If you’re searching for a delightful treat that’s incredibly easy to whip up yet guaranteed to impress, this Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies are soft, tender, and beautifully crackled on top, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that feels like a cozy hug in cookie form. Whether you stick with the classic white cake flavor or add festive red and green hues, these crinkle cookies bring joy to every bite and can brighten up any cookie platter with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a critical role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and even visual appeal. From pantry staples to optional color boosters, every item here is essential for getting those irresistibly crinkled tops and soft centers.
- White cake mix: This forms the flavorful base and makes the dough easy to combine with other ingredients.
- Eggs: Key for binding the dough and adding moisture, helping the cookies hold their shape.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm, sweet undertones that deepen the cookie’s flavor.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies tender and moist without weighing them down.
- Red and green food coloring gel (optional): Perfect for festive occasions or when you want a pop of color in your cookies.
- Powdered sugar: Used for coating the dough balls, ensuring that signature crackled appearance on the baked cookies.
How to Make Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Surface
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven warms, line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking, which also helps the cookies bake evenly and develop a beautiful crust.
Step 2: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well blended. Gradually add the white cake mix and stir until you have a smooth, homogenous dough—no lumps allowed! This combination ensures each cookie bakes up light and tender.
Step 3: Add Color for Festive Fun (Optional)
If you want to add a seasonal touch or just love those bright cookie colors, divide your dough evenly into two bowls. Mix red food coloring gel into one and green gel into the other, stirring until the colors are vibrant and fully incorporated. This step transforms your plain dough into a colorful celebration.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Pop the dough into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and contributing to the cookies’ fluffy, soft texture when baked. Trust me, this minor wait pays big dividends.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough and roll them into smooth balls. Dredge each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar until coated. If your dough feels sticky and hard to roll, sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour to get the perfect consistency and prevent mess.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place your sugared dough balls on the prepared sheet, leaving space for spreading. Bake for about 9 to 11 minutes. You’ll know they’re perfectly done when they have spread slightly and showcase those charming crinkles on top—this signature texture is what makes these cookies so irresistible.
Step 7: Cool Before Enjoying
Allow your cookies to cool for a minute or two right on the baking sheet; this helps them firm up just enough to transfer without breaking. Then gently move them to a wire rack where they’ll cool completely. This finishes the texture and makes them ideal for snacking or gifting.
How to Serve Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, sprinkling powdered sugar or drizzling melted white chocolate just before serving can elevate their look and taste. Adding festive sprinkles or edible glitter can also turn these cookies into show-stopping desserts for holidays and parties.
Side Dishes
Pair them with a cold glass of milk, a cup of steaming coffee, or a rich hot chocolate to complement the cookies’ sweetness and softness. They also go wonderfully with fresh berries or whipped cream for a simple yet elegant dessert platter.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving or party trays, arrange these cookies in layered tins or jars with wax paper between layers to keep them fresh and pretty. You can also stack them like mini towers, tied with a ribbon for charming presentation that’s sure to wow friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, store your cake mix crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll maintain their soft, chewy texture for up to 4 days, perfect for enjoying your favorite treat on your own schedule.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Simply place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months, making it easy to enjoy them anytime without compromising freshness.
Reheating
To refresh frozen or stored cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes or microwave them for about 10 seconds. This warms the cookies gently, bringing back their soft, freshly-baked charm.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix for this recipe?
Absolutely! While this recipe uses white cake mix for a classic flavor, you can experiment with yellow, chocolate, or even funfetti cake mixes for different tastes and colors. Just keep in mind that baking times may vary slightly.
What if I don’t have food coloring gel?
If you don’t have gel food coloring, liquid food coloring can work but may alter the cookie consistency slightly. Use less liquid elsewhere in the recipe if needed to keep the dough from getting too sticky.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Choose a gluten-free cake mix as a direct substitute. Just ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free, and your cookies will be just as tasty and crinkle-perfect.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll and shapes the cookies better. It also helps the cookies bake into tender, fluffy treats rather than flat and spread-out ones.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for the distinct crackled tops and slight spreading around the edges. The cookies should still feel soft when pressed gently and set as they cool on the baking sheet.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe enough for anyone wanting a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing treat. It’s perfect for last-minute baking, festive occasions, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth with minimal stress. Give it a try and watch these soft, beautifully crinkled delights disappear in no time!
Print
Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are soft, fluffy, and delightfully crackled with a sweet powdered sugar coating. Made from a simple white cake mix combined with eggs, oil, and vanilla, these festive cookies can be easily customized with red and green food coloring to celebrate the holidays. Perfectly portioned, quick to prepare, and baked to golden perfection, they make a fun and colorful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box white cake mix (approximately 15.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Red and green food coloring gel, optional (about 5-10 drops each)
Coating
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, if dough is too sticky)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the white cake mix and stir until the mixture forms a uniform dough.
- Add colors (optional): Divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Add red food coloring gel to one bowl and green to the other, mixing well until the color is fully incorporated throughout each portion.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough portions and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step firms up the dough for easier handling and results in fluffier cookies.
- Form the cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. If sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour to the dough for better consistency. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, then place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until they have spread sufficiently and have developed characteristic cracks on the surface.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1 to 2 minutes to set, then transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Refrigerating the dough before baking prevents spreading and ensures a soft texture.
- You can customize these cookies with different food coloring or add-ins like sprinkles or chocolate chips.
- If dough feels too sticky to handle, incorporate a tablespoon of flour at a time until manageable.
- Use silicone mats or parchment paper to avoid sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
