Effortlessly Delicious Cake Mix Christmas Cookies: Your Go-To Festive Treat!
Looking for a holiday dessert that’s both fun and incredibly simple to make? These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are your answer! With minimal effort and maximum festive cheer, you can whip up a batch of these delightful treats in no time, perfect for any holiday gathering or a cozy night in.
The Easiest Christmas Cookies You’ll Ever Bake!
Forget complicated recipes and endless ingredient lists. Our cake mix Christmas cookies are a true holiday hack, requiring just a box of cake mix and a few other common pantry staples. This recipe is designed for ease, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules, beginner bakers, or anyone who wants a delicious dessert without the fuss.
Cake mix recipes are a secret weapon for crafting homemade treats in a fraction of the time, and these festive cookies are no exception. Similar to our beloved Christmas cookie bars, these M&M-studded delights come together with only 4 ingredients! It’s no wonder they’ve become one of our absolute favorites during this special time of year.
Why You’ll Adore These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
Beyond their incredible simplicity, there are so many reasons to make these cake mix cookies a staple in your holiday baking repertoire:
- Unbeatable Simplicity: Seriously, it doesn’t get much easier than this. If you can open a box and crack an egg, you can make these cookies!
- Perfectly Chewy & Soft: The cake mix base ensures a consistently soft and chewy texture that everyone loves.
- Customizable Fun: While M&M’s add classic holiday cheer, these cookies are a blank canvas for your favorite festive add-ins.
- Kid-Friendly Baking: This recipe is simple enough for little helpers to join in, making it a wonderful activity for creating lasting holiday memories.
- Budget-Friendly: Using a cake mix is often more economical than buying all the individual ingredients for a from-scratch cookie recipe.
- Quick Turnaround: From mixing bowl to cooling rack in under 30 minutes!
Essential Ingredients for Your Festive Cookies
You’ll be amazed at how few items you need to create such a delightful holiday treat. Gather these four simple ingredients:
- Cake mix: We opted for classic yellow cake mix, which provides a lovely buttery flavor and a bright canvas for the M&M’s. However, feel free to experiment with other flavors like vanilla, white, or even funfetti for an extra pop!
- Oil: Any neutral-flavored oil such as vegetable oil or light olive oil works perfectly here. It helps keep the cookies moist and tender.
- Eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients together and adding richness to the cookie dough.
- Christmas red & green M&M’s: These iconic candies bring vibrant color and a delightful chocolate crunch, instantly making your cookies festive. You’ll need a good amount for mixing in and topping!
Crafting Your Cake Mix Christmas Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s dive into the super simple process of making these delightful holiday cookies. You’ll be enjoying warm, festive treats in no time!
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature for even baking as soon as your cookies are ready.
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the entire box of yellow cake mix, the two eggs, and the ½ cup of oil. Use a sturdy spoon or an electric mixer (on low speed) to thoroughly combine these ingredients. Mix until a thick, uniform cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
Step 2: Fold in the Festive M&M’s. Now for the fun part! Gently fold 1 cup of the Christmas-colored M&M’s into your cookie batter. A rubber spatula is ideal for this, ensuring the candies are evenly distributed without crushing them. Mix until the vibrant red and green M&M’s are beautifully incorporated throughout the festive cookie batter.
Step 3: Scoop, Top, and Bake! Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to drop rounded spoonfuls of cookie batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading. For an extra festive touch and a more appealing look, press a few additional M&M’s onto the top of each cookie dough ball before baking. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges; the centers might still look a little soft, which is perfect for a chewy cookie.
Once the cookies are removed from the oven, allow them to rest on the baking pan for about 3 minutes. This crucial step allows them to set slightly and continue cooking gently, preventing them from falling apart when transferred. After this initial cooling, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. The wait is the hardest part!
These cake mix Christmas cookies were an absolute hit! They maintain a wonderfully soft and chewy texture even after cooling, and the abundance of red and green M&M’s makes them incredibly festive and appealing. They are seriously yummy and unbelievably simple to throw together, making them a perfect go-to holiday treat.
Pro Tips for Perfectly Festive Cookies Every Time
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): If your dough feels too sticky or you have time, chilling it for 15-30 minutes can make it easier to handle and can result in slightly thicker cookies.
- Use Parchment Paper: This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Silicone baking mats also work wonderfully.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies should be lightly golden at the edges, even if the centers look a little soft. They will continue to set as they cool. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
- Add Extra M&M’s on Top: For that picture-perfect bakery look, press a few extra M&M’s into the tops of the cookie dough balls before baking.
- Even Sizing: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookies are the same size, promoting even baking.
Creative Variations for Your Holiday Cookies
While M&M’s are a classic, feel free to get creative and customize these cookies to your heart’s content:
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Swap M&M’s for white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chunks.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
- Sprinkle Spectacle: Mix in or top with festive sprinkles (nonpareils, jimmies, sanding sugar) for an extra pop of color.
- Different Cake Mix Flavors: Try chocolate cake mix with peppermint chips, red velvet cake mix with white chocolate, or spice cake mix for a unique twist.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Once cooled, these cookies are delicious with a swirl of cream cheese frosting.
- Peppermint Perfection: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough and use crushed candy canes as a topping.
Storing Your Festive Treats
To keep your delicious cake mix Christmas cookies fresh and soft, store any leftovers in an airtight bag or container at room temperature. They will maintain their quality for 3-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature before serving. You can also freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls for a quick treat later – just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Explore More Easy Cake Mix Recipes!
If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these cake mix Christmas cookies, you’re in for a treat! Cake mix is a versatile ingredient that can transform into a wide array of baked goods with minimal effort. Here are some more fantastic cake mix recipes to try:
- Cake Mix Sugar Cookies
- Cake Mix Brownies
- Cake Mix Banana Bread
- Cake Mix Blueberry Muffins
- Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
- Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies
- Cake Mix Spice Cookies
- Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
- Cake Mix Snickerdoodles
Perfect for Any Holiday Occasion
These cake mix Christmas cookies are incredibly versatile and make a fantastic addition to almost any holiday event. They’re a superb choice for a festive holiday party, a charming item for a bake sale, a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and neighbors, or simply a delightful treat to enjoy with your family by the fireplace. Their vibrant colors and delicious taste embody the spirit of the season. Give them a try this holiday season and watch them disappear!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
A: Absolutely! While yellow cake mix provides a classic base, vanilla, white, chocolate, or even red velvet cake mix would work wonderfully. Each flavor will give your cookies a unique twist.
Q: Do I need to chill the dough?
A: Chilling the dough is optional for this recipe, but if your dough feels particularly sticky or if you want slightly thicker cookies that spread less, a 15-30 minute chill in the refrigerator can be beneficial.
Q: How can I make these cookies even more festive?
A: Beyond M&M’s, you can add festive sprinkles, drizzle them with melted white chocolate, or add a touch of peppermint extract to the dough. Crushed candy canes make a beautiful and tasty topping too!
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
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Ingredients
- 15 oz box of yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup olive oil , or vegetable oil
- 10 oz bag of Christmas red & green M&M’s
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C).
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix thoroughly until a uniform cookie dough forms.
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Gently fold 1 cup of the Christmas M&M’s into the cookie batter using a rubber spatula until evenly distributed.
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Spoon rounded balls of the Christmas cookie batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them. Press additional M&M’s on top of each cookie for extra color.
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Bake the cookies at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. Allow them to cool on the baking pan for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 22g,
Protein: 2g,
Fat: 8g,
Saturated Fat: 3g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g,
Trans Fat: 0.1g,
Cholesterol: 15mg,
Sodium: 137mg,
Potassium: 13mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 14g,
Vitamin A: 44IU,
Vitamin C: 0.1mg,
Calcium: 51mg,
Iron: 1mg
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