Jolly Christmas Cookies: Easy Cake Mix Recipe for Holiday Magic

Sweet surprises often emerge when holiday baking blends cake mix magic with festive cheer.

Festive kitchens buzz with creative energy during December.

Winter celebrations call for simple yet delightful treats that spark joy.

These cookies combine convenience and celebration in one delectable bite.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation make this recipe perfect for busy seasonal moments.

Gather your mixing bowl and let’s turn basic pantry staples into something spectacular.

You’ll love how effortlessly these cookies come together, bringing smiles to everyone around the table.

What Goes Into Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

• Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient and flavorful foundation that provides the sweet, cakey texture for the holiday cookies.
• Eggs: Crucial for binding the ingredients and creating a rich, tender cookie structure.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and helps create a soft, smooth cookie dough.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic sweetness that complements the cake mix base.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, airy texture.

• Red Chocolate Chips, Green Chocolate Chips: Colorful additions that bring holiday cheer and extra chocolate flavor to the cookies.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Provides a festive, colorful coating that adds visual appeal and a crunchy texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate, sweet finishing touch with an elegant white dusting.

How To Make Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Fast

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for super easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Magic Base

• Yellow cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Baking powder

Whisk everything together until the mixture transforms into a smooth, dreamy dough.

Step 3: Add Colorful Chocolate Chips

Gently fold the red and green chocolate chips into the dough, making sure they’re spread out evenly for maximum yumminess.

Step 4: Prepare Sprinkle Station

Pour holiday sprinkles into a shallow dish, ready for the festive coating adventure.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Balls

Use your hands to roll small portions of dough into compact, adorable balls.

Step 6: Coat with Festive Sprinkles

Roll each dough ball generously in the holiday sprinkles, creating a colorful and crunchy exterior.

Step 7: Dust with Sweet Powder

Lightly dust each sprinkle-covered ball with powdered sugar for an elegant, sweet finish.

Step 8: Arrange on Baking Sheets

Place the decorated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheets, giving them about 2 inches of space to spread out.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden and centers look slightly soft.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before devouring.

Helpful Notes For Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

• Optimize Sprinkle Coating: Gently press sprinkles into the dough balls to ensure maximum coverage and even distribution of festive colors.
• Manage Moisture Balance: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough cookies, stopping when ingredients are just combined for a tender texture.
• Control Baking Time: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning, aiming for a soft, chewy center with golden edges.
• Select Chip Variety: Experiment with different holiday-themed chocolate chips or mix colors for a personalized festive touch.
• Powdered Sugar Technique: Dust cookies lightly with powdered sugar for a delicate, elegant finish that adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Fun Twists On Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace yellow cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Festive Treats: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and replace vegetable oil with coconut oil for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cookies: Use sugar-free cake mix, swap chocolate chips with sugar-free alternatives, and reduce or eliminate powdered sugar coating for diabetic-friendly option.
• Nutty Winter Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the dough for extra texture and nutty flavor, creating a more complex holiday cookie experience.

Great Pairings For Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

• Warm Milk Magic: Dunk these sprinkle-covered cookies into creamy, steaming whole milk for a classic comfort experience that highlights the cookies' sweet vanilla notes.
• Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bliss: Serve alongside rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed candy cane for a festive flavor explosion that complements the holiday cookie's cheerful spirit.
• Spiced Chai Latte Delight: Brew a fragrant chai tea latte with cinnamon and cardamom to create a warm, spicy counterpoint to the cookie's sugary sweetness, enhancing the overall dessert enjoyment.

How To Keep Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Tasty

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Place completely cooled cookies in sealed container at room temperature. Consume within 3-4 days for best texture and flavor.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or briefly in 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore softness and restore original warmth.

FAQs About Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

• What ingredients make these holiday cookies unique?

The red and green chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles give these cookies a festive, colorful twist that makes them perfect for Christmas celebrations.

• Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can experiment with white or vanilla cake mix as alternatives, which will still provide a soft, tender cookie base.

• How do I ensure my cookies turn out soft and chewy?

Don’t overbake the cookies. Remove them from the oven when the edges are golden but the centers still look slightly soft, which helps maintain their tender texture.

• Is powdered sugar just for decoration?

The powdered sugar adds a subtle sweetness and creates an elegant, snowy appearance that enhances the holiday theme of these cookies.

Why Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Are A Festive Favorite

• Celebrate Holiday Cheer: Create delightful festive cookies that capture the spirit of the season with vibrant red and green chocolate chips and cheerful holiday sprinkles.
• Conquer Baking Easily: Simplify cookie making by using a yellow cake mix base, which guarantees consistent results and eliminates complex measuring of multiple dry ingredients.
• Engage Family Fun: Invite kids to help roll dough balls and coat them in sprinkles, turning baking into a playful and interactive family activity that creates lasting memories.
• Impress Without Stress: Achieve professional-looking cookies with minimal effort by rolling in sprinkles and dusting with powdered sugar, ensuring a stunning presentation that looks carefully crafted.

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25-27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas cookies crafted from simple cake mix bring holiday cheer to your kitchen. Sprinkled with seasonal spirit, these easy treats deliver sweet joy in just minutes.

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Ingredients

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Cake Mix Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Decorative Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• 1/4 cup red and green chocolate chips

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. Whisk the ingredients together until a smooth, uniform dough forms.
3. Gently fold in the red and green chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
4. Pour the holiday sprinkles into a separate shallow dish, preparing for cookie coating.
5. Scoop small portions of the dough and roll them into compact balls using your palms.
6. Roll each cookie dough ball generously in the holiday sprinkles, creating a festive exterior that will add color and crunch.
7. After coating, lightly dust each sprinkle-covered ball with powdered sugar for an extra layer of sweetness and elegant finish.
8. Arrange the decorated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers appear slightly soft.
10. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Swap cake mix flavors for unique twists like chocolate or red velvet to create exciting seasonal variations.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent excessive spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Customize sprinkle colors to match different holidays or personal preferences for year-round festive treats.
• Use gluten-free cake mix and alternative flour to make these cookies suitable for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg