Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Fluffy Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe: Sweet & Simple Joy

Sweet, unexpected magic happens when crinkle cookies meet a clever cake mix shortcut.

Bakers love discovering simple techniques that deliver wow-factor desserts.

These delightful treats crack beautifully across their sugary surface, revealing tender chocolate goodness underneath.

Powdered sugar creates those signature crinkled patterns that make everyone smile.

Each cookie delivers rich, fudgy flavor without complicated mixing steps.

Home kitchens transform into delicious bakeries with minimal effort.

This recipe promises delectable results that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Crinkle Cookies That Stay Soft and Sweet

  • Transform store-bought cake mix into delightful crinkle cookies with minimal effort and maximum tastiness.
  • Requires just four basic ingredients- cake mix, eggs, oil, and powdered sugar- making this recipe perfect for spontaneous baking sessions.
  • Little hands can help roll dough balls and coat them in powdered sugar, turning cookie making into a fun family activity.
  • Delivers impressive-looking cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish, ideal for last-minute gatherings or unexpected sweet cravings.
Cake Base:
  • Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides structure and flavor for the cookies, choose any flavor you like for variety.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a soft, chewy texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender cookie.
Coating and Flavoring:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates the classic crinkle cookie look and adds a sweet, powdery finish, sift for smoother coating.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with a warm, sweet note, optional but recommended.
Baking Essentials:
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup, helps create even baking surface.

Bake Crinkle Cookies Without Complication

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F (175C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat for smooth cookie magic.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Wonderland

Toss these ingredients into a mixing bowl:
  • Cake mix
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract

Blend everything until you’ve got a soft, sticky dough that looks like pure happiness.

Step 3: Snow-Coat Your Cookies

Pour powdered sugar into a shallow bowl- this is where the cookie transformation happens!

Step 4: Shape Delightful Cookie Balls

Scoop out the dough using a tablespoon or cookie scoop. Roll each dollop into adorable 1-inch balls. Give each ball a luxurious roll in the powdered sugar, making sure it’s completely blanketed in white.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Arrange your sugar-coated cookie balls on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set and those beautiful crinkle tops start to appear.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely. Your crinkle cookie adventure is complete!

  • Customize Your Cake Mix: Experiment with different cake mix flavors like chocolate, red velvet, or funfetti to create unique crinkle cookie variations.
  • Perfect Powdered Sugar Coating: Generously roll dough balls in powdered sugar for a thick, even coating that creates those signature crinkle cookie cracks.
  • Prevent Sticky Dough: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling if it's too soft, making it easier to handle and shape into balls.
  • Control Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop for consistent-sized cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made.
  • Store Smart: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, crackly texture.

How to Keep Crinkle Cookies Fresh

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Preserve quality for 2-3 months by separating layers with wax paper. Label with date.
  • Remove frozen cookies and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to maintain original texture.
  • If cookies become slightly hard, place a slice of bread in the container overnight. The moisture will help soften the cookies gently.

What Tastes Good with Crinkle Cookies

  • Serve these crinkle cookies with cold, creamy whole milk that perfectly complements the sweet, powdery texture and balances the cookie's rich flavor.
  • Match these cookies with a light dessert wine like Moscato d'Asti, whose delicate sweetness and slight effervescence enhance the cookie's sugary crinkle coating.
  • Pair with a smooth medium roast coffee or a velvety cappuccino, which cuts through the cookie's sweetness and provides a warm, aromatic contrast.
  • Enjoy alongside warm spiced apple cider during winter months, creating a cozy and nostalgic taste experience that highlights the cookie's comforting nature.

Color and Flavor Swaps for Crinkle Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace the cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and use certified gluten-free powdered sugar for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Swap regular cake mix with chocolate cake mix and add cocoa powder for an intense chocolate flavor that chocolate enthusiasts will adore.
  • Vegan Friendly Option: Use a vegan cake mix, replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), and substitute vegetable oil with coconut oil.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Select a sugar-free cake mix and use a sugar-free powdered sweetener instead of traditional powdered sugar to reduce overall sugar content.
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Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Chocolate cake mix crinkle cookies deliver pure joy in every powdery, sugar-dusted bite. Winter’s favorite sweet treat brings delightful simplicity and rich chocolate comfort straight to your kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) cake mix
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil

Coating:

  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar

Flavor Enhancer:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare workspace by lining baking sheets with parchment paper and positioning oven rack in the center position.
  2. Create cookie base by whisking together cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until a uniform, tacky mixture develops.
  3. Create a powdered sugar coating station using a shallow, wide bowl filled with fine white sugar.
  4. Craft individual cookie portions by scooping uniform dough balls using a measuring spoon or cookie scoop.
  5. Thoroughly enrobe each dough sphere in powdered sugar, ensuring complete and generous coverage with a gentle rolling motion.
  6. Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining consistent spacing to allow proper expansion during baking.
  7. Transfer cookie-laden sheets into preheated oven and bake until edges become firm and surfaces develop characteristic crackled texture.
  8. Remove cookies from oven and permit brief resting period directly on baking sheet to stabilize structural integrity.
  9. Carefully transfer cookies onto wire cooling rack, allowing complete cooling and sugar coating to set perfectly.

Notes

  • Always sift powdered sugar for smoother, more even coating and prevent lumpy surfaces on cookies.
  • Use different cake mix flavors like chocolate, red velvet, or funfetti to create unique cookie variations.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling in powdered sugar for easier handling and more defined crinkle effect.
  • Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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