Festive Cake Mix Cookies
These Festive Cake Mix Cookies are the perfect treat for the holiday season! Quick and easy to prepare, these delightful cookies require minimal effort and yield a soft, chewy texture that will impress your family and friends. For a fun twist, chill the dough before baking to enhance the flavors and make the dough easier to handle. Experiment with different cake mixes such as lemon or chocolate for variation! For an extra zing, consider a delicious lemon glaze made from frozen lemon concentrate and powdered sugar. These cookies are versatile—mix in dried cranberries or nuts to add texture and flavor, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for a touch of holiday magic. Enjoy baking and savoring these delightful seasonal treats!
36-48 cookies
Servings
50
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
cake mix
1 (18-ounce package (chocolate, cherry, spice, banana, lemon, or flavor of your choice))
large eggs
2 (beaten)
shortening
1/2 (cup)
water
1 (tablespoon)
dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 (cup)
powdered sugar
optional for rolling (for coating)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, shortening, and water. Stir until all ingredients are well-blended and a dough forms.
3
Fold in dried cranberries (or raisins) and any additional mix-ins such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
4
If the dough feels too sticky, consider chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes for easier handling.
5
Using your hands, shape the dough into 1-inch balls. If desired, roll the balls in powdered sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
6
Arrange the cookie dough balls on the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8
For a lemon glaze option, mix powdered sugar with room temperature frozen lemon concentrate, and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Nutrition Information
2.5g
Fat
7.5g
Carbs
0.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Cake Mix Cookies?
They are quick and easy holiday treats with a soft, chewy texture made using a cake mix base and simple ingredients.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 36 to 48 cookies.
What kind of cake mix can I use?
You can use an 18-ounce package of chocolate, cherry, spice, banana, lemon, or any flavor of your choice.
How many eggs are required for the dough?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs, which should be beaten.
What amount of shortening is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of shortening for this recipe.
Is water used in the Festive Cake Mix Cookies?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of water to be mixed into the dough.
What mix-ins are recommended for texture?
Suggested mix-ins include 1/2 cup of dried cranberries or raisins, and optional items like chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
Can I use raisins instead of dried cranberries?
Yes, raisins are a suitable substitute for dried cranberries in this cookie recipe.
How should I prepare the baking sheet?
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
What size should the dough balls be?
Shape the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands.
Should I chill the cookie dough?
If the dough is too sticky to handle, chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes is recommended.
What can I roll the dough balls in before baking?
You can roll the dough balls in powdered sugar for an extra sweet coating.
How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when the edges become lightly golden.
How long should cookies cool on the baking sheet?
Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Is there a way to add a lemon flavor boost?
Yes, you can drizzle a lemon glaze made from frozen lemon concentrate and powdered sugar over the cooled cookies.
How do I make the optional lemon glaze?
Mix powdered sugar with room temperature frozen lemon concentrate until smooth, then drizzle it over the cookies.
Can I use a chocolate cake mix for this recipe?
Yes, chocolate cake mix is a suggested variation that works well with this recipe.
Can I add nuts for extra texture?
Yes, folding in chopped nuts is a great way to add additional texture and flavor.
How many calories are in one cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 50 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
Each cookie contains about 2.5g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count per cookie?
There are approximately 7.5g of carbohydrates per cookie.
How much protein is in a single cookie?
There is approximately 0.5g of protein in each cookie.
How should the eggs be prepared before mixing?
The 2 large eggs should be beaten before they are added to the large mixing bowl.
What size cake mix package is needed?
The recipe is designed for a standard 18-ounce package of cake mix.
How much space should be between cookies on the pan?
Arrange the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Can I use spice cake mix for a holiday flavor?
Yes, spice cake mix is an excellent option for creating a festive holiday flavor profile.
Can I sprinkle the cookies with cinnamon sugar?
Yes, sprinkling them with cinnamon sugar is suggested for a touch of holiday magic.
Is this recipe considered a 'drop cookie' type?
Yes, it is categorized as a drop cookie and an easy holiday baking recipe.