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Holiday Cookies From Boxed Cake Mix
I stumbled onto this tasty time-saver for holiday cookies back in my kitchen ages ago, and it's kept me sane every Christmas since. You'll only need five things to whip these up so quickly it'll shock you. My grandchildren can't wait to make these with me each year - it's become our holiday ritual together. And guess what? They're just right when someone springs a cookie swap on you or friends pop by without notice.
A Foolproof Sweet Treat
What I love most about these cookies is how they bring joy without any headaches. It's amazing how such basic steps can turn out such festive goodies. With those red and green candies, they look so cute sitting on any holiday plate. I just love seeing all the happy people in my kitchen when I pull these from the oven.
What You'll Need
- Cake Mix: Pick chocolate or Devil's Food, whatever makes you happy.
- Vegetable Oil: It's what gives our cookies that lovely moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a bit makes everything taste richer.
- Eggs: They're the magic that keeps everything together.
- M&M's Candies: Go for red and green to look Christmassy, but chocolate chips work fine too.
Easy Baking Steps
- Warm The Oven:
- Set your oven to a toasty 350℉.
- Create Dough:
- Dump cake mix, oil, vanilla and eggs into a bowl and stir until you've got thick dough.
- Add Candies:
- Mix those colorful M&Ms in carefully so they spread all around.
- Form Cookies:
- Make small 1 inch balls from your dough and place them on a cookie sheet without greasing.
- Cook And Rest:
- Bake them for about 9 to 11 minutes then let them sit briefly before moving to a cooling rack.
Storage Tips
Your cookies will stay tasty in a sealed container for roughly 4 days at room temperature. My grandma always told me to toss in a bread slice to keep them soft. You can store them in your fridge for up to a week if anyone lets them last that long. I sometimes freeze batches of dough or finished cookies when planning ahead - they stay good for 3 months that way.
Tips For Cookie Success
Don't forget to use the cake mix straight from the box without following any cake instructions. Try to make all your cookie balls the same size for even baking. I often mix things up with bits of peppermint, chocolate chips, toffee pieces, smashed candy canes or pecans. We love trying different mixes each Christmas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why skip the instructions on the cake box?
We're using the mix for cookies, not cake. The added oil and eggs tweak the texture to make perfect cookies.
- → Does it matter which chocolate mix I use?
Any type works, but devil's food gives a deeper chocolate taste. Stick to the same size box though.
- → How do they bind without using flour?
The mix already has flour. When you add oil and eggs, it turns it into cookie dough that holds together.
- → Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Wrap it up and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature a bit before scooping, since cold dough is tougher to work with.
- → Why leave them on the sheet before moving?
They’re super soft while hot, so cool them on the sheet for a bit to keep them from crumbling.