Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Easy Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe: Sweet Joy in Every Bite

Sweet surprises await when you master these delightful cake mix crinkle cookies that melt in your mouth.

Powdered sugar coats each delectable morsel, creating a magical texture.

Bakers love how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these treats irresistible.

One bite transports you to dessert heaven with minimal effort.

Mixing happens in minutes, promising delicious results that spark joy.

Why Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Are a Fun Favorite

  • Quick and Simple Preparation: Craft delightful cookies using just a few ingredients and minimal kitchen skills, perfect for baking novices or busy home cooks looking for a stress-free dessert.
  • Festive Holiday Charm: Create colorful red and green cookies that add a playful touch to seasonal gatherings, making them ideal for Christmas parties, family celebrations, or potluck dessert tables.
  • Versatile Cake Mix Magic: Transform a basic cake mix into delicious crinkle cookies with minimal extra ingredients, offering a clever shortcut for satisfying sweet cravings without complex baking techniques.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Project: Engage children in a fun cooking activity where they can help roll dough balls, coat them in powdered sugar, and enjoy the excitement of creating tasty treats together.

Ingredients for Making Crinkle Cookies from Cake Mix

For the Cake Base:
  • Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides the primary flavor and structure for the cookies.
For the Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide moisture to the cookie dough.
  • Oil: Ensures the cookies remain soft and tender with a smooth texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet background flavor to enhance the overall taste.
For the Optional Color and Coating:
  • Red Food Coloring, Green Food Coloring: Allows for festive color variations of the cookies.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a classic crinkle cookie exterior with a beautiful white coating.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Can be used to adjust dough consistency if needed.

How to Bake Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Easily

Step 1: Prep the Baking Space

Get your oven ready by heating it to 375F (190C). Line a baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Create the Cookie Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine:
  • Eggs
  • Oil
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cake mix

Stir everything together until the mixture looks smooth and fully blended.

Step 3: Add a Splash of Color (Optional)

Split the dough into two equal portions.

In separate bowls, add food coloring:
  • Red to one portion
  • Green to the other

Mix thoroughly until the color spreads evenly throughout each dough section.

Step 4: Chill and Relax the Dough

Pop the dough into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

This cooling time helps the dough firm up, making it easier to shape and ensures your cookies will be beautifully fluffy.

Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat

Grab a tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough.

Roll each scoop into a ball and generously coat with powdered sugar. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour and mix well.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sugar-coated dough balls into the preheated oven. Bake for 9-11 minutes until they’re just right.

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a minute or two, then transfer to a cooling rack to complete their transformation.

Tips to Perfect Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

  • Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure soft, fluffy cookies that maintain their shape during baking.
  • Dust cookies generously with powdered sugar before baking for that classic crinkle effect and beautiful white-cracked appearance.
  • Experiment with different cake mix flavors like chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet to create unique cookie variations that suit your taste preferences.
  • Keep an eye on baking time, as ovens vary; cookies should be slightly soft in the center when removed, allowing them to firm up while cooling.
  • Add festive touches by incorporating holiday-themed food coloring or mixing in extra ingredients like chocolate chips or sprinkles for more excitement.
  • Gluten-Free Crinkle Cookies: Replace cake mix with gluten-free cake mix or a blend of almond flour, coconut flour, and gluten-free baking powder for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Chocolate Lovers' Version: Use chocolate cake mix and add cocoa powder for an intense chocolate experience, rolling the dough in dark cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar.
  • Vegan Friendly Option: Substitute eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, use vegetable oil, and choose a vegan-friendly cake mix to create plant-based crinkle cookies.
  • Keto-Adapted Cookies: Swap traditional cake mix with almond flour, add sugar-free sweetener, use cream cheese instead of oil, and roll in powdered erythritol for a low-carb alternative.

What Tastes Great with Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

Savor Sweet Companions: Festive Pairings

  • Brew Bold Espresso: Rich, dark espresso cuts through the cookie's sweetness, creating a perfect balance with the powdered sugar coating and soft cake-like texture.
  • Pair Creamy Vanilla Milk: Chilled vanilla milk enhances the cookie's delicate flavor, providing a smooth, refreshing contrast that complements the crinkle's light, airy consistency.
  • Serve with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Seasonal peppermint hot chocolate adds a festive touch, matching the potential red and green color variations while delivering a warming, indulgent experience.
  • Complement with Raspberry Sorbet: Tart raspberry sorbet offers a cool, fruity counterpoint that brightens the cookie's rich, sweet profile and cleanses the palate between bites.

Storing Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies for Later

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their soft texture.

Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.

Warm individual cookies for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Check carefully to avoid overcooking, which can make them hard and dry.

Restore crispness by placing cookies on a baking sheet and warming at 300F for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning and maintain their delicate crinkle texture.

FAQs

  • Can I use any flavor of cake mix for these cookies?

Yes, you can use any flavor of cake mix to create unique and delicious crinkle cookies. Popular choices include chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, or funfetti cake mix.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

No, you only need basic kitchen tools like a mixing bowl, cookie scoop or spoon, baking sheet, and parchment paper or silicone mat. A hand mixer or whisk works great for mixing the ingredients.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps prevent excessive spreading. Also, make sure your baking sheet is not too hot when you place the cookie dough balls on it.

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Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Chocolate crinkle cookies bring sweet magic to classic dessert lovers, melting hearts with powdered sugar-dusted perfection. Rich chocolate goodness meets simple preparation, creating irresistible treats you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Coating/Decoration:

  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • Red and green food coloring gel (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 375F (190C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and cake mix until a uniform dough forms.
  3. For festive variations, separate the dough into two portions and incorporate food coloring (red or green) by gently folding until evenly distributed.
  4. Refrigerate the prepared dough for a minimum of 30 minutes to enhance texture and facilitate easier handling.
  5. Using a cookie scoop, create uniform dough balls and generously coat each with powdered sugar. If the mixture appears excessively sticky, incorporate an additional tablespoon of flour to achieve proper consistency.
  6. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing between each cookie.
  7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes until edges become slightly crisp and centers remain soft.
  8. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes to stabilize, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Ensure precise measurements for consistent cookie texture, as slight variations can impact the final result.
  • Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect crinkle shape during baking.
  • Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency.
  • Experiment with different cake mix flavors to create unique seasonal or themed cookies that surprise and delight.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 125kcal
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 160mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 0.3g
  • Protein: 1.3g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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