Cake-Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe

Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are an easy way to bake soft, fluffy holiday cookies in minutes. This simple recipe uses a boxed cake mix, a few pantry ingredients, and festive sprinkles for bright, delicious results.

Boxed cake mix is perfect for quick baking projects and these Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are one of the simplest and most reliable options. With just four basic ingredients—white cake mix, an egg, oil, and vanilla—plus colorful sprinkles, you can have a tray of festive cookies ready in under an hour. They make great party treats, neighbor gifts, or an easy addition to your holiday cookie platter.

Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

When the holidays roll around I like quick recipes that still look festive. For these cookies I used a white cake mix and folded in red and green sprinkles to give them a cheerful Christmas appearance. Half of the sprinkles are mixed into the dough so you get little pops of color inside each cookie, and the remaining sprinkles are used to coat the outside for an extra festive finish.

These cake-mix cookies are soft, slightly cake-like, and perfectly sweet. They’re ideal for snacking, packing into cookie tins, or serving at holiday gatherings. Because they bake quickly, you can prepare several batches the same day without much fuss.

Loved these cake mix cookies? Try other simple cookie ideas

• Chocolate cake mix with M&M candies folded in makes a festive chocolate cookie.
• White chocolate and dried cranberries create a bright, tangy cookie when combined with a lighter base.
• Classic butter cookies are always a hit and can be finished with a chocolate dip and sprinkles for the holidays.

Ingredients for our Christmas Cookies

The cookie dough depends on a straightforward four-ingredient base, plus sprinkles for decoration.

• 15 1/4 oz white cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sprinkles, divided (about 1/2 cup to fold in, 1/2 cup to roll the dough in)

How to make Cookies from Cake Mix

These cookies are quick and beginner-friendly. Follow these steps for consistent, festive cookies:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat until a smooth dough forms.
• Fold about half of the sprinkles (roughly 1/2 cup) into the dough so small color flecks are distributed throughout.
• Form the dough into tablespoon-sized balls (about 1½–2 inches wide). Transfer the remaining sprinkles to a shallow plate and roll each dough ball in the sprinkles to coat the outside.
• Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. You may need to bake in batches.
• Bake at 350°F for 7–10 minutes, until the cookies are just set and lightly golden at the edges. They should remain soft in the center.
• Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a couple of minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Tips and variations

• For different flavors, swap the white cake mix for funfetti or vanilla almond cake mix.
• Add a few tablespoons of mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts if you like extra texture.
• For a softer center, remove the cookies from the oven as soon as they set and the edges turn lightly golden.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

Recipe