Cake Mix Cookies Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2024)

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Super easy cake mix cookies are given a festive Easter twist with the addition pastel buttercream and sprinkles.

It was 75 degrees and sunny this weekend, which was so amazing! We flung open the windows, did a little more spring cleaning, and took a much needed trip to Trader Joe’s and World Market. Which basically means we re-cluttered the pantry after cleaning it out. I’m a sucker for Trader Joe’s – I just can’t help myself.

Last week, I cleaned out my baking drawers in an effort to consolidate a gazillion bags of chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows and confectioners’ sugar. If you’ve read My Baking Addiction for any period of time, you know that I’m a self-professed hoarder of baking ingredients. And this time, my stash was out. of. control. I picked up a set of OXO containers from Amazon and got to work. I also pledged to use up a few of the boxed cake mixes that I bought on sale a few months ago.

I get questions about cake mix recipes all the time. And although I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, I like to play around with them on occasion. And since one of my favorite chocolate cake recipes is a doctored up cake mix, I always have a couple on hand.

This time, instead of making a cake or cupcakes, I decided to bake cookies and give them a little festive Easter flair with the addition of pastel buttercream and sprinkles.

Sprinkles were definitely an issue in the Great Pantry Clean-Out of 2014. Eric definitely raised an eyebrow at the sheer number of containers with brightly hued sprinkles inside. Tell me I’m not the only one that gets drawn like a magnet to every seasonal container of sprinkles you find?

These cookies are perfect for a spring birthday party, the Easter dessert table, or even a baby shower treat. They’re a great recipe to keep in your back pocket. Forgot the work potluck? No problema. Kid just told you there’s a bake sale at school tomorrow? Handle it with ease.

I love the buttercream on top – after all, who can resist a sugar cookie with frosting and sprinkles? Certainly not this girl. And it makes these cake mix cookies look totally professional and like they took you all the hours in the world. Hooray for that!

Did you have glorious weather this weekend too? I really hope so!

Cake Mix Cookies

Yield: about 40 cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 7-8 minutes

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Cake Mix Cookies Recipe | My Baking Addiction (3)

Ingredients:

  • 1 box French Vanilla Cake Mix (I used Duncan Hines)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup sprinkles or nonpareils

For the Buttercream

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract (this helps maintain the bright white color)
  • 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Optional

  • sprinkles or nonpareils for topping

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together cake mix and baking powder. Using an electric mixer, beat in eggs one at a time, oil and vanilla. Mix until well combined. If desired, stir in sprinkles until thoroughly distributed into the batter.
  3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. With bottom of glass dipped in flour, flatten to 1/4-inch thickness.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 7-8 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Buttercream:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter on medium-high speed for about 6 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in confectioners’ sugar, and continue beating until well blended.
  2. Add in vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Blend on low speed until moistened.
  3. Add an additional 1 to 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk until you reach the desired consistency. Beat at high speed until frosting is smooth and fluffy; about 5 more minutes.
  4. Pipe frosting onto cooled cookies and top with festive sprinkles.

Notes:

Store cookies in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Cake Mix Cookies Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you use baking soda instead of baking powder in cookies? ›

That is why you will notice that recipes usually call for a small amount of baking soda, typically ¼ teaspoon per 1 cup of flour. Do not make the mistake of trying to substitute equal parts baking soda for baking powder in recipes. Your baked goods will have no leavening, be quite flat, and have an altered taste.

What is the tall cookie trick? ›

My tall cookie trick.

Roll your cookie dough into tall balls instead of perfectly round spheres. Taller balls of cookie dough ensure thicker cookies.

Is baking soda or baking powder better for chocolate chip cookies? ›

Baking powder is likely your best bet if you are in the mood for a light, fluffy cookie. However, when the craving hits for something chewier and denser, like chocolate chip cookies, reach for that box of baking soda to create your perfect batch.

What is a substitute for baking soda in chocolate chip cookies? ›

There are several pantry-friendly ingredients that you can use as baking soda substitutes, including egg whites, self-rising flour and even club soda. Or, you can use baking powder - and even a couple of extremely scientific sounding items that perhaps you just happen to have lying around - baker's ammonia anyone?

What can I substitute baking powder with? ›

8 Substitutes for Baking Powder to Use When You Run Out
  • Cream of Tartar and Baking Soda.
  • Lemon Juice and Baking Soda.
  • Buttermilk and Baking Soda.
  • Molasses and Baking Soda.
  • Yogurt and Baking Soda.
  • Vinegar and Baking Soda.
  • Club Soda.
  • Self-Rising Flour.
Aug 23, 2023

What happens to cookies with too much baking soda? ›

Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible. But don't freak out if you accidentally poured too much baking soda in cookie dough or added too much baking powder to cake batter. Depending on the situation, you might be able to fix it.

What is a cookie hack? ›

Cookies hacking, also known as session hijacking, is a type of cyber attack where an attacker intercepts or steals a user's session cookie to gain unauthorized access to their account or sensitive information on a web application.

Should you flatten cookie dough before baking? ›

Flattening the cookie dough provides more surface area that comes into contact with the ice bath, shortening the time it takes to chill. Then submerge the dough in the ice water and let it chill. After 20 minutes the dough will be completely chilled and ready for baking.

What is the secret to making good cookies? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  1. Always use butter.
  2. Choose the right sugar.
  3. Choose the right flour.
  4. Check your flour is in date.
  5. Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  6. Cream the butter and sugar.
  7. Beat in the eggs.
  8. Fold in the flour.

What does egg do in cookies? ›

Egg yolks also help to keep all of the ingredients together, so, with cookies, they're needed to achieve the right consistency of the dough. And egg whites can help get the cookies to a fluffy end result. Using whole eggs will result in a cookie that has a cake-like texture with a rich flavor.

What happens if you skip baking soda in cookies? ›

You technically can leave out baking soda in certain recipes (like chocolate chip cookies or pancakes) in a pinch, but you need to understand that your finished product will not be as light and fluffy as the recipe intended. Unless you have no other option, you really should use a leavening substitute.

What happens if you don't add baking soda to sugar cookies? ›

Well, it's because soda is the most important ingredient for giving your cookies their texture. If you fail to add a teaspoon of baking soda or however much your recipe needs, the cookies won't have those bubbles inside them to rise up.

Are cookies good without vanilla extract? ›

Vanilla does offer more than just a bit of floral flavor. Sometimes it's a flavor enhancer and sometimes it's a flavor balancer. But to be honest, unless it's a vanilla cookie, it's not a true dealbreaker. Especially if you're making cookies that have lots of other flavors going on, like coconut or dark chocolate.

What if I accidentally use baking soda instead of baking powder? ›

Using the wrong leavening agent

If you accidentally add baking soda instead of baking powder to baked goods, they won't rise because there is not enough acid.

Does baking powder or baking soda make cookies fluffy? ›

Baking soda changes the texture of baked goods by causing a batter or dough to spread, while baking powder produces light, fluffy texture. Some recipes may call for baking soda or baking powder on their own, while others may require both ingredients to create the ideal balance for great texture.

Are my cookies ruined if I forgot baking soda? ›

Without baking soda or baking powder, these cookies will remain a little flatter then other recipes but because of the eggs and creaming of the butter and sugars in this recipe they will still puff up a little in the oven. They will have crispy edges and a soft, chewy center.

Will cookies rise without baking soda? ›

You technically can leave out baking soda in certain recipes (like chocolate chip cookies or pancakes) in a pinch, but you need to understand that your finished product will not be as light and fluffy as the recipe intended.

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