Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe

Bring festive flair and unbeatable simplicity to your holiday baking with these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies. If you love effortless recipes that still deliver on both taste and color, this is one you’ll reach for over and over. Each bite is like a snow day for your tastebuds—tender, sweet, and packed with the colors of the season thanks to plenty of sprinkles, M&Ms, and creamy white chocolate chips. Whether you’re making them for a cookie swap, Santa’s plate, or just because you want a quick batch of cheery treats, these cookies capture classic holiday spirit with barely any fuss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The real magic of Cake Mix Christmas Cookies starts with their ultra-simple ingredient list, each one playing its part to create cookies that are soft, colorful, and perfectly festive. Don’t underestimate the power of a few well-chosen kitchen staples—these are what guarantee the cookies’ tender crumb and crowd-pleasing flavor.

• Boxed vanilla or white cake mix: The shortcut to sweet, fluffy cookies that taste entirely homemade.
• Large eggs: These help bind everything together and ensure your cookies are rich and chewy.
• Vegetable oil: Oil keeps the cookies moist even after a few days—a total game-changer for holiday cookies.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the sweetness and adds warmth to the dough.
• Red and green sprinkles or holiday M&Ms: These add irresistible crunch, color, and that unmistakable Christmas cheer.
• White chocolate chips (optional): For a little creamy decadence in every bite, mix in white chocolate chips.

How to Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps things mess-free and ensures your cookies lift effortlessly once baked—no sticky bottoms here.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together with a sturdy spoon or spatula until you have a thick, glossy dough. It’s supposed to be very dense, so don’t worry if it feels different from traditional cookie dough.

Step 3: Add Festive Fun

Once your dough is evenly mixed, gently fold in the red and green sprinkles, holiday M&Ms, and, if you’re in the mood for extra indulgence, the white chocolate chips. Stir just until everything is evenly distributed—over-mixing can crush your sprinkles and M&Ms.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to portion out even balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Make sure they’re about 2 inches apart—these cookies like their personal space while they bake! Pop your sheet into the oven and let them bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers still look a little soft.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Let your cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes after baking, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without getting too crisp, resulting in that amazing soft-baked texture we all crave in Cake Mix Christmas Cookies.

How to Serve Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Garnishes

For an extra dose of holiday sparkle, press a few more sprinkles or M&Ms into the tops of the cookies while they’re still warm. You can also drizzle with a little melted white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving for a snow-kissed finish.

Side Dishes

Pair Cake Mix Christmas Cookies with mugs of hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or even festive eggnog for a treat that’s made for fireside chats and tree decorating parties. They also love sharing a plate with other holiday treats like fudge or peppermint bark for a full-on dessert buffet.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your batch into homemade holiday gifts by stacking cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or arranging them in pretty tins. Consider a cookie platter with a mix of flavors, or use these as a colorful edible centerpiece at your holiday table. For a kid-friendly touch, let little hands decorate their own cookies with more candies, icing, or colored sugars.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay soft and lovely for up to 5 days. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat to ensure those festive colors stay bright and the cookies don’t dry out.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. Once cooled, tuck them into airtight freezer bags with sheets of parchment in between layers. When you need a sweet fix (or a last-minute holiday treat), just thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Reheating

To bring that fresh-from-the-oven vibe back, pop a few cookies onto a plate and microwave for 7–10 seconds—they’ll taste soft, warm, and just-baked again! Avoid baking them again in the oven, or they might dry out.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix instead of vanilla?

Absolutely! Spice or chocolate cake mix gives your batch a delicious twist, and you’ll still get that signature soft texture. Just swap in whatever flavor sounds best for your version of Cake Mix Christmas Cookies.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Nope! This dough comes together so quickly and is ready to bake the moment you finish mixing. No need to plan ahead or deal with sticky dough—just scoop and go.

Can I double the recipe for a big crowd?

Definitely. Just double each ingredient and bake in batches. It’s perfect for cookie swaps, holiday parties, or gifting to loved ones, and you won’t need any extra time or steps.

What’s the best way to keep the cookies ultra-soft?

Seal them in an airtight container as soon as they’re cool, and avoid stacking them when they’re still warm. You can also slip a slice of white bread into the container—the bread helps maintain moisture and softness for days.

Are there any fun mix-in ideas besides M&Ms and sprinkles?

Absolutely! Crushed peppermint candies, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, or butterscotch chips all make fantastic additions. Customize your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies so they feel special to you or your loved ones.

Final Thoughts

These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies might be the easiest cookies you make this season, but you’d never guess it from the way everyone raves. They’re festive, soft, and endlessly customizable for gatherings or gifting. Give them a try this holiday, and get ready to watch the smiles—and sprinkles—fly!

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