Easy spice cake mix cookies made with 3 main ingredients in just 20 minutes. These delicious cookies have crisp edges, a soft inside and are filled with the perfect spice flavor. 

Spice cake mix cookies with white chocolate chips.

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I’ve been known to dress up a box or two of cake mix. Not everything has to be made from scratch to taste delicious! This is one of my favorite fall treats to make with cake mix, as well as my pumpkin cake mix cookies, pumpkin crunch cake and apple pie cupcakes.

These spice cake mix cookies are the perfect fall or winter treat. Especially when you’re looking for something that doesn’t require a lot of time. These are made in one bowl with only 3 main ingredients and done in just 20 minutes. They are also perfect for a beginner baker. My 9 year old loves making all types of cake mix cookies. We make these and my snickerdoodle cake mix cookies every year during the holiday season.

They are soft in the inside, crisp around the edges and perfectly spiced in the middle. I love rolling the dough balls in cinnamon sugar, it adds the perfect addition. Not only are they the perfect treat for fall or Thanksgiving, but these spice cookies would be great to take to a cookie exchange around Christmas time. So easy and delicious!

Ingredients

These cookies only require 3 main ingredients, although I love adding the cinnamon sugar for extra flavor and sweetness. There are also plenty of goodies you can mix into the batter or top them with (check out some of my favorite ideas in the “variations” section below).

Spice cake mix cookie ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Spice cake mix: This recipe calls for a box of spice cake mix (Duncan Hines is my favorite).
  • Eggs: 2 large eggs are added in (the amount needed on the box may be different, but stick with this number instead).
  • Oil: Vegetable oil keeps the cake nice and moist.
  • Cinnamon sugar: They are rolled in cinnamon sugar for the perfect amount of sweetness.

Variations

  • Mix in 1 cup of white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or cinnamon chips.
  • Add in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts or almonds.
  • Mix in 1/2 cup old fashioned oats with 1/2 cup cinnamon chips or nuts.
  • Drizzle the top with powdered sugar icing.
  • Frost the top with cream cheese frosting or cinnamon buttercream.
  • Make sandwich cookies with frosting, similar to these gingerbread sandwich cookies.
  • Dip half of the cooled cookie in melted white chocolate.

How to Make Spice Cake Mix Cookies

Making spice cookies in bowl.
  1. MIX. Stir together the cake mix, oil and eggs until combined. I recommend chilling the dough in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes, so that it’s not so sticky and easier to work with.
  2. SCOOP & ROLL. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Then roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar.
  3. BAKE. Bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are set (but not brown). Then remove from oven and let cool on pan for a few more minutes. They’ll continue to set as they cool. Then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Stacked spice cookies.

Recipe FAQs

What does spice cake mix cookies taste like?

The main spices in the spice cake mix are cinnamon, allspices, coriander, ginger, and nutmeg, so the cookies tastes like a little like gingerbread and smells amazing when they’re baking.

Can I use apple sauce instead of oil?

Sure! Apple sauce provides the same amount of moisture as oil, but may give these cookies a slightly different flavor (though it probably will be delicious). Simply use the same amount apple sauce as oil.

Storing and Freezing

STORE. Store in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.

FREEZE. Make sure they have cooled completely. To prevent them from sticking together, I like to pre-freeze the cookies first. Simply freeze on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes, so that they harden. Then place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw on the counter a few hours before enjoying.

stacked spice cookies

Spice Cake Mix Cookies

4.98 from 87 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24
Easy spice cake mix cookies made with 3 main ingredients in just 20 minutes. These delicious cookies have crisp edges, a soft inside and are filled with the perfect spice flavor. 
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Ingredients 

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box spice cake mix
  • ½ scant cup vegetable oil , or 7 TB melted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon)

Optional Mix-in’s (use 1/2-1 cup): Raisins, White chocolate chips, Cinnamon chips or Butterscotch chips, Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts or almonds)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, oil, and eggs until combined. Add in any additional mix-in's, if using. If you have time, refrigerate the dough for 15 to 20 minutes (it will make it a little easier to work with, since the dough is sticky).
  • In a shallow bowl, add the cinnamon sugar. Using a medium cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough onto the baking sheet. Roll dough into balls and coat in cinnamon sugar.
  • Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are set but before they brown. Let cool on the baking sheet a couple minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Once cookies have cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Dip in chocolate: Once cooled, melt the chocolate and then dip half the cookie into the white chocolate. Lay cookies onto a wax paper and add sprinkles if desired.
Cinnamon sugar: Mix together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
Storage: Store in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Make sure they have cooled completely. To prevent them from sticking together, I like to pre-freeze the cookies first. Simply freeze on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes, so that they harden. Then place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw on the counter a few hours before enjoying.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 124mg, Potassium: 67mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 23IU, Vitamin C: 0.04mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.