The holiday season is all about gathering with loved ones, indulging in sweet treats, and sharing joy through food. If you’re looking for a festive, easy-to-make recipe that will impress your friends and family, these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are the perfect choice. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of colorful, chewy cookies that capture the spirit of Christmas. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is designed to be foolproof and fun.
In this article, I’ll take you through the step-by-step process of making these delightful cookies, and I’ll share tips for personalizing them to suit your taste or gifting them during the holiday season. And don’t forget to visit my website [insert your website link] for more holiday recipes that will bring a touch of magic to your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
Christmas is a time for baking, but let’s face it — between shopping, decorating, and entertaining, there’s not always time to bake everything from scratch. That’s where these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies come in. Using cake mix as the base for these cookies cuts down on prep time, ensuring you can enjoy delicious holiday cookies without the fuss of measuring and mixing flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients. Plus, the cookies come out perfectly soft and chewy every time.
Here are just a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- Quick and Easy: With just five main ingredients, these cookies come together in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Festive and Fun: The red and green sprinkles, white chocolate chips, or festive M&M’s add a pop of color, making these cookies ideal for holiday parties or cookie swaps.
- Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe by switching up the sprinkles or adding your favorite mix-ins like nuts or other types of chocolate.
Now, let’s dive into the recipe!
Recipe: Cake Mix Christmas Cookies 🍪
Ingredients:
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar
- Optional: White chocolate chips or festive M&M’s
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Before you get started, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture forms a soft, sticky dough. If the dough seems too sticky to handle, you can refrigerate it for about 10 minutes to make it easier to work with.
3. Add Festive Mix-Ins: Fold in half of your festive add-ins — this could be red and green sprinkles, white chocolate chips, or M&M’s. You can choose one or a combination of these to give your cookies that extra holiday flair. Be careful not to overmix, as you don’t want to crush the sprinkles or M&M’s.
4. Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll it into balls. The dough will be slightly sticky, but that’s okay — it will create the perfect chewy texture once baked. Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave about 2 inches between each ball to allow for spreading.
5. Decorate: Once your dough balls are on the baking sheet, gently flatten them with your palm. Now comes the fun part — sprinkle the tops of the cookies with additional red and green sprinkles to give them that festive touch. This is a great step to get the kids involved!
6. Bake: Place the cookies in your preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes. Keep an eye on them — you want the edges to be set, but the centers should still be soft. This ensures a chewy texture. Avoid overbaking, as this can make the cookies dry.
7. Cool: Once the cookies are done baking, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial, as it helps the cookies set without becoming too hard.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are ready to enjoy! Serve them on a festive platter for your holiday parties, or package them up in cute boxes or bags for gifting. These cookies are perfect for neighbors, teachers, or anyone who deserves a little holiday sweetness.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
Tips for the Perfect Cake Mix Christmas Cookie
To make sure your cookies come out perfect every time, here are a few helpful tips:
1. Chill the Dough if Necessary:
If your dough is too sticky to work with, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. This will firm up the dough and make it easier to roll into balls.
2. Don’t Overbake:
The key to soft and chewy cookies is not overbaking them. Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly undercooked. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
3. Get Creative with Mix-Ins:
While the recipe suggests sprinkles, white chocolate chips, and M&M’s, you can get creative with other festive mix-ins. Try chopped candy canes, dried cranberries, or even crushed peppermint bark for a more unique flavor.
4. Use Cake Mix Variations:
While this recipe calls for white or vanilla cake mix, feel free to experiment with other flavors like chocolate, red velvet, or spice cake for a different twist on the cookies.
Gifting Ideas: Share the Sweetness
One of the best things about these cookies is that they make excellent holiday gifts. Here are some fun ideas for packaging and presenting your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies:
1. Holiday Cookie Jars:
Layer your cookies in a mason jar and tie a festive ribbon around the top. You can also add a little tag with the cookie recipe, so your recipient can make them at home!
2. Festive Cookie Boxes:
Find holiday-themed cookie boxes or tins, line them with tissue paper, and arrange the cookies inside. This is a great option for bringing to holiday gatherings or giving to coworkers.
3. Personalized Cookie Bags:
For an extra-special touch, place a few cookies in clear cellophane bags and tie them with personalized tags or name cards. These make adorable stocking stuffers or party favors.
Fun Variations to Try
One of the best things about these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies is how adaptable they are. While the classic red and green sprinkles scream Christmas, there are so many different ways you can adjust this recipe for other holidays, events, or simply to suit your taste preferences. Here are some fun variations to try:
1. Holiday-Themed Colors:
The red and green sprinkles are perfect for Christmas, but you can easily change the sprinkle colors for different occasions. For example, use pink and red sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween. You can create year-round fun with this simple tweak!
2. Peppermint Twist:
For a festive and wintry flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough and mix in crushed candy canes instead of sprinkles. This gives the cookies a delightful minty flavor, perfect for pairing with hot chocolate during those cold December nights.
3. Chocolate Lover’s Delight:
If you’re a chocolate lover, switch out the white or vanilla cake mix for a chocolate cake mix. Add dark chocolate chips and festive M&M’s for an extra indulgent treat. You could even drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for an extra touch of decadence.
4. Nutty Variations:
For added crunch, mix in 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. This works especially well with a spice cake mix and gives the cookies a bit more texture and richness.
5. Gingerbread Version:
Turn these cookies into gingerbread-flavored delights by using spice cake mix and adding 1 teaspoon of ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Top the cookies with cinnamon-sugar instead of sprinkles for a cozy, holiday flavor that will remind everyone of gingerbread men.
These variations allow you to enjoy Cake Mix Cookies no matter the occasion, giving you endless possibilities for new creations.
Make It a New Holiday Tradition
Baking these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies can easily become a cherished holiday tradition. Whether you bake them for a cookie swap, a festive gathering, or just as a fun family activity, the simplicity and joy of this recipe will keep you coming back year after year. Plus, with so many ways to customize and package them, you’ll always have a reason to whip up another batch.
For more delicious holiday recipes and baking ideas, be sure to visit my website [insert your website link] where I share more quick and easy recipes to make your holiday season even sweeter!
Happy baking and happy holidays!