Cake Mix Cookies
If your kids want to bake cookies it doesn’t get easier than these four-ingredient Cake Mix Cookies! We used yellow cake mix with sprinkles, but the mix and match options are endless. Soft, chewy cookies that are so easy to make and delicious.
These yellow cake mix cookies are what we make when I want a quick kitchen activity for the kids. When we have more time, we love to make homemade sugar cookies! Both are family favorites and this cake mix cookie recipe is great when you don’t have a lot of time.
Yellow Cake Mix Cookies
I love that you only need four ingredients to make soft and chewy cookies! You don’t need any eggs or milk for this recipe. Unsweetened applesauce is the secret ingredient.
Once you know how to make cookies with cake mix, the possibilities are endless. Just change up the mix to create all kinds of different cookies!
This is a great recipe to make with kids because they can help with measuring, stirring, and scooping! Oh, and of course, the eating – a batch of fresh-baked cookies is a great reward for helping!
Fill the cookie jar with these sprinkle cookies and it will be empty before you know it!
Ingredients Need for Cake Mix Cookies
- Yellow cake mix – Any brand works great but just be sure to use a 15.25-ounce box.
- Canola oil – or vegetable oil.
- Unsweetened applesauce – unsweetened works best otherwise the cake will be too sweet. You can use store-bought or homemade applesauce.
- Rainbow sprinkles – these are optional or you can swap them for other mix-ins (more about that in a minute!).
Helpful Tools
How to Make Cookies with Cake Mix
Mix: Combine the mix, oil, and applesauce in a large bowl. Stir in the sprinkles.
Drop: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop the cookie dough by the spoonful on the prepared pan.
Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake the cookies for seven to nine minutes or until they’re set.
Cool: Leave the cookies on the pan for one minute and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cake Mix Cookie Variations
Are you thinking about all the ways to make cookies with cake mix now? There are so many options – here are just a few ideas!
Chocolate chip cookies: swap the sprinkles for chocolate chips! Or try white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or other baking chips you love.
M&M cookies: Use mini M&Ms instead of sprinkles.
Cinnamon cookies: Add some ground cinnamon to the cookie dough.
Lemon cookies: Swap the yellow cake mix for lemon cake mix!
Nutty cookies: Mix in finely chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
White cake mix cookies: Make this same recipe, but use white cake mix instead of yellow.
How long do cake mix cookies keep?
Store them in an airtight container and they will keep for up to a week at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to three months!
My cookies aren’t soft. What happened?
If your cookies are tough or hard, two things might have happened. First, you might have overmixed the dough. Only mix until combined – if you overmix the flour will get overworked and make your cookies tough.
Second, don’t overbake the cookies. Bake them just until they are set and then take them out of the oven.
These easy cake mix cookies are always a fun baking project. The whole family will love these yummy soft and chewy cookies!
More Easy Baking Recipes
- Swirl Cake is a fun and colorful cake that’s easy to make!
- Mini Funfetti Cheesecakes are another great way to use those fun rainbow sprinkles!
- Turkey Cupcakes are so cute and easy to decorate!
- Rainbow Cupcakes are perfect for parties and potlucks!
If you take a picture and share them on Instagram make sure to #kidsactivityzone or tag us @kidsactivityzoneblog so we can see them!
Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix
- ½ cup canola oil
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Move the oven rack to the middle position, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, canola oil, and applesauce until no streaks of flour remain.
- Stir in sprinkles until just combined.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes or until set. Allow the cookies to cool for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Notes
Chocolate chip cookies: swap the sprinkles for chocolate chips! Or try white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or other baking chips you love.
M&M cookies: Use mini M&Ms instead of sprinkles.
Cinnamon cookies: Add some ground cinnamon to the cookie dough.
Lemon cookies: Swap the yellow cake mix for lemon cake mix!
Nutty cookies: Mix in finely chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
White cake mix cookies: Make this same recipe, but use white cake mix instead of yellow. HOW LONG DO CAKE MIX COOKIES KEEP?
Store them in an airtight container and they will keep for up to a week at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to three months! MY COOKIES AREN’T SOFT. WHAT HAPPENED?
If your cookies are tough or hard, two things might have happened. First, you might have overmixed the dough. Only mix until combined – if you overmix the flour will get overworked and make your cookies tough.
Second, don’t overbake the cookies. Bake them just until they are set and then take them out of the oven.
