Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 11/25/21
Cake Mix Cookies recipe

 The Spruce

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Yield: 30 cookies
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
182 Calories
8g Fat
26g Carbs
2g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 20
Amount per serving
Calories 182
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 11%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 191mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 49mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Using a purchased cake mix to make cookies is a fun way to save time in the kitchen. This recipe will work with any flavor of cake mix and a variety of mix-ins, giving you lots of options for flavor combos. You can also use a homemade cake mix for a more natural option that's free of added preservatives.

Cake mix cookies are fun to make with kids since there's very little measuring involved. You can stir in chocolate chips, coated candy pieces, chopped nuts, or dried fruit. If you're baking with kids, divide up the dough into a couple of bowls and let the kids add their own mix-ins. Frost the cookies if you like using homemade or canned icing, or make sandwich cookies by spreading frosting between two cookies. Any leftover cookies should be stored tightly covered at room temperature so they stay soft.

If you're using a chocolate cake mix, add two tablespoons of water along with the egg since the mix tends to be thicker.

Ingredients

  • 1 (18-ounce) package cake mix, any flavor

  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 tablespoons water, only if using chocolate cake mix

  • 1 cup chocolate chips, or other mix-ins, up to 1 cup

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Cake Mix Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  3. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, softened butter, and egg, (plus, water for chocolate cake mix) with a mixer or a spoon until the dry ingredients are moistened and the dough is thoroughly mixed.

    Cake Mix Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Stir in any mix-ins (if using).

    Cake Mix Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

    Cake Mix Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Bake at 350 F for 9 to 12 minutes.

    Cake Mix Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  7. Cool the cookies for 2 minutes on the cookie sheets, then use a wide and thin spatula to place them on wire racks to continue cooling.

    Cake Mix Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

  8. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

    Cake Mix Cookies recipe
     The Spruce

Recipe Variations

Take your cookies to the next level with some of these delicious mix-ins:

  • Dark chocolate chips
  • Milk chocolate chips
  • White chocolate chips
  • Butterscotch chips
  • Sprinkles
  • Dried fruit
  • Nuts
  • Candy-coated chocolate candies
  • Crumbled Heath bar
  • Small pieces of candy bars


Need some ideas for flavor combos? Here are some cake mix and mix-in combo ideas:

  • Vanilla cake and dark chocolate chips
  • Yellow cake and butterscotch chips
  • Chocolate cake and candy-coated chocolates
  • Devil's food cake and white chocolate chips
  • White cake and multicolor sprinkles