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Benefits of These Sweet Treats
These cookies hit the spot when you're craving something sweet without any trouble. The cake mix base means they're totally beginner-friendly. Toss in some green and red M&Ms and you've got yourself festive goodies that are as tasty as they are pretty. They keep their softness for days, making them ideal for gatherings or just snacking with the family.Ingredients List
- Cake Mix: A single box of yellow cake mix
- Eggs: Two large eggs from the fridge
- Oil: Half cup of your favorite cooking oil
- M&Ms: Green and red varieties for holiday spirit
How To Prepare
- Warm the oven:
- Set to 350°F for perfect cookie doneness.
- Combine ingredients:
- Dump cake mix, eggs, and oil into a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Incorporate candies:
- Fold in 1 cup of M&Ms carefully to keep them intact.
- Form the cookies:
- Scoop dough onto cookie sheet, leaving room between each.
- Add toppings:
- Press additional M&Ms onto each dough ball.
- Cook them:
- Leave in oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden.
- Cool down:
- Rest for 3 minutes before moving to cooling rack.
Advantages of Box Mix
Box mix takes all the guesswork out of baking. You don't need to grab tons of different ingredients - just open, pour and you're on your way. Feel free to play with different cake mix flavors for variety. It's a foolproof shortcut that delivers great results every time.Oil Selection Tips
Any basic cooking oil does the job perfectly in this recipe. It creates that soft, moist texture you want. You won't detect the oil itself, just enjoy the sweet cookie and candy bits. Feeling adventurous? Swap in coconut oil for a subtle flavor twist.Customization Options
Green and red M&Ms bring that Christmas vibe, but don't stop there. Switch it up with white chocolate chunks, crushed walnuts, or seasonal sprinkles. Get creative - set up a mix-in station before baking. Everyone can customize their own cookies just how they like them.Shaping Techniques
Want picture-perfect cookies? Try this simple trick: as soon as they come out hot from the oven, gently nudge any uneven sides into a circle with your spatula. This quick fix gives you Instagram-worthy cookies for holiday platters.Storage Advice
Make sure your cookies are totally cool before putting them away. Store them in an airtight container to maintain their softness for several days. When stacking, put wax paper between the layers to prevent them from getting stuck together.Frequently Asked Questions
- → What mix works the best?
Yellow mix is our favorite—it makes soft cookies every time. But white mix gives you a perfect blank canvas to decorate. Chocolate mix turns out rich and dark cookies, and devil's food adds deep flavor. Grab whichever you have on hand! Each box makes around 24 cookies.
- → Can I mix in extras?
Absolutely! Toss in walnuts, pecans, mini chips, or even dried cranberries. Coconut flakes are great too. Just keep the extras under 1 cup per batch so the dough stays together. And don’t forget to save some M&Ms for topping!
- → What’s the best way to store them?
Once cooled, layer them in a container with wax paper in between. Use a cookie tin or airtight box. They’ll last about a week at room temp, but no fridge—it dries them out! If they get dry, toss in a piece of bread overnight to soften them.
- → Can I prep them early?
You can! Make the dough ahead and chill up to two days wrapped tightly in plastic. Let it sit out for 30 minutes before scooping. Or roll into balls, then refrigerate so you can bake anytime. It's normal if chilled dough feels stiffer!
- → Good for baking with kids?
Perfect for little hands! The dough isn't sticky, and kids love pressing M&Ms on top. They bake up fast too, so no long waiting. Let them choose holiday colors—red and green for Christmas, pink for Valentine's, orange for Halloween!
Conclusion
Like quick desserts? Give these a go:
- Quick Lemon Squares: Add lemon for a zesty treat.
- Rainbow Drop Cookies: Same mix, extra color!
- Box Brownies: Just toss in eggs and oil for fudgy goodness.