Cake Mix Cookies with Mix-ins Recipe

If you’re anything like me, sometimes you want cookies but don’t want to fuss with complicated batter or ingredient hunting. That’s why I absolutely love this Cake Mix Cookies with Mix-ins Recipe—it’s a total game changer. You’ll have soft, fluffy cookies in under 20 minutes using just a box of cake mix plus a couple of simple ingredients, and the best part? You get to customize with any mix-ins or frosting you like. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll never look at boxed cake mix the same way again!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes these cookies so effortless is the simplicity of the ingredients—you probably have most of them on hand already. Choosing a cake mix flavor you love really sets the cookie’s personality, so shop your favorites and get ready to mix things up.

• Cake Mix: I like to pick fun flavors like red velvet or chocolate fudge, but classic yellow or white cake mix works beautifully too.
• Eggs: These help bind everything together; using large eggs keeps the texture just right.
• Oil: Vegetable or canola oil is best here—it keeps the cookies moist without adding extra flavor that competes with your mix-ins.
• Mix-ins or Frosting: This is where you get creative! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, candies, or even swirls of frosting—go wild.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Cake Mix Cookies with Mix-ins Recipe is how adaptable it is. I’ve made it gluten-free by swapping in GF cake mix, added seasonal spices for holidays, and even used dairy-free frosting to keep it allergy-friendly. Seriously, this cookie dough welcomes your twists!

• Chocolate Chunk Explosion: Adding chunks of dark chocolate really upped the chocolate factor for my chocoholic friends—definitely a crowd-pleaser.
• Peanut Butter Fun: Swirling peanut butter frosting on top turned these into a dessert that my family begged me to make every week.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Using a gluten-free cake mix allowed me to bring these cookies to a party where some guests had allergies, and no one missed the gluten at all.
• Festive Mix-ins: I’ve thrown in crushed peppermint and mini marshmallows for a winter treat that tastes like a holiday hug.

How to Make Cake Mix Cookies with Mix-ins Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Space and Ingredients

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat—this makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your cookies from sticking. Gather your cake mix, eggs, oil, and any mix-ins you want to throw in. I love using a medium cookie scoop because it helps keep the cookies uniform in size, which means they bake evenly.

Step 2: Mix it Up

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the cake mix, eggs, and oil until everything’s just combined. The texture will be thick but smooth. If you want to add mix-ins, this is the perfect time—gently fold them in with a spatula so they get evenly distributed without over-mixing. I once added rainbow sprinkles and ended up with the happiest, most colorful cookies.

Step 3: Scoop and Bake

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough onto the prepared pan, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. Pop them into your hot oven for 10-12 minutes. You’ll want to watch for the edges turning just golden—this little sign means they’re perfectly cooked while still soft inside. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the pan for 4 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 4: Frost or Enjoy Plain

If you’re dressing your cookies up with frosting, make sure they’re completely cool before adding any toppings. I like to pipe frosting on with a piping bag for a pretty swirl, but you can totally spread it with a knife. If you’re going classic, these cookies are amazing straight from the oven or once cooled—they practically melt in your mouth.

How to Serve Cake Mix Cookies with Mix-ins Recipe

Garnishes

When I want to add a final touch, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a drizzle of melted chocolate really elevates these cookies. Sometimes, I top them with a few extra mini chocolate chips or a colorful handful of sprinkles to make them party-ready.

Side Dishes

These cookies go wonderfully with a cold glass of milk (classic for a reason!). For grown-up gatherings, I’ve paired them with vanilla or coffee-flavored ice cream, which brings a dreamy contrast to the warm, soft cookie texture.

Creative Ways to Present

I love arranging these cookies on a tiered dessert stand when guests come over—it makes a simple cookie look fancy and inviting. For birthdays, I’ve even piped fun frosting designs on top and added edible glitter for a festive flair!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and delicious for about 3-4 days. You can place a piece of bread inside the container to help maintain moisture, a little trick I picked up early on.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these cookies (and I often do!), freeze them unbaked by scooping balls of dough onto a tray, flash freezing, then transferring to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to baking time. You can also freeze fully baked cookies in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To bring leftover cookies back to life, I like warming them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or popping them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This helps restore that freshly baked softness and melty goodness—especially if you’re frosting them afterward.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Cake Mix Cookies with Mix-ins Recipe has saved me so many times when I needed a quick dessert fix or a last-minute treat for friends. It’s incredibly forgiving, super quick, and oh-so-delicious. I’m confident you’ll love how easy and tasty these cookies turn out—and I hope you’ll experiment with your favorite flavors and toppings, too. Baking should be fun and stress-free, and this recipe really delivers on that promise.

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