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 delicious and so easy to make.

These yellow cake mix cookies are what we make when I want a quick and easy kitchen activity for the kids. Of course, when we have more time, we love to make homemade sugar cookies but both are family favorites. Baking cookies using box cake mix has been a handy and delicious trick over and over again.

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 flavor of the mix and you can 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!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This cake mix cookie recipe is great when you don’t have a lot of time on your hands because you will get amazing tasting cookies in 15 minutes.
• You can use any kind of cake mix and you’ll still get amazing results so feel free to mix it up! The flavor combinations are truly endless.
• With only 3 ingredients (plus sprinkles) you can make bakery soft cookies for everyone to enjoy. You’ll get so many compliments!

Ingredients Needed For Cake Mix Cookies

• Yellow cake mix – Any brand works great but just be sure to use a 15.25-ounce box. You can also use any flavor of cake mix you prefer or have on hand already.
• Canola oil – Vegetable oil will work fine in it’s place. You can even use softened butter for a richer taste.
• Unsweetened applesauce – Unsweetened works best otherwise the cookies 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.

Cake Mix Cookie Variations

• 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 and roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar.
• Lemon cookies: Swap the yellow cake mix for lemon cake mix.
• Nutty cookies: Mix finely chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, or cashews into the dough.
• White cake mix cookies: Make this same recipe, but use white cake mix instead of yellow.
• Chocolate cake mix cookies: Sub in chocolate mix and add some mint baking chips for a festive winter flavor.

Helpful Tools

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• Silicone spatula
• Wire cooling rack
• Whisk
• Cookie scoop

How To Make Cookies From Cake Mix

Combine the dry cake mix, oil, and applesauce in a large bowl. Fold in the sprinkles.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop the cookie dough by the spoonful on the prepared pan.

Place the pan in the oven and bake the cookies for seven to nine minutes or until they’re set.

Leave the cookies on the pan for one minute and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storage

Store cake mix cookies in an airtight container and they will keep for up to a week at room temperature.

Freezer: Once completely cooled, store cookies in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months.

Can I Make Cookie Dough Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can! Prepare the dough as instructed and then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or the freezer for several months. Be sure to thaw the dough in the fridge before baking.

Pro Tips

• Elevate these cookies by making cookie sandwiches with storebought or homemade frosting.

Why Aren’t My Cookies Soft?

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!

If you take a picture and share them on Instagram make sure to #kidsactivityzone or tag us @kidsactivityzoneblog so we can see them!

More Easy Cookie Recipes

• Festive 4th of July Cake Mix Cookies will be a hit at your backyard Independence Day cookout this summer. The kids will love the patriotic sprinkles and chocolate dip and you will love how easily they come together.
• It doesn’t get any easier than No Bake S’Mores Bars. Everyone will love these sticky, gooey bars whether or not there is a bonfire to enjoy.
• If you’ve got convincing kids on your hands, they may just end up eating Peanut Butter Cereal Bars for breakfast. Peanuts, M&Ms, cereal and a delicious peanut butter sauce are a great any time snack the kids will devour.
• A classic treat, No-Bake Haystack Cookies are crunchy, sweet and a little savory to appease the sweet and salty lovers out there! The kids will love how much they can help with this recipe, plus they are ready to eat in an hour so there is time to work up an appetite.