into squares or rectangles.
You could certainly try, although we’re not sure that the center would bake through. We would suggest getting a square cookie cutter and pressing it into the baked cookies as soon as they come out of the oven (while still warm and soft) to get a more square shape!
What changes do I need to make to the basic recipe to work at altitude. Can I assume a tablespoon of flour? Any additional oil or other liquir (Water?). I am at 6000 ft. Thanks!
We don’t have much experience baking at altitude, but we have heard 2-4 tablespoons of flour and additional oil or water if needed.
Thank you!
I used a butter cake mix with a stick of butter instead of oil and added butter flavoring. I pressed pecans in half. The other half have dark chocolate chips inside and are rolled in sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. They were definitely the favored ones.
They look great!
Butter, instead of oil, was EXACTLY what I wanted to know. I’ve got orange cake mix and white chocolate chips and I’m off to the kitchen. Thanks to both of you!
Sorry! I haven’t tried the recipe yet looking for something quick. Live in Western KY. in the month of December 2021 we had a bad tornado go through we are feeding many hungry Souls. Need something fast and quick to fix as a dessert for their meal will try to get back with you thank you so much for your input it will be very helpful. Best
Wishes for your future.
These are very easy, do not take much time, and still taste great! Such a kind person!
I used an orange cake mix added a teaspoon of orange extract, white chocolate chips and a few fresh macadamia nuts I had on hand. They were delicious! Love making cookies from cake minx . Another favorite is snickerdoodles from yellow cake mix. Just roll in cinnamon and sugar and bake.
Thanks for sharing, Connie!
I love making cake cookies, specially strawberry. My only issue is for some reason I can not get them to stay fluffy, they always flatten out no matter what. Is there something I can do differently to get them to stay nice and fluffy?
A little more flour or cooling the dough before baking.
Change out the oil and use 1/2 tub cool whip
I add an 8oz block of softened cream cheese. My families favorite is butter pecan cake mix and I always add about 1 cup chopped pecans along with the egg and oil.
I saw somewhere if it’s a regular size box cake mix to add 1/2 c flour to the dry mix
Is there a way to make them crispy and not cakey?
It might be a bit difficult since the base is a cake mix!
I used only 1 egg and 1/2 stick butter, not oil, after reading up on crispier cookies. Much better. May try adding a little extra sugar next time which loosens the structure.
I don’t like cakey or fluffy cookies either.
Probably the wrong recipe for you dear but I bet you will find the right one for you.
It’s so easy to make these cookies and they are so delicious
Thanks for stopping by, Letha!
I think we might be related as my maiden name is hardin what a coincidence huh? tried your cookies yum
How interesting!! :) I’m so glad you loved the cookies!!
I made the strawberry with white chocolate chips, and the smores, and the cherry bombs, and had more compliments than ever before,, I was amazed, thank you for sharing these with us.
That is so awesome!!!!! I know, I’m obsessed with trying different flavors!
What is a cherry bomb?