Introduction

Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are one of the easiest, most festive holiday treats you can bake—perfect for busy families, last-minute gatherings, cookie exchanges, or when you need a quick holiday dessert that still delivers big flavor. These cookies begin with a simple boxed cake mix, but the final result tastes homemade, soft, chewy, and beautifully decorated for the season.

What makes cake mix cookies so popular is their simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients—cake mix, butter or oil, and eggs—you can create delicious cookies in minutes. The cake mix gives the cookies a tender, fluffy texture and wonderful flavor, and you can customize them endlessly with add-ins like chocolate chips, M&M’s, sprinkles, peppermint pieces, or white chocolate chunks.

This detailed, long-form recipe will guide you step-by-step through making perfect Christmas Cake Mix Cookies, plus variations, troubleshooting, tips, and creative serving ideas. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned cook, these cookies will become one of your go-to holiday recipes.

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Ingredients:

Basic Cookie Dough

• 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla, white, yellow, or funfetti cake mix
• 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted (or 1/3 cup vegetable oil)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional but delicious)

Festive Add-Ins (Choose Any)

• 1 cup red & green M&M’s
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Christmas sprinkles
• 1/3 cup crushed candy canes
• 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries

For Decorating

• Extra sprinkles
• Melted white chocolate for drizzling
• Powdered sugar for dusting

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Preparation

Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter (slightly cooled), eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
The almond extract gives the cookies a classic bakery-style Christmas flavor.

Step 2: Add the Cake Mix

Add the entire box of cake mix to the wet ingredients.
Mix using a spatula or wooden spoon.
The dough will be thick and sticky—this is normal for cake mix cookies.

Step 3: Add Festive Mix-Ins

Fold in your choice of add-ins: M&M’s, white chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint.
This is where the cookies become colorful and festive.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes.
Chilled dough makes thicker cookies and prevents spreading.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Press a few extra M&M’s or sprinkles on top for a pretty finish.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 9–11 minutes.
The cookies should look set around the edges but slightly soft in the middle—this keeps them chewy.

Step 7: Cool

Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
They will firm up as they cool.

Step 8: Decorate (Optional)

Drizzle with melted white chocolate, dust with powdered sugar, or add more sprinkles for extra Christmas magic.

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Variation

🎅 1. Red Velvet Christmas Cookies

Use red velvet cake mix + white chocolate chips.

❄️ 2. White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

White cake mix + crushed candy canes + white chocolate chips.

🍒 3. Cherry Chip Christmas Cookies

Cherry chip cake mix + chocolate chips + holiday sprinkles.

🌲 4. Grinch Cake Mix Cookies

Green-tinted vanilla cake mix + red heart sprinkles.

🍫 5. Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies

Chocolate cake mix rolled in powdered sugar before baking.

🎁 6. Cranberry Bliss Cake Mix Cookies

White cake mix + dried cranberries + orange zest + white chocolate chunks.

✨ 7. Funfetti Christmas Cookies

Funfetti mix + Christmas sprinkles for kid-friendly cookies.

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COOKING Note

• Do not overbake—cake mix cookies dry out quickly.
• The dough will be sticky; chilling is essential.
• Butter gives richer flavor, oil gives lighter texture—use whichever you prefer.
• Add-ins should total no more than 1–1.5 cups to avoid crumbly dough.

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve with hot cocoa, eggnog, coffee, or peppermint lattes.
• Add to holiday cookie boxes with gingerbread men, shortbread, and chocolate crinkles.
• Wrap in festive cellophane bags for gifting.
• Perfect for Christmas school parties, potlucks, or cookie swaps.

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Tips

• Add sprinkles right before baking—they stick better than after.
• For extra flavor, use flavored cake mixes: butter, lemon, strawberry.
• To make thicker cookies, chill longer—up to 1 hour.
• For uniform cookies, use a small cookie scoop.
• Store in airtight containers to keep them soft for days.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)

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Nutritional Information (Approx. per cookie):

Calories: ~150
Protein: ~2 g
Sodium: ~120 mg

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FAQs

1. Can I use gluten-free cake mix?

Yes, gluten-free cake mixes work perfectly in this recipe.

2. Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Most likely the dough wasn’t chilled long enough.

3. Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes—freeze baked cookies or rolled raw cookie dough balls for up to 2 months.

4. Can I use butter instead of oil?

Yes, butter gives richer flavor and helps cookies stay thick.

5. Are these cookies good for decorating?

Absolutely—top with frosting, sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or colored sugar.

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Conclusion

Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are the perfect combination of easy, festive, and delicious. With only a handful of ingredients and endless customization options, these cookies are ideal for busy holiday seasons when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. Soft, chewy, colorful, and full of Christmas joy, these cookies are guaranteed to become a yearly favorite for your holiday dessert table, cookie swaps, and family gatherings. Make a batch—or several—and enjoy the magic of quick, fun holiday baking.

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