Want easy Christmas cookies? Try these Cake Mix Christmas Cookies. Using boxed cake mix makes them super simple to bake, so you can spend more time enjoying the holidays and less time in the kitchen.
Why Make These Cookies
These cookies are perfect when you want something sweet without the fuss. Starting with cake mix means anyone can make them, even if you're new to baking. Add some red and green M&Ms and you've got festive cookies that look great and taste even better. They stay soft and fresh, making them great for parties or simple family treats.
What You Need
- Cake Mix: One box yellow cake mix
- Eggs: Two regular eggs
- Oil: Half cup of any cooking oil
- M&Ms: Red and green ones for Christmas
Steps to Make It
- Heat oven:
- Turn to 350°F. This makes them bake just right.
- Mix stuff:
- Put cake mix, eggs, and oil in a bowl. Stir until smooth.
- Add candy:
- Mix in 1 cup of M&Ms. Stir gentle so they don't break.
- Make cookies:
- Drop spoonfuls on a baking sheet. Leave space between them.
- More candy:
- Put extra M&Ms on top of each cookie.
- Bake them:
- Cook 10-12 minutes until edges look light brown.
- Let cool:
- Wait 3 minutes, then move to a cooling rack.
Why Use Cake Mix
Cake mix makes baking so much easier. No measuring lots of ingredients - just open the box and you're halfway done. You can try different cake mix flavors to make new kinds of cookies. It's a simple way to bake that always works.
About the Oil
Regular cooking oil works great in these cookies. It keeps them soft and moist. You won't taste the oil, just the sweet cookie and candy. Want to try something different? Use coconut oil - it adds a nice flavor.
Mix in Different Things
Red and green M&Ms make them look Christmas-y, but you can use other things too. Try chocolate chips, nuts, or different colored candies. Make it fun - let everyone add their own mix-ins before baking. That way each person gets exactly what they like.
Making Them Look Pretty
Want round, nice-looking cookies? Here's a trick: right when they come out of the oven, use a spatula to push any uneven edges into a circle. This makes them look perfect for sharing or serving at parties.
Keeping Them Fresh
Let the cookies cool completely before you store them. Put them in a container with a tight lid. This keeps them soft and fresh for days. Stack them with wax paper between layers so they don't stick together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which cake mix works best?
Yellow cake mix is our go-to, but don't stop there! White cake makes bright white cookies - perfect for decorating. Chocolate mix makes rich dark ones. Devils food works too. Just grab what's in your pantry. Each box makes about 24 cookies.
- Can I add extra stuff?
Go wild! Throw in some nuts - we love walnuts or pecans. Mini chips work great. So do dried cranberries or coconut. Just don't add more than 1 cup total of extra goodies or the cookies might fall apart. And save some M&Ms for the tops!
- How do I keep them fresh?
Once they're totally cool, put them in a cookie tin or plastic box with a tight lid. Put wax paper between layers so they don't stick. They'll stay soft for a week on the counter. Don't put them in the fridge - makes them hard. If they get a bit dry, pop a piece of bread in the container overnight.
- Can I make them early?
Mix up the dough and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Wrap it tight in plastic. Let it warm up about 30 minutes before scooping. Or roll it into balls first, then chill - they're ready to bake when you are. The dough might get a bit stiff when cold - that's normal!
- Good for baking with kids?
These are perfect for little bakers! Kids love pushing M&Ms on top. The dough is easy to handle and won't stick to fingers like scratch cookies. Plus they bake fast - perfect for short attention spans. Let kids pick their favorite colors for each holiday. Green and red for Christmas, pink for Valentine's, orange for Halloween!
Some More Ideas
Love quick baking? Try these too:
- Box Brownies: Just add eggs and oil for fudgy squares
- Quick Lemon Squares: Mix in lemon juice for tangy treats
- Rainbow Drop Cookies: Same easy mix with colorful chips