The holidays are all about cozy moments and sweet treats, and these festive red & green crinkle cookies are just the perfect addition to your seasonal baking lineup. Using a simple cake mix as the base, you can whip up these colorful, soft, and chewy cookies without much fuss.
If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive dessert to share with family and friends, this cake mix cookies recipe will become your go-to. The bright red and green doughs create beautiful crinkles dusted with powdered sugar, bringing holiday cheer right from your oven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super quick and easy to prepare using pantry staples.
- Vibrant red and green colors make them perfect for festive occasions.
- Soft, chewy texture with a delightful crinkle sugar coating.
- Minimal ingredients with a delicious homemade feel.
- Great for gifting or holiday parties.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to make about 24 festive crinkle cookies. The cake mix base makes it easy to customize the colors and flavors.
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix (regular or sugar-free)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and green gel food coloring, about 10 drops each
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for coating
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 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.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Add about 10 drops of red gel food coloring to one bowl and green gel food coloring to the other. Stir each until the color is evenly distributed.
- Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop about a tablespoon of dough from one color, roll into a ball, and coat thoroughly in powdered sugar. Repeat with the other color.
- Arrange the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the cookies have puffed up and the surface is cracked but still soft to the touch.
- Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container once fully cooled. Enjoy your festive cake mix cookies!
Tips for the Best Results
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant reds and greens without thinning the batter.
- Don’t overbake; cookies should be soft and chewy inside even when cooled.
- Coating dough balls well in powdered sugar creates that signature crinkle effect.
- Work quickly when rolling dough balls so the batter doesn’t become too sticky.
- Make sure your eggs and oil are at room temperature for even mixing.
Storage and Reheating
Store your festive red & green crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to 10 days if you want them to last longer.
If you freeze the cookies, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to refresh their soft texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes! Vanilla or white cake mix works best for bright colors, but you can experiment with funfetti or almond flavors for a unique twist.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Too much oil or warm dough can cause spreading. Measure ingredients carefully and chill the dough slightly if it feels too soft before baking.
Can I make these cookies without food coloring?
Absolutely. They will still taste delicious but won’t have the festive red and green colors that make them special for the holidays.
How do I make the cookies more chewy?
To increase chewiness, try adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to the batter or slightly underbaking the cookies by a minute or two.
