Easy 4-Ingredient Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies: Soft, Chewy & Irresistible
Discover the ultimate shortcut to homemade deliciousness with these incredibly easy Peanut Butter Cookies! Crafted from a simple boxed cake mix, these cookies are soft, delightfully chewy, and bursting with rich peanut butter flavor. Forget complicated recipes – all you need are just 4 pantry-friendly ingredients to whip up a batch of these crowd-pleasing treats in minutes.
The Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies You’ll Ever Bake
If you’re searching for a quick, fuss-free dessert that tastes like it took hours to make, look no further! These cake mix peanut butter cookies redefine “easy baking.” With only four basic ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a batch of perfectly soft and wonderfully chewy peanut butter cookies. The secret? A box of your favorite yellow cake mix, such as Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker, which provides a convenient foundation for a truly delicious cookie.
We are firm believers in the magic of cake mix desserts as an ultimate time-saving hack. Why spend extra time measuring and mixing when you can leverage pantry staples to create baked goods that genuinely taste homemade? These cookies are a testament to that philosophy – they are so simple, yet yield results that are nothing short of spectacular. Their soft texture and rich peanut butter taste make them an instant favorite for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or just a simple sweet craving.
Our popular Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies inspired this delightful peanut butter version. Once you experience the convenience and deliciousness of baking with a cake mix, you’ll want to explore all the possibilities!
For your convenience, the complete recipe with detailed instructions and a printable recipe card can be found at the very bottom of this post. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to get started on these incredible cookies.
Essential Ingredients for Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
Preparing these fantastic peanut butter cookies requires only a handful of ingredients, making it an ideal recipe for when your pantry is looking a little sparse or you need a quick dessert solution. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect soft and chewy texture with an undeniable peanut butter kick.
- Creamy No-Stir Peanut Butter: This is the star of our show! Using creamy peanut butter ensures a smooth, consistent dough and a rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor. “No-stir” varieties are recommended as they tend to have less oil separation, leading to a more stable cookie dough. Avoid natural peanut butter that separates easily, as it can alter the consistency of the dough.
- Olive Oil (or Vegetable Oil): The oil adds essential moisture and fat, contributing to the cookies’ soft and chewy texture. Olive oil provides a neutral flavor that won’t overpower the peanut butter, but vegetable oil or canola oil are excellent substitutes if that’s what you have on hand.
- Large Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, holding the dough together and adding richness. They also help with the cookie’s rise and overall structure, preventing them from becoming too crumbly. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
- Box of Yellow Cake Mix (15 oz size): This is our secret shortcut! A standard 15-ounce box of yellow cake mix forms the base of these cookies. It contains flour, sugar, leavening agents, and sometimes even a hint of vanilla, providing a perfectly balanced and flavorful foundation without requiring you to measure multiple dry ingredients. Popular brands like Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker work wonderfully.
That’s it! Just four simple items for a batch of truly extraordinary cookies.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies with Cake Mix
Making these cake mix peanut butter cookies is as simple as mixing and baking. Follow these easy steps for a batch of perfect cookies every time:
Step 1: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the creamy peanut butter, olive oil (or vegetable oil), and eggs. Using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) or a sturdy whisk, beat these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. The mixture should be uniform in color and texture, with no streaks of individual ingredients remaining. This initial step creates a rich, fatty base that will beautifully infuse the entire cookie dough with peanut butter flavor.
Step 2: Incorporate the Cake Mix
Once your wet ingredients are perfectly blended, gradually add the entire box of yellow cake mix to the bowl. Mix on low speed, slowly increasing as the ingredients begin to come together. Continue mixing until the cake mix is fully incorporated and a thick, cohesive cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as all the dry streaks disappear to ensure a tender cookie. The dough will be quite thick and somewhat sticky – this is normal!
Step 3: Scoop the Dough
Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking. Using a mini cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) or your hands, scoop out uniform balls of dough. Consistency in size helps ensure all cookies bake evenly. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
Step 4: Roll Dough Balls (Optional but Recommended)
While a scoop works well, for a perfectly round cookie, you can lightly roll each scooped portion of dough between your palms to create smooth, uniform balls. This step helps achieve a more polished look for your final cookies.
Step 5: Create the Signature Criss-Cross Pattern
This classic step not only gives peanut butter cookies their iconic look but also helps flatten the dough slightly for more even baking and a chewier texture. Gently press the tines of a fork onto the top of each dough ball, first in one direction, then rotate the fork 90 degrees and press again to create a criss-cross pattern. Don’t press too hard, just enough to leave a clear imprint and slightly flatten the dough.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the prepared peanut butter cookies for 12-15 minutes. The baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your cookies. Look for cookies that are lightly browned around the edges, but still appear soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake, as this can lead to dry cookies!
Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the cake mix cookies to cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes. This crucial step allows them to set slightly, making them less prone to breaking when transferred. After this initial cooling, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures air circulation all around the cookies, preventing a soggy bottom and maintaining their crisp edges and chewy centers.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies Every Time
- Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate more smoothly into the other ingredients, leading to a more uniform dough and better cookie texture.
- Do Not Overmix: Once you add the cake mix, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher cookies.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents sticking, promotes even baking, and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookies are the same size. This guarantees they bake evenly, so you don’t end up with some underbaked and some overbaked.
- Watch Your Oven: Ovens can vary. Keep an eye on your cookies during the last few minutes of baking. They’re done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set but still soft.
- Don’t Skip the Criss-Cross: This isn’t just for looks; it helps to gently flatten the cookies, ensuring they bake through evenly and have that signature chewy texture.
Variations and Customizations
While these 4-ingredient peanut butter cookies are phenomenal on their own, they also serve as a fantastic base for customization:
- Chocolate Chips: Add 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) to the dough during the last stage of mixing for a classic peanut butter chocolate chip combo.
- Sprinkles: Fold in some colorful sprinkles for a fun, festive touch, especially for birthdays or holidays.
- Different Cake Mix Flavors: Experiment with a chocolate cake mix for a double chocolate peanut butter cookie, or a spice cake mix for a warm, autumnal flavor.
- Extracts: A teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract can deepen the flavor profile, though the cake mix often contains some already.
- Peanut Butter Cups: Press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie dough ball before baking for a delightful surprise.
Serving Suggestions
These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are perfect for any occasion! Enjoy them:
- Warm from the oven with a tall glass of cold milk.
- Paired with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an ultimate dessert.
- Alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
- As a delightful addition to lunchboxes or snack time.
Explore More Delicious Cake Mix Recipes
If you’re as enamored with the simplicity and versatility of cake mix baking as we are, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes that leverage the convenience of a boxed mix to create amazing desserts and treats:
- Cake Mix Snickerdoodles: The classic cinnamon-sugar cookie, made effortlessly with cake mix for a soft and chewy result.
- Frosted Cake Mix Sugar Cookies: Perfect for decorating, these soft sugar cookies come together quickly and are ideal for any celebration.
- Cake Mix Funfetti Cookies: A party in every bite! These vibrant cookies are packed with sprinkles and bring joy with every chew.
- White Cake Mix Cookies: A simple, elegant base for any cookie creation, these are soft, delicate, and endlessly adaptable.
- Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies: Rich, decadent chocolate cookies that are incredibly easy to make, perfect for chocolate lovers.
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies: A seasonal delight, combining the warmth of pumpkin spice with classic chocolate chips.
- Cake Mix Spice Cookies: Full of aromatic spices, these cookies are a cozy treat, especially perfect for fall and winter.
- Cake Mix Blueberry Muffins: Fluffy, moist muffins studded with juicy blueberries, a perfect breakfast or snack hack.
- Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Muffins: Classic chocolate chip muffins made super easy with a cake mix base.
- Cake Mix Banana Bread: Transform overripe bananas and a cake mix into a deliciously moist and flavorful banana bread.
- Cake Mix Brownies: Fudgy, rich brownies that come together in a flash, thanks to the magic of cake mix.
- Cake Mix Banana Muffins: Another fantastic way to use up those ripe bananas for a quick, wholesome-tasting treat.
- Cake Mix Cookie Bars: Easy-to-make cookie bars that are great for feeding a crowd and require minimal effort.
Storing Your Delicious Peanut Butter Cookies
Proper storage ensures your cake mix peanut butter cookies stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible:
- Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store leftover peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their freshness and chewy texture for 4-5 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can sometimes help keep them softer.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, you can freeze baked cookies. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a few seconds.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough! After forming the balls and pressing the criss-cross pattern, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the baking time, or let them thaw slightly before baking.
Now you’re in on the secret to creating the most wonderfully soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible peanut butter cookies: a simple box of cake mix! This effortless recipe proves that you don’t need a pantry full of ingredients or hours of time to enjoy a truly satisfying homemade dessert. The next time you’re craving a quick, easy, and undeniably delicious treat, remember this fantastic hack. Your taste buds (and your busy schedule) will thank you!
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Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
Joy Shull
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
24 cookies
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Ingredients
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15 oz box of yellow cake mix -
2 large eggs -
1 cup creamy no-stir peanut butter -
⅓ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
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In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, creamy peanut butter, and oil until thoroughly combined and smooth. Slowly add the yellow cake mix, mixing until the batter is just combined and no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
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Using a mini cookie scoop or your hands, roll the dough into uniform balls and place them about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Use a fork to gently press down on each cookie dough ball, creating the classic criss-cross pattern.
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Bake the cake mix peanut butter cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are set but still soft.
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Allow the cookies to cool on the baking pan for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 17g,
Protein: 4g,
Fat: 9g,
Saturated Fat: 2g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g,
Trans Fat: 0.04g,
Cholesterol: 14mg,
Sodium: 180mg,
Potassium: 74mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 9g,
Vitamin A: 20IU,
Calcium: 45mg,
Iron: 1mg
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