The holiday season calls for colorful, easy-to-make treats that bring joy and warmth to any gathering. These festive red & green crinkle cookies are the perfect solution when you want a quick yet impressive dessert. Using cake mix as the base, these cake mix cookies deliver a soft, chewy texture with a cheerful burst of holiday colors, making baking fun and stress-free.
If you love vibrant and simple desserts, this recipe for festive red & green crinkle cookies is exactly what you need. The bright red and green doughs coated in powdered sugar create a beautiful crinkle effect as they bake, adding charm to your holiday cookie platter. You’ll love how effortlessly these cookies come together, perfect for baking with family or last-minute celebrations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy and quick using cake mix as a base.
- Festive red and green colors brighten up your cookie tray.
- Soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Minimal ingredients with pantry staples.
- Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients before starting your festive red & green crinkle cookies. The cake mix base helps keep this recipe hassle-free, while the additional ingredients add moisture and flavor.
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white or vanilla cake mix
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
- Red gel food coloring, about 20 drops
- Green gel food coloring, about 20 drops
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: Approximately 130 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 bowl, mix the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth and combined.
- Divide the dough evenly into two separate bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl and green gel food coloring to the other, mixing each until you achieve vibrant, even colors.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough from each color and roll into balls. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar to coat completely.
- Place the red and green dough balls alternately on the baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies have spread and the tops show signature crinkles with visible powdered sugar cracks.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat with remaining dough until all cookies are baked.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without changing dough consistency.
- Don’t skip the powdered sugar coating; it creates the classic crinkle look.
- Chill the dough for 15 minutes if it feels too sticky to handle.
- Space cookies well on the baking sheet to prevent sticking as they spread.
- For a festive twist, add a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint extract to the dough.
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 fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks or freeze in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen cookies at room temperature and warm briefly in a 300°F oven for about 3-5 minutes to refresh their soft texture and aroma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! Vanilla or white cake mix works best for vibrant colors, but you can experiment with almond or lemon cake mix to add unique flavors.
How do I prevent the colors from bleeding into each other?
Keep the dough balls separate on the baking sheet and avoid touching them together. Also, rolling them well in powdered sugar helps maintain the distinct colors.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free white cake mix, and ensure all other ingredients you use are gluten-free to keep this recipe safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
What’s the best way to store these cookies to keep them soft?
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread inside to maintain softness. Avoid refrigeration unless you plan to freeze them.
