Name: Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) chocolate cake mix (unprepared); 1 cup M&Ms; Peppermint bark squares; Chocolate chips; Toffee bits; Crushed candy canes; Chopped pecans; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sweet holiday magic sparkles with these simple cake mix Christmas cookies that blend festive cheer and effortless baking.

Festive treats don’t get easier than this delightful recipe.

Every baker wants a shortcut during the busy season.

These cookies come together with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

You’ll love how quickly they transform from pantry staples to delectable desserts.

The bright colors and cheerful spirit make them perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings.

Spread some joy with these deliciously simple Christmas cookies that everyone will adore.

Why Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Are So Fun

Craft Festive Treats: Perfect for holiday gatherings, these peppermint sandwich cookies bring a delightful twist to traditional desserts with their elegant striped design and minty flavor.
Master Simple Decorating: Create professional-looking cookies with easy techniques like dipping in candy melts and painting delicate stripes using luster dust, making you feel like a skilled pastry artist.
Customize Your Creativity: Experiment with different stripe patterns, color variations, and peppermint intensity to make each batch uniquely yours, turning baking into a fun personal expression.
Quick Storage Solution: Keep these cookies fresh and ready to serve in an airtight container, ensuring a delicious treat is always within reach without complicated preservation methods.

Cake Base:

Chocolate Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides rich chocolate flavor and basic cookie structure.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.
Vegetable Oil: Ensures a soft and tender texture in the cookies.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall depth of flavor in the cookies.

Mix-Ins:

M&Ms: Colorful chocolate candies that add festive sweetness and crunch.

Optional Toppings:

Peppermint Bark, Chocolate Chips, Toffee Bits, Crushed Candy Canes, Chopped Pecans: Provide extra texture and holiday-inspired flavor variations for the cookies.

Steps to Make Christmas Cookies With Cake Mix

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures the perfect baking environment for your festive treats.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Magic

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine these delightful ingredients:

Chocolate cake mix
Vegetable oil
Vanilla extract
Eggs

Whisk and stir everything together until the mixture transforms into a thick, luscious dough.

Step 3: Add Festive Sparkle

Gently sprinkle in your colorful M&Ms.

Feel free to enhance the cookie experience with extra goodies like:

Peppermint bark
Chocolate chips
Toffee bits
Crushed candy canes
Chopped pecans

Step 4: Shape Delicious Rounds

Roll the dough into cute little balls, each about 1 inch in diameter. Place these cookie spheres onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving approximately 2 inches between each one.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 9-11 minutes until the cookies look set and develop a beautiful golden edge.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Get ready to savor these mouthwatering Christmas treats!

Use room temperature eggs for a smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that creates softer cookies.
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to ensure easy cookie removal and prevent burning.
Choose a dark chocolate cake mix for less sugar or a milk chocolate mix for sweeter cookies, depending on your preference.
Sprinkle crushed candy canes or holiday-themed sprinkles on top of cookies immediately after baking for festive flair.
Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and keep them soft for several days.

Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace chocolate cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and use certified gluten-free M&Ms for those with wheat sensitivities.
Vegan Christmas Treat: Swap eggs with mashed banana or commercial egg replacer, use plant-based cake mix, and select vegan chocolate candies to create dairy-free cookies.
Low-Sugar Holiday Cookie: Utilize sugar-free cake mix, replace M&Ms with sugar-free chocolate chips, and incorporate chopped nuts for added texture and reduced sweetness.
Festive Flavor Remix: Experiment with spice cake mix instead of chocolate, add crushed gingerbread cookies, and use white chocolate chips for a different seasonal profile.

Pairings for Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Festive Milk Pairing: Creamy, cold whole milk perfectly complements these rich chocolate cookies, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the M&M's colorful crunch.
Warm Spiced Chai Latte: Aromatic chai tea with its blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger offers a delightful contrast to the chocolatey cookie, creating a cozy holiday flavor experience.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Mint-infused hot chocolate mirrors the optional peppermint bark in the recipe, amplifying the festive Christmas cookie theme with a warming, indulgent touch.
Dessert Wine Companion: A sweet port or moscato wine provides an elegant adult pairing, balancing the cookie's richness with its smooth, fruity undertones and festive spirit.

Storing Christmas Cookies for Gifting

Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 12 minutes to original baking time.
Place completely cooled cookies in freezer-safe container with wax paper separating layers. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 37 days. Place small piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent drying.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can swap the chocolate cake mix for other flavors like vanilla, red velvet, or funfetti to create unique cookie variations.

How do I prevent the M&Ms from melting completely?

Gently fold the M&Ms into the dough at the end and avoid overmixing. You can also slightly freeze the M&Ms before adding them to help maintain their shape.

What if my dough is too sticky to roll?

If the dough is too soft, refrigerate it for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle and roll into balls.

Are these cookies good for holiday gifting?

Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for holiday gift bags, cookie exchanges, and festive gatherings due to their colorful appearance and easy preparation.

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.

Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

Festive Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Why Cake Mix Christmas Cookies Are So Fun