Easy Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: Soft, Chewy & Perfect for Any Occasion

Indulge in the vibrant delight of these incredibly easy Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies! Crafted from a simple 5-ingredient recipe, these homemade treats are wonderfully soft, delightfully chewy, and generously studded with creamy white chocolate chips. They offer all the beloved flavor of classic red velvet in a fraction of the time, making them an instant favorite for bakers of all skill levels.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, pampering Mom on Mother’s Day, or adding a festive touch to your Christmas cookie platter, these cookies are a showstopper. Their rich red hue and irresistible texture echo the charm of our popular Red Velvet Cupcakes, Red Velvet Truffles, this Moist Red Velvet Cake, and even our Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies. While you could certainly bake red velvet cookies from scratch, this doctored cake mix recipe simplifies the process dramatically, delivering a taste that’s just as good, if not better, with minimal effort and mess.

Why You’ll Love These Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a revelation in simplicity and flavor. Here’s why they’ll become a staple in your baking repertoire:

• Effortlessly Easy: Starting with a cake mix dramatically cuts down on prep time and the number of ingredients needed, making them perfect for last-minute baking or when you’re short on time.
• Incredibly Soft & Chewy: The cake mix base, combined with the right amount of oil and eggs, creates a cookie with an ideal soft interior and a delightful chewiness that you’ll crave.
• Vibrantly Red: The signature deep red color of these cookies makes them visually stunning and perfect for themed parties or holiday gatherings.
• White Chocolate Perfection: The sweetness and creaminess of white chocolate chips perfectly complement the subtle cocoa notes of the red velvet flavor, creating a balanced and addictive bite.
• Customizable: As you’ll see in the variations section, these cookies are a fantastic canvas for your creativity, allowing you to easily adapt them to your taste or occasion.
• Crowd-Pleaser: From kids to adults, everyone loves a good red velvet cookie, especially when it’s this soft and flavorful!

How to Make Easy Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Creating these delightful red velvet cookies is straightforward. The key steps are simple, ensuring a successful bake every time. For detailed measurements and oven temperatures, please refer to the recipe card below.

1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and oil until they are light and fluffy. This step helps to aerate the mixture, contributing to the cookies’ soft texture.
2. Add Cake Mix: Gradually incorporate the red velvet cake mix into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
3. Stir in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips (or your preferred mix-ins). Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. Chill Dough: This is a crucial step! Place the dough in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20-30 minutes. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and makes the dough much easier to handle.
5. Form Balls: Scoop out portions of the chilled dough and roll them into small, uniform balls.
6. Optional Sugar Roll: For an extra special touch and a slight crunch, roll the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before placing them on the baking sheet.
7. Bake: Arrange the cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake according to the recipe instructions. The cookies are ready when their edges are firm but their centers remain slightly soft and chewy.
8. Enjoy: Let them cool slightly on the tray before transferring to a wire rack. Then, dig in!

Irresistible Variations for Red Velvet Cookies

While classic white chocolate chip red velvet cookies are perfect as is, they also lend themselves beautifully to customization. Here are some ideas to get your creativity flowing:

• Chocolate Chip Swaps:
  • Semisweet Chocolate Chips: For a deeper chocolate flavor that contrasts wonderfully with the red velvet, stir in semisweet chocolate chips.
  • Dark Chocolate Chunks: Add a touch of sophistication and intense chocolate flavor with chopped dark chocolate.
  • Milk Chocolate Chips: For a sweeter, creamier chocolate experience, milk chocolate chips are a great choice.
• Nutty Additions: For added crunch and flavor, fold in about ½ cup of chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or peanuts. Toasting the nuts lightly beforehand can enhance their flavor even more.
• Mini Marshmallow Magic: Stir in mini marshmallows during the last minute of mixing for delightful pockets of gooey sweetness and an interesting texture.
• Chocolate Dipped Elegance: Once the cookies have cooled completely, dip them halfway into melted white, milk, or dark chocolate. For extra flair, sprinkle with red sprinkles (especially for Valentine’s Day) or festive nonpareils.
• Fancy Drizzles: Instead of a full dip, simply drizzle melted white chocolate, cream cheese glaze, or even a contrasting chocolate over the cooled cookies for a gourmet look.
• Christmas Wonderland Cookies: Transform these into holiday favorites by dipping cooled cookies in melted white chocolate and then sprinkling them with crushed candy canes. They’re perfect for Christmas parties and cookie exchanges.
• Explore Other Cake Mix Flavors: Don’t limit yourself to red velvet! This versatile recipe can be adapted using any other flavor of cake mix – imagine chocolate, lemon, strawberry, or even spice cake mix cookies.
• Stuffed Cookie Surprise: Make these cookies extra special by stuffing each one with a Rolo candy, a soft caramel chew, or a chocolate Kiss before baking. This will yield larger, more indulgent cookies (approximately 10-12 large cookies per batch).
• Alternative Coatings: Beyond granulated sugar, consider rolling your cookie dough balls in powdered sugar for a “snowball” effect, or in colorful sprinkles for a fun, celebratory look.
• Cookie Sandwiches: Create decadent cookie sandwiches by filling cooled cookies with luscious American Buttercream Frosting or rich Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Flavor Boosters: Enhance the taste profile by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract, almond extract, or even a touch of peppermint extract for a festive twist.
• Coffee Infusion: For a subtle coffee flavor that beautifully complements chocolate, add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the dry cake mix before combining.

Tips and Techniques for Perfect Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

Achieving perfectly soft, chewy, and beautiful red velvet cookies is simple with a few expert tips:

• Crucial Chilling: You absolutely must chill the dough. This is perhaps the most important step for cake mix cookies. Without chilling for at least 20-30 minutes, the dough will be too sticky to handle, and your cookies will spread excessively during baking, resulting in thin, flat, and potentially greasy cookies.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix the dough until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies. A gentle hand is key to maintaining a tender crumb.
• Cake Mix Brand Doesn’t Matter: Feel free to use your favorite brand of red velvet cake mix. This recipe has been successfully tested with Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, and Duncan Hines, yielding excellent results with all three.
• Stick with Oil: Do not replace the oil with butter. While butter is often preferred in traditional cookie recipes, in this specific cake mix recipe, butter can make the cookies overly dense and alter the desired soft and chewy texture. Oil contributes to the moistness and tenderness.
• Rolling in Sugar (Recommended): While optional, rolling the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before baking creates a fantastic crunchy exterior that perfectly contrasts with the soft, chewy center. It also adds a lovely sparkle to the finished cookies.
• Adjust Cookie Size: The recipe yields approximately 20 standard-sized cookies. If you prefer smaller cookies, simply roll smaller dough balls, and you can expect to get around 24-25 cookies per batch. Adjust baking time accordingly (they’ll likely bake faster).
• Freezing Unbaked Dough: For future indulgence, freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 1 month. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls directly on a parchment-lined sheet and add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Baked cookies can also be frozen in sealed freezer bags for up to 1 month. If you rolled them in sugar, be aware that the sugar coating might become slightly sticky or dissolve a bit upon thawing. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
• Troubleshooting Hard Cookies: If your cookies turn out hard, it’s typically due to over-baking. Bake until the edges are just firm and the center looks slightly underdone; they will continue to set as they cool. Overmixing the dough can also lead to tough cookies, so mix until just combined.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking trays with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, ensures even baking, and makes for easy cleanup.
• Aesthetic Touch: For a more visually appealing cookie, immediately after removing them from the oven, gently press a few extra white chocolate chips onto the tops of the warm cookies. This creates that desirable “bakery-style” finish before they cool and set.

Serving Suggestions

These Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are delightful on their own, but here are some ways to elevate your serving experience:

• With a Glass of Milk: A timeless classic! The cool milk perfectly complements the rich flavor of the cookies.
• Coffee or Tea Pairing: Enjoy them with your morning coffee or an afternoon cup of tea for a cozy treat.
• Ice Cream Sundae Topping: Crumble a warm cookie over a scoop of vanilla bean or cream cheese ice cream for an instant dessert upgrade.
• Cookie Platter: Include these vibrant red cookies on a holiday or party dessert platter alongside other favorites.
• Gift Giving: Package them in a decorative box or tin for a thoughtful homemade gift for friends, family, or teachers.
• Milkshakes: Blend a few cookies into a vanilla or chocolate milkshake for an extra decadent and flavorful drink.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Why is chilling the dough so important?

Chilling the dough allows the fats in the oil to solidify and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flour to fully hydrate, which leads to a better texture and makes the dough much easier to handle and roll.

Can I use butter instead of oil?

It’s highly recommended to stick with oil for this specific cake mix recipe. Butter contains water, which can affect the cookie’s texture, potentially making them denser and less chewy than desired. Oil helps achieve that characteristic soft and moist crumb.

How do I make my cookies extra chewy?

To ensure maximum chewiness, make sure not to overbake them. Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are just set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to cook and set as they cool on the baking sheet.

Can I add food coloring for a more intense red?

Red velvet cake mix usually contains enough food coloring to achieve a vibrant red. However, if you want an even deeper, more intense red, you can add a few drops of red gel food coloring (not liquid, as it can alter consistency) when mixing the wet ingredients.

My cookies are too flat. What went wrong?

Flat cookies are usually a sign that the dough wasn’t chilled enough, or the oven temperature was too low. Ensure your dough is properly chilled for the recommended time. Also, make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature.

Storage of Homemade Red Velvet Cookies

Proper storage ensures your delicious Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies remain fresh and enjoyable for longer:

• Room Temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container or cookie jar at room temperature for up to 3 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help keep them soft.
• Refrigerate: For slightly longer freshness, transfer them to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
• Freeze (Baked): Once completely cooled, place baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.
• Freeze (Dough): As mentioned in the tips, you can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 1 month. This allows you to bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes!

More Doctored Cake Mix Cookie Recipes

If you love the ease and deliciousness of these cake mix cookies, you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic recipes:

• Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
• Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies (With Cake Mix)
• Cotton Candy Cookies (With Cake Mix)
• Easy Heart Cookies (With Cake Mix)
• Chocolate M&M Cookies
• Cake Mix Cookie Bars
• Chocolate Cherry Cookies/ Black Forest Cookies (With Cake Mix)

Recipe

Until Next Time, Happy Baking!

We hope you love these incredibly easy and delicious Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies as much as we do. They are truly a delightful treat for any occasion, offering that perfect balance of softness, chewiness, and rich flavor. Don’t forget to experiment with the variations to make them your own!