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.


RMU
I followed your instructions and the cookies came out too soft, they still good. I made pineapple upside down cookies!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi RMU, did you add anything else to the cake mix cookies (like pineapple?) that could be the reason they were soft. :) glad you still enjoyed them!
Warren Lilienthal
What in the world is 1/2 Scant cup of oil or 7 TB of melted butter
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
It’s exactly as written, scant is just a tiny less than 1/2 cup and 7 Tablespoons of melted butter is, 7 Tablespoons of butter melted.
Melanie
Cake mix cookies are fantastic! I make them and then make a filling to make doozies(sandwich cookies).
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
We love to make doozies with the cake mix cookies too! So delicous!
Dee
Doozies?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Also called sandwich cookies. Two cookies sandwiched with frosting. :)
Iwana
I can’t wait to try these.They Look and sound delicious.Thank you Jamielyn for posting these.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Looking forward to how you like them!
Janine Colby
Since I found this recipe, I have made them over and over again. I make them at Christmas for my work place (over 300 cookies). Always perfect, and fun for the kids to help. Love it!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yeah! And wow! 300 cake mix cookies, you go! :)
Maryann Smith
Just made these today. Turned out perfect! I used chocolate the first time out to be on the safe side, but had nothing to worry about. Thank you!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoyed the cake mix cookies, there are so many variations you can make!
Kathy
I made chocolate cake cookies with cranberries and peacocks. Easy and delicious thank you
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Sounds so festive! thank you for the review!
Deborah Phillips
Great recipe!! I made Devil’s Food with white chocolate chips 😋
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
yum! Fantastic combination!
Theresa
Can you use mayo instead of the oil I just made brownies with it and where so moist
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi Theresa, we have not tested it like that, the eggs in mayo may make them more puffy, but let us know if you try!
Cathy
Great idea if and tried this with cherry chip cake mix as that was all I had on hand. Worked well but a little too sweet. Will try again with chocolate and see if less sweet.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review of the cake mix cookies!
Lexi Adams
I make these cookies all the time for my friends, it’s so easy and delicious and so free to customize, I recommend devils food cake with s’mores bits mixed in and a drizzle of milk chocolate on top 🤤🤤
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Oh wow! That cake mix cookie combination sounds delicious!
Al Salas
Can I use snicker bars mixed with the cake mix?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
I don’t see why not, it will a candy bar cookie!
Kennett
Can I do this with no eggs and just use a little baking power ?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi Kennett, that has not been tested and eggs really help bind the cookies together.
Megan
Try using flax “eggs!” mix 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds with 2 tablespoons water and let sit 10 minutes before adding.
Matthew Harrison
Butter pecan cake mix with white choclate chips and pecans is delish
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Sounds like a fabulous cake mix combination!
Kat M
Thanks for the updated recipe with the new smaller size cake mix box, 15.25 oz. Many online recipes for cake mix cookies still call for the 18 oz box. I made chocolate cookies (devils food mix) with salted caramel chips. SOOOO yummy!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you found it helpful, that combination sounds delicious!
Nancy
Great información
Bonita
Made lemon cookie with this recipe and rolled them in powder sugar after they cooled. Ever one loved them.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoyed the cake mix cookies, the lemon variation is a favorite of ours too!
Carol
I had a chocolate cookie recipe years ago when my adult kids were in primary school. It was loved and delicious but not as easy as yours to make. Just made three different kinds from yellow cake mix tonight they were very tasty and so easy. Thank you!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you found this cake mix cookie recipe, enjoy!
Krista
I’m going to try to make them with Krusteaz GF yellow cake mix, which is 18oz. And I might add choc chips to the top of some. I’ll update my comment after.
vinny
Best cookies i have ever had omg! I love adding butterscotch chips in to the cookies and I also make them gluten free cause i have celiac’s disease! thank you for this recipe!!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoy the cake mix cookies and can adapt them to be gluten-free!
Kelly
Do I have to use parchment paper or anything on a nonstick pan?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
We always line with parchment paper or a silicone mat to promote even baking. Enjoy!
Debbie
Can you please send me how you made them gluten free. What changes did you make to the recipe please and thank you.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi Debbie, for this easy recipe just swap to your favorite gluten free cake mix.