Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking for a delightful treat that’s not only irresistibly tasty but also fun to make, this Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are soft, chewy, and perfectly cracked on the outside, boasting a beautiful powdered sugar coating that adds just the right touch of sweetness. The genius here is how a simple box of cake mix transforms into a charming, homemade cookie that feels so much more special than your everyday sugar cookie. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a cozy afternoon, or a festive gathering, these crinkle cookies will steal the show every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Honestly, the beauty of this Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe is in its simplicity—the ingredients are basic but work in harmony to create a cookie that’s soft and vibrant. Each component plays a crucial role, from texture to flavor, making this recipe easily accessible yet delightful.
- White cake mix: The foundation of our cookies, giving sweetness and soft crumb structure that’s hard to beat.
- Eggs: They bind the dough and add moistness, ensuring the cookies are tender and chewy.
- Vanilla extract: A little splash elevates the taste, adding warmth and depth.
- Vegetable oil: This keeps the cookies moist without making them greasy, lending a tender bite.
- Red and green food coloring gel (optional): Perfect for festive touches or just to bring a pop of fun and color to your cookies.
- Powdered sugar: Used for rolling, it creates that signature crackled, snowy effect and adds a light sweetness on the outside.
How to Make Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This setup is key to baking your cookies evenly and gently.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the white cake mix and stir until the dough comes together smoothly. This simple blend is what creates the perfect soft texture of your crinkle cookies.
Step 3: Add Some Color
If you want to make your cookies extra festive or just plain fun, divide the dough into two equal parts. Add red food coloring gel to one bowl and green to the other, mixing each until the color is fully blended. This is a wonderful way to personalize your batch while keeping the recipe straightforward.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Pop your dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling not only makes handling the dough easier but also results in fluffier cookies that hold their shape beautifully during baking. This step is a small wait for a delicious payoff.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Cookies
Use a tablespoon to scoop portions of the chilled dough and roll them into balls. Next, coat each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar—this is what gives the cookies their iconic crackled look. If you find the dough sticky, sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour to keep things manageable.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Space the cookie balls evenly on the baking sheet to ensure they don’t stick together as they spread. Bake in your preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until crackled on top and just set. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack—this helps them firm up without losing that tender crumb.
How to Serve Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Feel free to dust your cookies with an extra light coating of powdered sugar just before serving for a pretty presentation. You can also add a few festive sprinkles on top before baking, especially if making these for holidays or celebrations, to add a subtle crunch and burst of color.
Side Dishes
These crinkle cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of coffee, hot chocolate, or even a classic glass of milk. Their soft texture and sweet flavor complement creamy beverages perfectly, making snack time feel like a special occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies on a decorative platter lined with parchment paper sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar. For an eye-catching twist, try stacking them in colorful tiers or placing them inside clear jars tied with a festive ribbon—ideal for gifting or impressing guests at any party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This will help maintain their soft, chewy texture without drying out—a simple way to enjoy these treats a little longer.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked dough balls or the fully baked cookies. For dough, freeze scooped balls on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag; bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time. For baked cookies, freeze in an airtight container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Warm your cookies in a microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for 3-5 minutes to refresh that just-baked softness and aroma. It’s like bringing a little bit of your fresh bake back to life whenever you want it.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor cake mix?
Absolutely! While white cake mix is classic here, chocolate, red velvet, or even lemon cake mixes work beautifully. Each flavor will give your crinkle cookies a unique twist that’s sure to be delicious.
Why do the cookies crackle on top?
The crackled look comes from rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. As the cookies bake and spread, the sugar coating forms those signature cracks, giving the cookies their charming appearance.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Simply choose a gluten-free cake mix. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this recipe easy to adapt without losing any of its magic.
What if my dough is too sticky to handle?
If the dough feels too sticky, just sprinkle in a little bit of flour—start with one tablespoon—until it’s easier to roll. This won’t affect the taste but will make shaping much smoother.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, these cookies stay soft and fresh for about 4 to 5 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe, it will quickly become one of your go-to favorites. It’s such a fantastic mix of easy preparation and delightful flavor, perfect for any occasion or just a cozy sweet fix. Grab that box of cake mix and get baking because these cookies bring joy with every bite!
Print
Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are easy and fun to make, perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a simple, colorful treat. With a soft, cakey texture and a delightful crinkled powdered sugar coating, these cookies are customizable with food coloring to add a festive touch. Ready in under an hour, they are a fantastic recipe for both novice and experienced bakers.
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 food coloring gel, optional
- Green food coloring gel, optional
Coating
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat 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.
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and the white cake mix. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated, forming a dough.
- Add Color (Optional): Divide the dough equally into two bowls if you want colored cookies. Add red food coloring gel to one portion and green to the other. Mix each bowl well until the color is fully blended throughout the dough.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps make the dough easier to handle and results in fluffier, better-textured cookies.
- Form Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough and roll them into balls with your hands. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in about 1 tablespoon of flour to improve handling.
- Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar until fully coated. This will create the characteristic crinkle look after baking.
- Bake: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the cookies have puffed and the surface shows visible cracks.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set properly and finish baking through residual heat.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to avoid altering the dough consistency.
- If the dough is too sticky after chilling, add a little flour very gradually to avoid making cookies dense.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake by removing them when edges are set but centers still look slightly soft.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- You can customize the colors to match any holiday or theme by using different food coloring gels.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
