Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are pure dessert magic, perfect for any occasion. With just a few ingredients and a burst of flavor in every bite, they’re an instant crowd-pleaser!
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These crinkle Christmas cookies with cake mix are my go-to holiday cookies! With just a handful of simple ingredients, they’re a breeze to whip up.
Whether it’s a festive gathering, a cozy evening by the fireplace, or a craving for something sweet, these easy Christmas cookies using cake mix are the perfect choice. They’re the kind of cookies that don’t need a special occasion — they create their own special moments.
So, whether you’re a seasoned baker looking for a stress-free holiday treat or someone who might just love baking cookies, crinkle cookies with cake mix are the answer!
What Are Crinkle Cookies?
Crinkle cookies from cake mix are delightful, soft-textured treats known for their crackled appearance.
They get their name from the distinctive cracks that form on the surface as they bake, creating a sweet, chewy, and visually appealing dessert.
Ingredients
- Box of Vanilla Cake Mix
- 1 tub of Cool Whip
- Egg
- Vanilla Extract
- Powdered Sugar
How to Make Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and set it aside.
STEP TWO: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to blend together the cake box mix, thawed Cool Whip, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined — the dough will be thick and sticky. Avoid adding extra dry ingredients.
STEP THREE: Add powdered sugar to a shallow bowl or plate.
STEP FOUR: Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough, releasing it into the powdered sugar. Roll the cookie dough balls to coat them evenly with powdered sugar.
STEP FIVE: Put the coated cookie ball onto your prepared cookie sheet, making sure to space them at least 1 ½ inches apart. Repeat until your cookie sheet is filled.
STEP SIX: Bake cake mix cookies in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the edges turn golden.
STEP SEVEN: Allow vanilla crinkle cookies to cool on the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack.
Tips to Make the Best Crinkle Cookies
- To achieve that desired crinkle top these vanilla crinkle cookies are famous for, generously coat the cookie dough with powdered sugar before baking.
- If you can, steer clear of making this crinkle cookie recipe on a hot day – humidity can make that coating melt faster. And remember, let your treats cool individually for the best outcome.
- Make sure to leave at least 1 ½ inches between your cake mix crinkle cookies, otherwise they can meld into one another, losing that perfect crinkle appearance.
Variations to Making Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
- For extra crinkles in your delicious cookies, try rolling the dough in granulated sugar first, creating a double layer, for enhanced moisture release which causes the cracks to form.
- There’s no need to keep these cookies their typical cream color. Feel free to experiment with food coloring to customize these delicious cookies to your liking. This is especially perfect if you want to make Christmas cookies with cake mix — you can use red and green coloring!
- Add a touch of Jello mix when making crinkle cookies from cake mix to add a new flavor and a colorful hue.
- Use lemon cake mix for your cake mix cookies, or add some lemon extract for a more subtle hint. It’s one of my favorite flavors for this crinkle cookie recipe!
More Cake Mix Recipes
- Pumpkin Bread with Cake Mix
- Strawberry Banana Cake
- Orange Creamsicle Cookies
- Pecan Upside Down Cake
- Banana Bread with Cake Mix
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake With Crushed Pineapple
How to Store Cake Mix Cookies
To store crinkle cookies, allow them to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature for up to one week.
You can also freeze cake mix cookies, but make sure they’ve cooled completely. Then, neatly stack them with parchment paper between layers inside a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored this way for up to three months. When you’re ready to savor them, simply thaw them at room temperature!
Do I Have To Use Vanilla Cake Mix for this Crinkle Cookie Recipe?
While vanilla crinkle cookies are a classic, they’re definitely not the only choice! So many flavors are delicious for these cookies — try chocolate, red velvet, or even strawberry cake mix. The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
More Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes You’ll Love:
- Easy Iced Thumbprint Cookies
- Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar
- 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Slice and Bake Cookies
- Hershey Kiss Cookies
- 35 Easy Christmas Cookies to Make With Just a Few Ingredients
Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box 15.25 oz cake mix Super Moist Vanilla, Betty Crocker
- 1 tub 8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed (This cannot be substituted with regular whip cream; Notes)
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar to roll the dough in before cooking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the cake mix, thawed Cool Whip, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Mix until all combined. You will have a thick and sticky dough. It’s ok. Don’t be tempted to add more dry ingredients.
- Pour your powdered sugar into a shallow bowl or plate.
- With a cookie scoop, scoop the dough and release it into the powdered sugar.
- Roll the ball to coat it evenly with powdered sugar.
- Place the coated cookie ball into your prepared cookie sheet. Make sure cookie balls are at least 1 ½ inches apart.
- Repeat steps 6–8 until you have filled your cookie sheet.
- Cook in a preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are set and the edges are golden.
- Cool in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, then carefully transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
How to cool the crinkle cookies:
When placing the cookies on the cooling rack, do not stack them because the residual heat will melt the powdered sugar on top. It does not change the taste, but visually it is not as perfect as when they came out of the oven.How to choose the right cake mix:
There are multiple cake mix flavors and sizes. I highly recommend using a 15.25 oz Vanilla Super Moist cake mix. This cake mix emphasizes the vanilla taste and creates amazing results—a soft fudge cookie with an explosion of vanilla and no need to add more ingredients. Using a plain white or yellow cake does not give you the perfect vanilla taste because adding too much vanilla extract means all you taste is the extract. Mixing the vanilla taste between the cake and the extract evens out the flavors.Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Should you roll the dough ball in granulated sugar before you freeze them?
Hi Kathie, I do not roll the dough in sugar before freezing, but I usually freeze everything on a baking sheet with parchment paper for about an hour or two and then wrap it to freeze. This way the dough does not stick together.
Can we make these cookies without the powdered sugar?
I recommend only making them with the sugar for taste and consistency of the cookie once baked.