The holidays are the perfect time to bake something bright, cheerful, and delicious, and these festive red & green crinkle cookies fit the bill perfectly. Using an easy cake mix recipe, you can whip up these colorful cookies in no time and impress your family and friends with their vibrant look and soft, tender texture.
If you’re looking for a fun and fast cookie recipe that captures the spirit of the season with minimal effort, these red green crinkle cookies are exactly what you need. They’re fun to make, delightful to eat, and a stunning addition to any cookie platter.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy—uses a store-bought cake mix for a simple base.
- Bright and festive red and green colors perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Soft, chewy texture with a delicate powdered sugar crust.
- Customizable with your favorite extracts or add-ins.
- Great for gifting, parties, or an everyday festive treat.
Ingredients
Gather these straightforward ingredients to create your festive red & green crinkle cookies. The cake mix does most of the work, while simple additions bring the fun colors and perfect texture.
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, adds depth)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
- Red and green gel food coloring, enough to achieve vibrant colors
- Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chopped nuts
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: Approximately 120 per cookie
How to Make Festive Red & Green Crinkle Cookies | Easy Cake Mix Cookies!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Divide the dough evenly in half. Add red gel food coloring to one half and green gel food coloring to the other, mixing each until the color is vibrant and uniform. Add white chocolate chips or nuts now if desired.
- Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Using a tablespoon, scoop dough from one color, roll it into a ball, then roll the ball generously in powdered sugar. Repeat for all dough balls, alternating colors on the baking sheets.
- Arrange the cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets to allow for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are set but still soft in the center.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm or store in an airtight container once cooled. Enjoy your festive red green crinkle cookies!
Tips for the Best Results
- Use gel food coloring for the brightest colors without thinning the dough.
- Don’t overbake; the cookies should be slightly soft to retain chewy texture.
- Chill the dough if it feels too sticky to handle for easier rolling.
- Roll generously in powdered sugar for the signature crinkle crackled look.
- For a flavor twist, swap vanilla extract with peppermint or orange extract.
Storage and Reheating
Store your festive red green crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them soft and fresh. If you’d like to keep them longer, place the cookies in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
To enjoy again, thaw frozen cookies at room temperature and warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to revive the soft, fresh-baked feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free white cake mix. Just ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well. The texture might vary slightly but will still be delicious.
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
Gel food coloring is preferred because it provides vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency. Using liquid food coloring may make the dough too wet, so use sparingly if you must.
How do I prevent the colors from mixing?
Keep the red and green dough separate during mixing and rolling. Clean your hands or utensils between handling each color to avoid bleeding.
Can I add other mix-ins to these cookies?
Absolutely! White chocolate chips, nuts, or festive sprinkles can be folded into the dough before baking. Just avoid adding too many to maintain the soft texture.
