Let me introduce you to a recipe that’s as fun as it is foolproof: Yellow Cake Mix Cookies. In just minutes, you’ll transform a humble box of cake mix into warm, golden cookies that are as soft and chewy as a bakery treat. These cookies are beloved for their buttery flavor, pillowy centers, and insane versatility—think endless options for add-ins and decorating. Whether you’re baking with kids, surprising the office, or making a late-night treat for yourself (I promise, I won’t tell), these cookies are the kinds of sweets you’ll return to again and again.

Yellow Cake Mix Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Yellow Cake Mix Cookies is in their simplicity but don’t let the short ingredients list fool you—a few key players work in harmony for a rich taste and stunning cookie. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:

Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): The star of the recipe, providing rich vanilla flavor, a tender crumb, and that iconic golden color in every bite.
Vegetable oil or melted butter (½ cup): Adds moisture and richness; use butter for a hint of extra flavor and oil for a super soft texture.
Large eggs (2): Essential for binding the dough together and giving these cookies their soft, cakey interior.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings the classic aroma and a touch of warmth, making the cookies taste homemade.
Mix-ins (½ cup, optional): Chocolate chips, sprinkles, chopped nuts, or white chocolate chips let you customize the cookies to suit any occasion or craving.

How to Make Yellow Cake Mix Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking (and to make cleanup an absolute breeze). Getting your pan ready now means you can pop the cookies into the oven as soon as your dough is mixed—no waiting required!

Step 2: Mix Up the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, your choice of vegetable oil or melted butter, the eggs, and the vanilla extract. Stir everything together with a sturdy spoon or spatula until you get a thick, soft dough. It’ll smell incredible right away. If you’re adding any mix-ins—say, a handful of chocolate chips or pretty sprinkles—gently fold them in now.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each scoop into a ball (if you like) and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. The cookies will spread a little as they bake, so give them some space to work their magic.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 9–11 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges look set and just beginning to turn golden, but the centers are still soft. They’ll finish setting as they cool, keeping that irresistible chewy texture.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes. This lets them firm up a bit and makes them much easier to transfer. Move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely—or sneak one warm if you just can’t wait. With Yellow Cake Mix Cookies, a stolen taste is basically mandatory, right?

How to Serve Yellow Cake Mix Cookies

Garnishes

Once your cookies are cool, you can make them extra festive with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a few extra sprinkles pressed on top while still warm. These simple touches go a long way—they turn ordinary Yellow Cake Mix Cookies into celebration-ready treats in seconds.

Side Dishes

As cookies go, these beauties are perfectly delicious on their own. For a classic combo, serve them with a tall glass of cold milk or hot coffee. For dessert platters, pair them with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Their soft texture and vanilla flavor make them a lovely addition alongside fruit salad or chocolate-dipped strawberries, especially for parties or potlucks.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to make your Yellow Cake Mix Cookies really stand out, try stacking them in a clear jar tied with ribbon for a homemade gift, or sandwich two cookies together with a swirl of buttercream for a cookie whoopie pie. You can even use themed sprinkles to match any holiday—or dye the dough with food coloring for birthdays and school events. The possibilities are honestly endless, and every version tastes like a homemade hug.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled Yellow Cake Mix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days—if you even have any left after day one. To keep them extra chewy, tuck a slice of bread into the container; it’ll help maintain the moisture so your cookies taste bakery-fresh all week.

Freezing

Both the cookie dough and the baked cookies freeze beautifully. To freeze the dough, form it into balls and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag and bake off straight from the freezer, just adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months—just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you want that just-baked warmth, pop Yellow Cake Mix Cookies in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. The centers get wonderfully soft and gooey, just like fresh from the oven. For a big batch, warm them in a low oven (about 275°F) for a few minutes. No matter how you reheat, the flavor holds up beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix instead of yellow?

Absolutely! While yellow cake mix gives that classic flavor and golden hue, you can swap in chocolate, red velvet, or even lemon cake mix for a fun twist. Just keep the rest of the recipe the same and enjoy a whole new cookie each time.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Great news—you don’t have to chill the dough for these Yellow Cake Mix Cookies. The dough is thick enough to scoop and bake right away, which means you go from craving to cookies in record time. If you like a slightly puffier cookie, a 20-minute chill in the fridge does the trick.

How can I make my cookies more festive?

For special occasions, stir seasonal sprinkles, crushed candy, or colored chocolate into the dough. You can also drizzle the baked cookies with colored icing or dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed nuts or candies before serving.

What’s the best way to make the cookies extra chewy?

For super chewy Yellow Cake Mix Cookies, opt for melted butter and be careful not to overbake. Take the cookies out when the edges look just set, even if the centers appear a bit soft—they’ll finish setting as they cool. A slice of bread in the storage container helps keep them moist, too!

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! You can safely double (or even triple) the ingredients to make a big batch for parties or events. Just be sure to bake in batches, keeping any extra dough in the fridge until you’re ready to use it so the cookies bake up evenly.

Final Thoughts

Once you try these Yellow Cake Mix Cookies, you’ll see why they’re a total crowd-pleaser and a baker’s best-kept secret. With just a box of cake mix and a handful of pantry staples, you’re minutes away from a fresh batch of cookies that promise smiles all around. So grab your favorite mix-ins, preheat the oven, and treat yourself—these cookies are just too easy and delicious not to bake again and again!

Yellow Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious and easy-to-make Yellow Cake Mix Cookies that are perfect for any occasion. These soft and chewy cookies are made with just a few simple ingredients and can be customized with your favorite mix-ins.

Ingredients

Scale

Yellow Cake Mix Cookies:

1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup mix-ins such as chocolate chips, sprinkles, chopped nuts, or white chocolate chips (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, oil or melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until a soft dough forms. Fold in mix-ins if desired.
Bake the Cookies: Scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are set and centers are slightly soft.
Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Experiment with different mix-ins such as butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or crushed candy pieces.
For a festive touch, use seasonal sprinkles or food coloring in the dough.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American