These cake mix cookies are such an easy and delicious recipe to make with only 3 ingredients! Customize this recipe with your favorite flavor and mix-in’s.

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Easiest Cookie Recipe Ever
We’ve shared a few different cookie recipes using cake mix, such as the strawberry cookies, chocolate mint cookies and red velvet gooey cookies, but I thought it was about time I shared the original recipe. The options are endless depending on the flavor of cake mix you use!
I first saw this recipe in a church cookbook (along with my easy dump cake) I received many years ago and have made many different variations ever since, even cake mix brownies! These cake cookies are great for when you need to make something quick and don’t have a lot of ingredients on hand. I don’t know about you, but I pretty much always have a box of cake mix, oil and eggs on hand.
These cookies are soft, fluffy and seriously so delicious. I love how many different variations you can easily make. Plus, they are so simple that you literally can’t mess them up. My kids love to help make them too. They are always a huge hit!
3 Simple Ingredients
This recipe requires only 3 ingredients (which you probably already have on hand!). This is seriously the easiest dessert to whip up and perfect for the kids to help with.
- Cake mix: Use 1 box of cake mix (any flavor you’d like). Check out a few of my favorite variations below.
- Oil: Vegetable oil works best in this recipe. You’ll need 1/2 cup or you can use melted butter.
- Eggs: Add in 2 large eggs.
Feel free to include any extra mix-in’s like M&M’s, chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles or candy pieces.
How To Make Cookies From Cake Mix
You can find the printable recipe and video tutorial below.
- Combine. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl with a mixer until the dough is smooth. If I have time, I like to refrigerate the dough, so it’s easier to work with.
- Scoop. Use a cookie scoop to add place the dough onto a prepared baking sheet. Then add any extra mix-in’s if you’d like.
- Bake. Cook in the oven at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes until the cookies are set!
Baking Tips
- Refrigerate the dough: The dough tends to be a little stickier than your typical cookie dough because of the oil, so I’d recommend refrigerating the dough for about 30 minutes so it’s easier to work with.
- Don’t over bake: You definitely don’t want these cookies to brown in the oven. Let them bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are set. You want them to have a soft texture. To help prevent the bottoms from browning, line your pan with parchment paper.
- Freeze any extras: These cookies freeze beautifully. If you have any extras, let them cool completely after baking. Then place on a cookie sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes. Once they’re hard, place the cookies in a freezer container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove from freezer about 2 hours before enjoying.
Cake Mix Cookie Variations
You can use pretty much any flavor of cake mix to make these cookie flavor combinations. Feel free to add in your favorite add-ins or dip in chocolate. Below are a few of my favorites. I typically prefer duncan hines.
- Red velvet white chocolate chip: If you’re a fan of red velvet cake, you’re going to love these red velvet cake mix cookies! The red velvet flavor is rich and delicious and the white chocolate chips add the perfect sweet touch. Plus the contrast of the red and white colors looks so pretty!
- M&M: You can use yellow or vanilla cake mix for this variation. The M&M’s are fun, colorful and add a delicious hint of chocolate. You could also make these with chocolate cake mix as well. Both versions are delicious. My kids love these!
- Devil’s food with Rolo’s: If you’re a chocolate lover, these Rolo cookies are perfect for you! The chocolate flavor paired with the gooey caramel inside is a match made in heaven! The Rolo in the middle is such a nice surprise.
- Chocolate-dipped strawberry: I made a version of these strawberry cookies for Valentine’s Day and they were so festive and delicious! Use a strawberry cake mix. They are super soft, full of strawberry flavor and best of all dipped in chocolate!
- Butter cookies: An easy variation of a butter cookie, gooey butter cookies are made with vanilla or white cake mixes, butter, powdered sugar, and cream cheese!
- Frosting: These also taste amazing with buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting on top.
- Chocolate chips: Add in semi-sweet, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips or chopped dark chocolate to a yellow or chocolate cake mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are cookies that come together by modifying the ingredients on the box of a cake mix. You only need 3 simple ingredients.
Aside from endless cookie options, you can also make brownies, cake mix cookie bars and cake mix pumpkin muffins.
I love to add in different mix-in’s such as chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, m&m’s or chopped oreos.
Yes, in this cake mix cookie recipe you don’t need any flour or additional baking agents.
More Cake Mix Cookies
- Lemon cake mix cookies – Fresh lemon flavor with a powdered sugar top
- Funfetti cookies – Full of sprinkles and that classic cake batter flavor
- Cake mix pumpkin cookies – Soft and flavorful with chocolate chips!
- Spice cookies – The perfect spice flavor for fall
- Snickerdoodle cake mix cookies – A classic holiday favorite made easy
Cake Mix Cookie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box cake mix
- ½ scant cup vegetable oil , or 7 TB melted butter
- 2 large eggs
Optional Mix-in’s: Chocolate chips, M&M’s, Rolo's, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir the cake mix, oil, and eggs until combined. If you have time, refrigerate the dough 15 to 20 minutes (it will make it a little easier to work with, since it is sticky).
- Using a medium scoop or spoon, scoop the dough onto the baking sheet. Top with additional toppings, if desired. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are set. You don’t want them to brown.
- Let cool a couple minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack. Store in a covered container up to 3 days.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
- Red velvet white chocolate chip: If you’re a fan of red velvet cake, you’re going to love this version! Use a red velvet cake mix and mix in 1 cup of white chocolate chips.
- M&M: You can use white or yellow cake mix for this variation. Mix in 1 cup M&M’s.
- Devil’s food with Rolo’s: If you’re a chocolate lover, these Rolo cookies are perfect for you!
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Amy
I made chocolate with mini chocolate chips and walnuts. At the same time I made strawberry with almonds. Loved both!!! Thank you for the easy recipe!!!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you loved the cake mix cookies – both ways you made them sound delicious!
Linda
Edit: 1/3 cup vs 1/2 cup of oil
Linda
I made these tonight with a spice cake mix and put in “Lily’s” Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Baking Chips. I also used only 1/3 of a cup instead of 1/2 of a cup per other posters suggestions. I also added some homemade pumpkin pie spice. YUMMY! As some others were posting, I had to leave mine in the oven an extra 3-4 minutes before they were done. Soft on the inside and slightly crispy around the edges. They raised beautifully, but when cooled, they flattened out. They were still delicious!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoyed the cake mix cookies, sounds like a lovely verison for fall!
Diane
I love making these. So much easier to eat than a piece of cake and less sloppy. I added 1/2 cup of lucky charms cereal to mine. Also swirled a little strawberry jello powder in the mix just prior to cooking to get a swirl effect. These were great for my little ones birthday.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Wow, that version sounds amazing! So glad you love the cake mix cookies!
Linda
By chance can olive oil be used instead of vegetable oil?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
It could, but since olive oil is not neutral in flavor taste may change.
Linda
Thank you! I’m not supposed to have regular oils that are used in baking and cooking because of my medical issues. :-( I may just make them from the original recipe and just not eat any of them. :-\
Lori C.
I love your newsletter and recipes! With these cake mix cookies, what adjustments would you recommend for the smaller-quantity cake mixes available now?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi Lori! If possible I would try to stick with a brand that is still 15.25, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury or even Aldi cake mixes are still true to size. Other than that, we have not tested with a smaller sized one, but I would imagine just decreasing the oil a small amount would be fine.
Stephanie Baker
A lot of those cake mixes are smaller now. Makes me sad. What works for me is purchasing 2 of the same cake mixes, and then mix them together. Measure by weight, and proceed. <3 Works for me!
Abi Pickett
Can you refrigerate dough overnight?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yes, that works great!
Aaron Broxson
Love them
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you!
Aaron Broxson
I always add 8oz cream cheese to this recipe, they come out fluffier and everyone that’s had them love it… Just an idea 👍
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yes, cream cheese is an excellent addition! We do that in gooey butter cookies and it is so good!
Melissa V.
We absoloutly love this recipe! It’s the easiest cookie recipe ever. I’ve tried tons of flavours and add ins and the recipe never let’s me down. Makes 20 good sized cookies.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you love the cake mix cookies as much as we do!
Tracy Pollitt
I used a whole stick of melted butter. With mixture of butterscotch and chocolate chips. Crunchy on bottom but moist cookie. Delicious.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Sounds like a delicious combination!
Billie
I was told that you could use a half a cup of applesauce and a half a cup of oil in cake mix and you could make the cookies is this true or not.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi Billie, for this recipe it only calls for 1/2 cup oil, so I would only do 1/4 cup of each. To note – we have not tested it that way but often using applesauce will make any baked good more ‘cakey’ than intended.
Natalie
Perfect every time 🥰
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoyed the cake mix cookies!
Mary E
Made these with chocolate cake mix. Used half for cookies then added water to the rest and made cupcakes. Cookies and cupcakes were delicious.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
oh! What a way to make two treats! So glad you enjoyed the cake mix cookies.
Julia
So easy and tastes great! My family loves them!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you!
Barbara
I love this . It’s so easy to. I used a Butter Pecan cake mix. They didn’t last very long. Everyone loved thin and wanted more. Making more today. Also chocolate and adding extra chocolate chips. Love this recipe
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoyed the cake mix cookies!
Stacey
Making these right now! Trying to add calories for our teen waterpolo player so added in protein powder and chocolate chips.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Glad they turned out with the additional of protein powder! Did you have to add more liquid?