Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe

Get ready to be blown away by this Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe! These simple cake mix cookies are just 5 basic ingredients and so fun to make!

If you’re looking for more last minute holiday treats to add to your cookie plates, check out my Last Minute Fudge, Peppermint Pretzel Crisps or these Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls!

Christmas cookies with sprinkles on platepinterestWe all know that December is a busy time of the year. Christmas band concerts, school plays (possibly virtual) and the hustle and bustle keep us on our toes.

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Don’t let the thought of making cookies for your neighbors, friends, kids, family… yourself… bring you down. With this super easy cake mix cookie recipe you’ll be singing carols and dancing around the kitchen!

Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe

Not only are these Christmas cookies super easy to make, but they’re also soft, chewy and taste like a dream!

ingredients for cake mix cookies

Ingredients For Cake Mix Cookies

Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need to make these cookies. As always, you can find the full list along with a printable version in the recipe card below.

  • White Cake Mix – you can use vanilla or any other flavor you like!
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Sprinkles – I recommend using a cake sprinkle so the colors don’t bleed into the cookie dough.

cookie dough with sprinkles

How To Make Cookies with Cake Mix

These easy cookies are so fun to make, we actually make them all year long with all sorts of flavor options. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies are one of our favorites!

  • Start by combining the cake mix powder (just the powder) in a large bowl along with 2 eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
  • Use a sturdy spoon to mix until it becomes a soft dough. If desired, stir in a few sprinkles!
  • Next, scoop out about 1 tbsp of dough and roll it around in a small bowl of sprinkles to coat completely.
  • Finally, bake the cookies for just 9 to 10 minutes and let cool completely.

cookie dough covered in sprinkles

My kids love helping me coat the cookie dough in sprinkles!

You can use any color of sprinkles you like. How cute are these red, green and white sprinkles for Christmas?!

Tips and Variations for Cake Mix Cookies

The possibilities are ENDLESS when it comes to cake mix cookies. Since they’re so easy to make, you can make a whole platter of different cookies in no time!

Here are a few variations you can try, along with one of my favorite time-saving tips and tools…

  • Lemon Cake Mix with White Chocolate Chips
  • Chocolate Cake Mix with Peppermint Chips
  • Red Velvet Cake Mix with Crushed Up Oreos
  • Chocolate Cake Mix with Mini M&Ms
  • Strawberry Cake Mix with colorful sprinkles
  • Funfetti Cake Mix with rainbow sprinkles

PRO TIP: When it comes time to scoop the cookie dough, I like to use my handy cookie scoop. It keeps my hands clean and makes scooping cookies a breeze.

I also love to use a silicone baking mat for easy, non-sticking of cookies!

cookies cooling on baking rack

Is It Better To Freeze Cookies Before or After Baking?

Wanting to get a head start on baking this year? Good news! This Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe can easily be prepped ahead of time and frozen to free up your holiday season.

Freezing Cookie Dough

Freezing cookie dough will last for 3 to 4 months.

  • The easiest way to freeze these drop cookies is to shape the cookie dough into balls and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
  • Pop the tray in the freezer and let the cookie dough freeze for about an hour before placing the cookie dough balls into a zip close bag and squeezing out as much air as possible.
  • When you’re ready to bake, place the frozen cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and bake right away! Don’t forget to add a few minutes to the bake time.

Freezing Cookies After Baking

Let the baked cookies cool completely and then freeze for 3 to 4 weeks.

  • Make sure you let the baked cookies cool completely before placing in a zip close bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.
  • Use a sharpie marker to label the cookies so you know when you put them in the fridge for max freshness!
  • When ready to enjoy just pull them out of the freezer, place them on a plate and let them come to room temperature!

stack of cookies with sprinkles

I really love how soft and chewy these cake mix cookies are. The coating of sprinkles gives it a nice crunch of texture to the outside too.

It’s a party in your mouth!

More Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes To Try

Wanting to add a few more festive treats to your baking list this year? No problem! I’ve got you covered with these tasty recipes…

bite of cookie on wood table

I can’t wait for you to give this easy recipe a try!

stacked cookies on a plate
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4.95 from 150 votes

Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe

These simple cake mix cookies are just 5 basic ingredients and so fun to make!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 88 kcal
Author: Shawn

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Combine the cake mix powder, eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla extract in a large bowl with a sturdy wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. If desired, stir in ¼ cup sprinkles.
  • Scoop 1 tbsp of dough and roll into a ball, then roll in sprinkles until coated. Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until set and then let cool for 2 to 3 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
See tips in blog post above for freezing cookie dough or baked cookies! 

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 6mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords: cake mix, Christmas, Christmas Cookies, Cookies
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?don't forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!

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stacked cookies on a plate

4.95 from 150 votes (32 ratings without comment)

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371 Comments

  1. This looks like a great recipe to try with grandkids. They will have fun decorating with different sugars and such.

  2. I can’t begin to guess how many of your recipes I’ve saved over the years but every time I search for something good to make one of yours comes up. Don’t know that I will try cake mix cookies but if I do it will be Lemon Cake Mix with Dark Chocolate Chips.
    Thanks for sponsoring the drawing, Shawn,
    Sheila

  3. Who would have ever thought you could make Christmas cookies from a cake mix? What a terrific idea. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. I will be trying them next week. I am a subscriber.

  4. I’m an email subscriber! Just saved this recipe into my Trello board so I have it on December 23rd when I’m last minute trying to bake cookies. 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    I’ve been receiving your email recipes and love trying them! These cookies remind me of my daughter’s joy at this time of year when she was very young. She wanted to add everything (like all of these sprinkles) so they were ‘full of Christmas!’

  6. This recipe looks great – and SO easy. I love lots of your recipes and make them often Thanks
    maryminard831@gmail.com – subscriber

  7. I love cake mix cookies! Easy and delicious…these look so festive, I can’t wait to try them. I am a subscriber and a happy one who really enjoys your recipes.

  8. 5 stars
    I’m in love with the sprinkles you used on these cookies! The little trees are adorable. I can’t wait to make these and I know they will be delicious, just like all your recipes!

    I am an email subscriber, too 🙂

  9. 5 stars
    My grandkids loved making these today, especially when it came to eating them. A recipe to keep. I am an email subscriber also
    Bonnie

  10. Hi Shawn ,i love keeping up with every recipe you upload. I love all your cooking. I follow you on instagram also subscribed on email too. Big fan.

  11. These cookies look so good. I will be certain to make them for Christmas . Thank you for sharing your great receipes. I am an email subscriber.

  12. This recipe looks yummy and I bet nobody will know how easy they are! I am making them tomorrow for my daughter’s goodie box I’m mailing out.

    I AM AN EMAIL SUBSCRIBER!

    1. I’ve made these cookies before, too. They are super easy and really tasty. Thanks for reminding me about this recipe.
      The recipes you share are so amazing. I’ve been following you for a long while, and I’ve made many of your recipes. They are always so easy to follow and make. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
      I definitely follow your blog.

  13. I’ve never used a cake mix for Christmas cookies. I’m going to give it a try this year.
    I’m an email subscriber

    Thank you

  14. I love super easy recipes that look like it took a lot of effort. This fits the bill. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!

  15. I love your recipes! This is awesome and easy. I can’t wait to try this one. I am an email subscriber too!

  16. 5 stars
    Thanks you for sharing Shawn!!!!

    What an awesome recipe and the cookies are so festive looking… my gang will love eating those! I will make several batches to share and who knows?

    I love making my batches and freezing ahead of baking… the reason? If I make the cookies, bake them and then freeze them – I find my 2 legged mice sneaking into my freezer for a few already baked and decorated cookies (sometimes devouring them before they are barely thawed!!!)

    Yes, you read that correctly! By freezing my prepared unbaked cookies, I can bake them as needed and have cookies left for Christmas and for Santa Baby 😉

    Happy Holidays everyone… Please stay safe and healthy!

  17. I am an email subscriber!

    I’m also a happy email subscriber lol! I love your ideas! My daughter(10yrs) and I will be trying the sprinkle cookies for sure! They look so fun and easy! Thank you for that! Enjoy your holidays!