Cake Mix Sugar Cookies

What if I told you that you could whip up soft, sweet, buttery sugar cookies with just a handful of ingredients and almost zero effort? Sounds like a dream, right? Well, meet cake mix sugar cookies—the shortcut to homemade cookie bliss!

These cookies are perfect for when you want fresh, homemade treats but don’t have the time (or patience) to measure out flour, sugar, and baking powder. With the help of a cake mix, all the dry ingredients are already handled for you.

All you need is a little mixing, scooping, and baking. The result? Soft, chewy, bakery-style sugar cookies with minimal effort.

These cookies are great for birthday parties, last-minute bake sales, holiday cookie platters, or just because you need a little sugar fix on a Tuesday afternoon. They’re perfect for kids, beginner bakers, or anyone who wants a foolproof, quick dessert.

No fancy equipment, no stress—just delicious cookies in under 30 minutes!

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A Sweet Shortcut: The History of Cake Mix Cookies

While sugar cookies themselves have been around for centuries, cake mix cookies are a more modern invention—one born out of convenience and a little kitchen creativity.

Boxed cake mixes first hit grocery store shelves in the 1930s, but they didn’t gain real popularity until after World War II when companies like Pillsbury and Betty Crocker turned them into a household staple.

At some point, an enterprising home baker must have looked at a cake mix and thought, “What if I don’t add all the liquid and just turn this into cookies instead?”

And just like that, cake mix cookies were born! Since then, people have been using cake mixes to create everything from brownies to muffins to these incredibly easy sugar cookies.

Fun fact: Some of the first sugar cookies date back to the 1700s in Pennsylvania, where German settlers created a simple, buttery treat that eventually became the classic sugar cookie we know today.

The cake mix version is just a modern twist on an old favorite!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s your short and sweet ingredient list:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) of white or yellow cake mix
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt (optional, but enhances the flavor)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling the cookies)

Breaking Down the Ingredients:

• Cake Mix: The magic ingredient! It already contains flour, sugar, leavening agents, and flavoring, making this recipe ridiculously easy. A white or yellow cake mix works best for that classic sugar cookie flavor.
• Butter: Melted butter gives these cookies a rich, buttery flavor and a soft texture. If you prefer a slightly firmer cookie, you can use softened butter instead.
• Eggs: They provide structure and moisture, giving the cookies a chewy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop. If your cake mix already contains salt, you can skip this.
• Granulated Sugar: Rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking gives the cookies a crisp, sparkly exterior and adds a little crunch to the soft interior.

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Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Cake Mix Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. No parchment paper? A light greasing with butter or cooking spray works too.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until you have a thick, smooth dough. It may feel a bit softer than traditional cookie dough—this is normal!

💡 Pro Tip: If the dough is too sticky to work with, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before shaping the cookies. Chilled dough is easier to handle and helps prevent excessive spreading.

Step 3: Roll the Cookies

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then, roll each dough ball in the granulated sugar to coat the outside. This step gives the cookies a sweet, slightly crunchy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft.

Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet—they will spread slightly as they bake.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked—that’s okay! They will firm up as they cool.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want extra-soft cookies, take them out when they just barely look done. Letting them finish baking on the hot tray outside the oven keeps them from overcooking.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up while keeping the centers nice and soft.

Now, all that’s left to do is pour yourself a glass of milk and enjoy these ridiculously easy (and delicious) cake mix sugar cookies!

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Customizations & Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is how customizable it is! Here are some fun twists:

• Add Sprinkles: Fold in ½ cup of rainbow sprinkles for a funfetti vibe.
• Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Instead of rolling in plain sugar, mix ¼ cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon for a snickerdoodle twist.
• Citrus Twist: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for a fresh, tangy kick.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some white or dark chocolate and drizzle over the cooled cookies for an elegant touch.

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Storage & Freezing Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 week.
• Freezing the Dough: Roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just pop them in the oven (add an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time).
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months.

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Cake Mix Sugar Cookies Recipe

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