Festive Cake Mix Cookie Delights

Easy 4-Ingredient Christmas Cake Mix Cookies: Your Go-To Festive Recipe

Get ready for the easiest and most delightful holiday baking experience with our **Christmas Cake Mix Cookies**! This incredible recipe requires only 4 ingredients and comes together in mere minutes, making it the perfect treat for busy festive seasons. These cookies are wonderfully light, unbelievably fluffy, and bursting with cheerful Christmas spirit thanks to vibrant sprinkles. They are guaranteed to become a beloved part of your holiday dessert spread, bringing joy to everyone who tries them.

Christmas Cake Mix Cookies stacked, covered in red and green sprinkles
Stacked Christmas Cake Mix Cookies with festive sprinkles

My kids absolutely adore these sprinkle-filled cookies, and their vibrant colors make them truly beautiful additions to any holiday table. Don’t miss out on exploring all our other Christmas desserts and our special 12 Days of Christmas Cookies series for more festive inspiration. The secret to these cookies’ incredible simplicity and speed is a basic cake mix, transforming your baking from a chore into a joyous activity in just minutes.

If you’re looking for more quick and delicious holiday treats, you might also enjoy our Christmas No Bake Cookies, classic Shortbread Christmas Cookies, and fun Christmas Wreath Cookies. And for those craving a festive cake, our Christmas Dump Cake Recipe is a must-try!

What’s in this post: Easy Christmas Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

  • Why You’ll Love These Easy Christmas Cookies
  • Simple Ingredients Needed
  • Creative Cake Mix Cookie Variations
  • Step-by-Step: How to Make Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
  • Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Cookies
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Explore More Easy Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
  • Discover Other Easy Christmas Cookie Ideas
  • Full Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe Card

Why You’ll Love These Easy Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

These Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a holiday lifesaver! Here’s why this recipe stands out and why it’s guaranteed to become a fast favorite in your home:

  • Unbeatable Simplicity: Only 4 Ingredients! In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, simplicity is a true gift. This recipe uses a minimal ingredient list, meaning less shopping, less prep time, and fewer dishes. You likely have most of these items in your pantry already, making last-minute baking a breeze.
  • Perfectly Festive for Holiday Parties: With their vibrant red and green sprinkles, these cookies instantly add a touch of festive cheer to any gathering. They’re ideal for cookie exchanges, potlucks, school parties, or simply enjoying with your family while watching holiday movies. Their delightful appearance makes them a standout treat.
  • Irresistibly Soft and Delicious: Each bite of these cookies offers a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is simply divine. The cake mix base ensures a consistently soft and fluffy cookie that tastes like it took hours, but only took minutes to prepare. They’re sweet, comforting, and utterly delicious – a true crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Simple Ingredients Needed for Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

The magic of these cookies lies in their straightforward ingredient list. You’ll be amazed at how such a simple combination can create such a wonderful holiday treat. This minimalist approach allows you to spend less time gathering ingredients and more time enjoying the baking process with loved ones.

Ingredients needed: white cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, red and green sprinkles on a wooden board.
Just four simple ingredients make these festive cookies.
  • White Cake Mix: This is the secret shortcut! A standard box of white cake mix provides the perfect base for these soft and fluffy cookies.
  • Eggs: Essential for binding the dough and adding moisture, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps create a moist, chewy cookie and keeps them from drying out.
  • Red and Green Christmas Sprinkles: The festive touch! These not only add holiday color but also a delightful crunch and extra sweetness. Make sure to have plenty for mixing into the dough and rolling the cookies in.

You’ll find the complete, precise list of measurements and specific instructions in the detailed recipe card at the very bottom of this post.

Creative Cake Mix Cookies Variations:

While the classic Christmas cake mix cookie is fantastic on its own, there are many ways to customize and enhance this simple recipe to suit your taste or occasion. Get creative and make these cookies uniquely yours!

  • Ice the Cookies: For an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal, consider topping your cooled cookies with a simple vanilla or cream cheese frosting. You can even dye the frosting festive colors or add more sprinkles on top of the icing.
  • Add Chocolate Chips: Introduce a delightful chocolatey element by mixing in white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even dark chocolate chunks into the cookie batter. White chocolate chips pair especially well with the festive sprinkles!
  • Experiment with Cake Mix Flavors: While we love the white cake mix for its classic canvas, feel free to use other cake mix flavors. A chocolate cake mix would create a rich, dark cookie, or a strawberry cake mix could add a lovely pink hue and fruity flavor. Funfetti cake mix is also a great choice for even more sprinkles!
  • Change the Sprinkles: Don’t limit yourself to just red and green! Use silver and gold sprinkles for a more elegant look, or try crushed peppermint candies for a minty twist. Chocolate sprinkles, nonpareils, or even edible glitter can also elevate the festive factor.
  • Make Cookie Sandwiches: For an extra special treat, take two cooled cookies and sandwich a dollop of frosting (like cream cheese frosting or buttercream) in between them. This creates a decadent and impressive dessert.
  • Sparkling Sugar Cookies: If you love that extra sparkle and crunch, sprinkle granulated sugar or sparkling sugar on top of the cookie dough balls before baking. This gives them a beautiful, glistening finish similar to traditional sugar cookies.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Delicious Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

Making these festive cookies is incredibly simple, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a batch of delicious Christmas treats in no time.

  • Step 1. Prepare the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as your cookies are ready to go in.
Mixing bowl with cake mix, eggs, oil, and sprinkles combined.
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of white cake mix, the eggs, the vegetable oil, and a quarter cup of your festive Christmas sprinkles. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until a thick dough forms. You can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for ease, or mix by hand with a sturdy spoon or spatula. Don’t worry if the batter seems thick; this is perfectly normal for cake mix cookies and contributes to their soft texture.

Dough balls being rolled in sprinkles.
Roll dough balls in the remaining sprinkles.

Step 3. Form and Decorate Cookie Dough Balls: Use a cookie scoop to portion out even amounts of cookie dough. This helps ensure all your cookies are roughly the same size and bake evenly. Once scooped, gently roll each cookie dough ball in the remaining Christmas sprinkles. This step ensures a generous coating of festive color on the outside of each cookie, making them extra appealing.

Cookies placed on a baking sheet, ready to bake.
Arrange cookies on a baking sheet, spaced apart.

Step 4. Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sprinkle-coated cookie dough balls onto prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie. This allows them to spread slightly during baking without touching, ensuring perfectly round and beautifully formed cookies. For easy cleanup, consider lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Freshly baked cookies cooling on a baking sheet.
Baked cookies cooling on a wire rack.

Step 5. Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they are done when the edges are just slightly golden brown. The centers might still look a little soft, but they will set as they cool. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking and ensures they hold their shape.

Essential Recipe Tips for Perfect Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

Achieving the perfect cake mix cookie is easy with a few simple tricks. These tips will help ensure your festive treats turn out beautifully every time, from consistent baking to easy cleanup.

  • Utilize a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop is an invaluable tool for this recipe. It helps create uniformly sized cookie dough balls, which is crucial for even baking. When cookies are all the same size, they bake at the same rate, preventing some from being overdone while others are undercooked.
  • Proper Cooling for Best Texture: After baking, it’s essential to let your cookies cool properly. Allow them to set on the hot baking sheet for about 5 minutes immediately after coming out of the oven. This initial cooling period allows the cookies to firm up. Then, transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy and ensures a perfect, tender texture throughout.
  • Line Your Baking Sheets: For effortless cleanup and to prevent sticking, always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures your beautiful cookies lift off the pan easily without breaking, and you won’t have to scrub sticky residue later.
  • Stick to the 4 Ingredients: Remember, you only need the specified 4 ingredients for these cookies: cake mix, eggs, oil, and sprinkles. Do NOT add any additional ingredients that might be listed on the back of the cake mix box (like water or extra oil). Those instructions are for making a cake, not cookies.
  • Generous Sprinkle Coating: To achieve that wonderfully festive, sprinkle-covered look, generously roll the formed cookie dough balls in the remaining sprinkles. Don’t be shy! This ensures the sprinkles adhere well and creates a vibrant, eye-catching exterior that truly says “Christmas.”
  • Avoid Overmixing: Once you’ve added all the ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies. A thick batter is normal, so stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks remain.
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies stacked with a bite taken out, showing the soft interior.
A close-up of a stack of Christmas Cake Mix Cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Do you add sprinkles before baking?

Yes, for these particular cake mix cookies, we incorporate sprinkles in two stages. A portion of the sprinkles is mixed directly into the cookie dough, and then, after rolling the cookie batter into individual balls, we roll them generously in the remaining sprinkles. This ensures a beautiful, festive coating that adheres and slightly bakes into the cookie, providing color and texture throughout.

How do you get the sprinkles to stick?

The best way to get the sprinkles to stick is to roll the slightly sticky cake mix dough balls directly into a bowl of sprinkles. The natural moisture and tackiness of the dough will act as a natural adhesive. Make sure to generously coat the cookies, gently pressing them into the sprinkles if needed, to ensure maximum coverage and a vibrant, festive look.

How to store the cookies?

To maintain their freshness and soft texture, store your cooled Christmas Cake Mix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Placed in a cool, dry spot, they will typically remain fresh and delicious for about one week. For best results, place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking.

How to freeze the cookies?

Freezing these cookies is a fantastic way to prepare for holiday entertaining in advance or to simply save some for later enjoyment. First, ensure the cookies are completely cooled to prevent ice crystals from forming. Place the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Freezing them individually allows you to easily grab a few servings without defrosting the entire batch. To enjoy, simply defrost them at room temperature for an hour or two. They’re usually ready in time for dessert after dinner!

Explore More Easy Cake Mix Cookie Recipes

If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these Christmas Cake Mix Cookies, you’re in for a treat! The versatility of cake mix means there’s a whole world of quick and easy cookie recipes waiting for you. Dive into these other fantastic cake mix cookie ideas:

  • Classic Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
  • Rich Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
  • Decadent Double Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
  • Cream Cheese Cake Mix Cookies
  • Sweet Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

Discover Other Easy Christmas Cookie Ideas

The holiday season is synonymous with cookies! If you’re looking to expand your festive baking repertoire beyond cake mix cookies, here are some more simple and delicious Christmas cookie recipes that are sure to spread holiday cheer:

  • Colorful Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
  • Chewy M&M Christmas Cookies
  • Fun and Easy Grinch Cookies Recipe
  • Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
  • Adorable Reindeer Cookies 
  • Classic Candy Cane Cookies

Don’t wait to bring some holiday magic into your kitchen. Make these incredibly easy and utterly delicious Christmas Cake Mix Cookies today! We love hearing from you, so please leave a comment below and share your thoughts and experiences.

Review
Pin
Print

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies





4.80 from 73 votes
These delightful Christmas cake mix cookies are an incredibly easy and festive treat, made with only 4 simple ingredients. They are wonderfully light and fluffy, creating the perfect dessert for any holiday occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cool 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 24
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 138
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 1 white cake mix (15.25 oz box)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
  • 1 cup Red and Green Christmas Sprinkles (plus extra for rolling)
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the box of cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and ¼ cup of the Christmas Sprinkles. Mix with an electric mixer or by hand until a thick dough forms. The batter will be thick, which is normal for this recipe.
  • Use a cookie scoop to portion out the cookie dough balls. Roll each ball in the remaining Christmas sprinkles to coat completely. Place the coated cookie dough balls on the prepared cookie sheets, ensuring about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are slightly golden brown. The centers may still look soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for approximately 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breakage.
  • Serve warm for an extra comforting treat, or enjoy them once fully cooled. Enjoy your festive Christmas Cake Mix Cookies!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories 138kcal, Carbohydrates 19g, Protein 2g, Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 14mg, Sodium 154mg, Potassium 64mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 13g, Vitamin A 20IU, Calcium 29mg, Iron 1mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe