These easy cake mix cookies are made with just three ingredients, plus the mix-ins of your choice! I’m also sharing my favorite variations of this recipe to showcase how versatile it is.

Different flavors of cookies on parchment paper.

If you’ve just been using your cake mix to make cakes, you’ve been missing out! As it turns out, boxed cake mix is the perfect shortcut for making soft, chewy cookies at a moment’s notice.

Plus, there are so many kinds of cookies you can make using just cake mix, oil, and eggs. This recipe works with any variety of boxed cake mix, and you can add any mix-ins you’d like to customize the cookies.

Funfetti, double chocolate, carrot cake, chocolate peanut butter — name a flavor combination, and you can likely make a cake mix cookie version of it.

This is a handy recipe to have on hand for birthday parties, cookie exchanges, and potlucks. The cookie dough doesn’t need to be chilled, so you can have cookies on the table in about 30 minutes!

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make cookies with cake mix.

Recipe Ingredients 

These cake mix cookies couldn’t be simpler to make! You need just three core ingredients to make the actual cookies, and from there you can add whatever mix-ins you like. Here’s everything you need for this recipe: 

  • Boxed cake mix: I prefer to use either Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines cake mixes. You can use any kind that you prefer, just make sure to stick with one that’s 15.25 to 16.25 ounces.
  • Oil: Use a neutral oil, like vegetable or canola. Melted coconut oil will work as well.
  • Eggs: Need to be room temperature before being mixed into the dough. If you forget to sit them out ahead of time, place them in a bowl of warm water for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Sprinkles/Favorite Mix-In: Optional, but highly recommended! You can use just about any mix-in that you like in these cookies. (I’ve listed my favorite mix-in ideas further down in this post.)
Cookie dough in a mixing bowl, with electric beaters resting on the side.
Cookie dough balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

How to Make Cookies with Cake Mix

These cookies take just a few minutes to prepare, and another 10 to 12 to bake. Quick and easy, right? Let’s review the basic steps to making them:

  1. Preheat the oven: While the oven preheats, line a couple of cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  2. Make the cookie dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, oil, and eggs. Then, add your mix-ins of choice.
  3. Form the cookie dough balls: The cookie dough is fairly sticky, so I prefer using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to drop it onto the prepared baking sheets.
  4. Bake: The cookies need to bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. They should look set on top and just slightly browned around the edges.
An overhead view of cake mix cookies of all flavors, on parchment paper.

Recipe Variations

You can customize this cake mix cookie recipe by pairing different types of cake mix with various mix-ins. Here are some of my favorite flavor combinations:

  • Carrot Cake: Use one box of carrot cake mix. If desired, add ¼ cup of raisins and ¼ cups of chopped nuts to the cookie dough or top with cream cheese frosting.
  • Strawberry White Chocolate: Use one box of strawberry cake mix and mix in 1 cup of white chocolate chips.
  • Chocolate Chip: Use one box of yellow cake mix and mix in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Funfetti: Use one box of white or vanilla cake mix, and add 3 tablespoons of sprinkles and ½ cup of white chocolate chips.
  • Lemon/Lemon Crinkle: Use one box of lemon cake mix and add 1 tablespoon of freshly grated lemon zest. For lemon crinkle cookies, coat in powdered sugar right before baking.
  • Double Chocolate: Use one box of chocolate cake mix and add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Red Velvet: Use one box of red velvet cake mix and add 1 cup of white chocolate chips. You can also find my post on how to make red velvet cake mix cookies here.
  • M&M: Use one box of yellow cake mix and add 1 cup of M&M candies.
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter: Use one box of chocolate cake mix and add 1 cup of peanut butter chips or top with peanut butter frosting.
  • Dreamsicle: Use one box of orange cake mix, add 1 tablespoon of freshly grated orange zest and 1 cup of white chocolate chips.
A stack of box cake mix cookies, surrounded by additional cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can melted butter be used instead of oil?

Yes, you can swap out the oil in this recipe for an equal amount of melted butter.

Do I need to add the ingredients listed on the box of cake mix?

No, the cake mix is added to the mixing bowl as a dry ingredient. You are not making cake batter like the box instructs!

What type of cake mix should I use?

Any flavor of cake mix will work in this recipe, so long as it’s 15.25 to 16.25 ounces.

Can I make cookies using gluten-free cake mix?

Absolutely! Just make sure to use a box of gluten-free cake mix that’s similar in size to the one listed in the recipe.

A stack of halved cake batter cookies, surrounded by additional cookies.

Baking Tips

  • Add the boxed cake mix like you would any dry ingredient. Do NOT add the extra ingredients called for on the box.
  • This cookie dough is on the stickier side, so I recommend using a cookie scoop. If the dough is too difficult to scoop, you can place it in the fridge for one to two hours to make it easier to work with.
  • Keep in mind that the cookies will firm up as they cool. If they still look soft after 12 minutes in the oven, don’t fret!
  • I recommend using cake mix from Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker for this recipe. They’re my two favorites and always deliver impressive results!

More Easy Cookie Recipes To Try!

Recipe Video

Several different flavors of cake mix cookies stacked on a piece of parchment paper.

Cake Mix Cookies

4.83 from 39 ratings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
These easy cake mix cookies are made with just three ingredients, plus the mix-ins of your choice! I'm also sharing my favorite variations of this recipe to showcase how versatile it is. 
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Ingredients

Servings: 22 cookies
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box dry cake mix
  • ⅓ cup vegetable or canola oil (80 ml)
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • Optional: 1/2 to 1 cup of your favorite mix-ins

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, oil, and eggs. Once combined, stir in your mix-ins of choice.
  • Drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, about two tablespoons for each cookie.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the tops of the cookies are set and the edges are lightly browned.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Storage instructions: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, place on your counter for one to two hours.
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Danielle
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