Yellow Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Get ready for a treat that brings maximum comfort with minimal fuss: Yellow Cake Mix Cookies! This easy cookie recipe takes everything you love about classic yellow cake—fluffy texture, buttery flavor, and a hint of vanilla—and transforms it into irresistibly soft, chewy cookies. They’re your go-to for spontaneous cravings and celebrations alike, crafted from pantry staples plus all the joyful extras you can dream up. Whether you dress them up with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or leave them simply golden, these cookies are a delicious shortcut to homemade happiness.

Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the greatest joys of making Yellow Cake Mix Cookies is their simplicity. Each ingredient plays a starring role, coming together for rich flavor, perfect texture, and endless fun with mix-ins. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 ounces): The secret shortcut for soft, sweet cookies with that classic yellow cake flavor in every bite.
- Vegetable oil or melted butter (1/2 cup): Adds tenderness and a gorgeous, slightly crisp edge to your cookies—choose butter for extra richness.
- Large eggs (2): They create structure and give your cookies a lovely chewiness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the cake mix flavor and brings home that classic, bakery-fresh aroma.
- Chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts (1/2 cup, optional): The “choose-your-own-adventure” element—pick your favorite for texture and bursts of fun color or flavor.
How to Make Yellow Cake Mix Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Heat Up
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and gives you easy cleanup—because who wants more dishes?
Step 2: Mix Up Magic
In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, oil (or melted butter), eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until a thick, sticky dough forms. You’ll notice the dough coming together fast; that’s the beauty of this recipe!
Step 3: Customize with Add-Ins
Now for the fun part—fold in any optional add-ins, like chocolate chips for gooey pockets, rainbow sprinkles for celebration vibes, or chopped nuts for a little crunch. This is your chance to make these Yellow Cake Mix Cookies totally yours.
Step 4: Scoop and Space
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop dollops of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between each cookie because these beauties like their personal space as they bake.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pop your tray in the oven and bake for 9–11 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges look golden but the centers are still soft—don’t overbake! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack. This makes them set up just right, so you get that perfectly soft-in-the-middle texture.
How to Serve Yellow Cake Mix Cookies

Garnishes
For a bakery-worthy finish, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips or colored sprinkles on top of each hot cookie right after baking. Or, dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. These little touches make your Yellow Cake Mix Cookies look as inviting as they taste!
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a tall glass of icy cold milk, a rich mug of hot cocoa, or even creamy vanilla ice cream for an instant dessert upgrade. They also make a happy cameo on a holiday cookie tray alongside brownies and other favorites.
Creative Ways to Present
Package a stack of Yellow Cake Mix Cookies in a cellophane bag with a ribbon for a cheerful bake sale treat, or set up a DIY cookie bar with a spread of mix-ins so everyone can customize their own batch. These cookies are charming as festive gifts, party favors, or after-school surprises—use your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Yellow Cake Mix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and lovely for up to five days—if they last that long! Be sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent them from drying out.
Freezing
Want to make a batch ahead? Absolutely! Let your cookies cool completely, then freeze them in a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake a fresh cookie or two whenever the mood strikes.
Reheating
If your cookies have been frozen, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. To warm them up and revive that just-baked goodness, pop them in a 300°F oven for a minute or two, or give them a quick zap in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
FAQs
Can I use other cake mix flavors besides yellow?
Definitely! While classic Yellow Cake Mix Cookies hold their own, you can swap yellow cake mix for chocolate, red velvet, or even spice cake mix to suit your mood or season. Each one brings a fun twist to the basic recipe.
What’s the best way to keep cookies soft?
To keep your cookies perfectly soft, always store them in an airtight container. For extra insurance, you can add a slice of bread to the container—the cookies will stay moist while the bread dries out!
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Just grab your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix. The rest of the recipe works exactly the same, so everyone can enjoy these quick and easy cookies.
Do I have to chill the dough?
No chilling necessary for Yellow Cake Mix Cookies! The dough is designed to be thick and scoopable right away, so you’re only minutes from warm, fresh cookies.
How do I double (or halve) the recipe?
Doubling or halving is a breeze. Simply use two boxes (or half a box) of cake mix and adjust the other ingredients accordingly. Just make sure to mix in a big enough bowl!
Final Thoughts
Whether you need a last-minute bake sale hit or a cozy night-in treat, you’ll fall in love with Yellow Cake Mix Cookies. They’re the perfect combo of simple and scrumptious, inviting creativity and imagination in every batch. Go on, give them a try and let every sweet, golden bite brighten your day!
Print
Yellow Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Yellow Cake Mix Cookies are a quick and easy dessert option that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delicious cookies in no time.
Ingredients
Yellow Cake Mix Cookies:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until a thick dough forms.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in any optional add-ins like chocolate chips or sprinkles.
- Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Experiment with different cake mix flavors for variety.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Cookies can be frozen for later enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg