Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

These cheery red and green Christmas Cookies are a cinch to make. Using a cake mix as a base gives a big headstart on the process. More time for decorating!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 12

Dough Chilling Time (30 minutes minimum) + Cooling Time 50

Total Time 1 32

Servings cookies

Calories 69kcal

Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

1 15-ounce box vanilla cake mix regular or gluten-free*
2 eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
2 drops green gel food coloring
½ cup red and green M&Ms plus more for decorating
½ cup white chocolate chips plus more for decorating

Instructions

Beat together the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil just until combined.
Add the food coloring and beat until well mixed.
Stir in the M&Ms and chocolate chips.
Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Use a tablespoon (or a 1 tablespoon cookie dough scoop) to scoop a heaping spoonful of dough. Roll the dough into a ball and place it on the lined baking sheet. Press the dough down slightly, then decorating with additional candy and chocolate chips if desired. Repeat until all the dough has been used.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are set and the edges of the cookies are just turning slightly golden in color.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

Recipe Prep Time note

This time includes assembling the cookie batter, rolling the dough balls and adding decoration on top.

Using Gluten-free Cake Mixes

These cookies are delicious with gluten-free cake mixes too. Gluten-free cake mixes are not always 15-ounces. Use a cake mix that makes a regular layer cake volume. For our gluten-free version we used Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Vanilla Yellow Cake mix which is 19-ounces and it worked great.

Pro Tip for Handling Sticky Dough

When rolling the cookies into balls the dough can become sticky.

Be sure to chill the dough as directed.
Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop if possible.
Don't overhandle the dough.
If needed spray your fingers and palms of your hands with non-stick cooking spray.

Storing the Cookies

Allow the cookie to fully cool.

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Or freeze in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

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