Easy & Irresistible Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies: Soft, Chewy, and Simple to Bake
Get ready to bake the easiest, most delicious cookies you’ve ever made! This recipe for **quick and easy chocolate cake mix cookies** is a true game-changer. Imagine soft, wonderfully chewy cookies, boasting a delightful crispness around the edges, all made from a simple box of cake mix and a few pantry staples. Dazzle them further by dipping them in rich melted chocolate and adorning them with colorful sprinkles, transforming them into a show-stopping treat that looks and tastes like it took hours, but comes together in minutes.
These aren’t just any cookies; they offer the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Each bite delivers a firm, slightly crispy exterior that gives way to an incredibly soft, moist, and chewy interior. While they’re conveniently made with a cake mix, their rich flavor profile and delectable texture will have everyone convinced they’re entirely from scratch. If you love discovering clever shortcuts that yield impressive results, you’ll be thrilled with how effortless and rewarding this recipe is. It’s part of a growing collection of doctored cake mix recipes that prove baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be absolutely delicious.
Table of Contents
- How to Make Easy Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
- Key Ingredients for Perfect Cake Mix Cookies
- Unleash Your Creativity: Cookie Add-ins, Mix-ins & Toppings
- Delicious Variations to Try
- Expert Tips and Techniques for Chocolate Cookies With Cake Mix
- Storage Solutions for Your Cake Mix Cookies
- More Cake Mix Cookie Recipes to Explore
How to Make Easy Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies?
Making these delightful chocolate cake mix cookies is incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few simple steps. The magic begins with a good quality cake mix and a minimal amount of additional ingredients, ensuring a fuss-free baking experience from start to finish. Follow these clear instructions to achieve perfect, tender cookies every time:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix together the chocolate cake mix, large eggs, mild-flavored oil, and a hint of vanilla extract. Ensure all ingredients are well incorporated until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: This crucial step helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and makes the dough much easier to handle. Place the mixed dough in the refrigerator for at least 20-30 minutes.
- Scoop and Form: Once chilled, use a cookie scoop or your hands to scoop out small, uniform portions of the dough. Roll each portion into a neat little ball. Consistency in size ensures even baking.
- Arrange on Tray: Place the dough balls onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Leave enough space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the tray to a preheated oven and bake until the edges of the cookies are firm to the touch, while the centers remain slightly soft and chewy. Be careful not to overbake to maintain that desired soft texture.
- Dip in Melted Chocolate: Once the cookies have cooled completely (this is important for the chocolate to adhere properly), dip half of each cookie into a bowl of smooth, melted chocolate.
- Add Sprinkles: Immediately after dipping, sprinkle your favorite colorful or festive sprinkles over the chocolate-coated half. This adds both visual appeal and a fun texture. Let the chocolate set before serving.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Cake Mix Cookies
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, relying on just a handful of staple ingredients to create bakery-worthy cookies. Understanding the role of each component will help you achieve the best results.
Cake Mix: The star of the show! While almost any flavor can be adapted, a 15.25 oz. box of Devil’s food cake mix is specifically recommended for this rich chocolate cookie recipe. It provides the perfect balance of flavor and structure, eliminating the need for multiple dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and cocoa powder. This convenient base is what makes these cookies so quick and easy.
Oil: A mild-flavored oil such as canola, sunflower, or corn oil is essential. Unlike butter, which can make cookies dense, oil contributes to a lighter, softer, and chewier texture. It also adds moisture, ensuring your cookies stay tender for longer. Avoid strong-flavored oils that might overpower the chocolate.
Eggs: Large eggs are crucial for binding the ingredients together, providing structure, and adding richness to the dough. Using eggs at room temperature is preferable as they emulsify more easily with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother, more uniform dough and ultimately, a better-textured cookie.
Unleash Your Creativity: Cookie Add-ins, Mix-ins & Toppings
One of the best things about these chocolate cake mix cookies is how easily they can be customized! Here are some fantastic ideas to elevate your cookie game, whether you’re looking for extra crunch, a burst of flavor, or a festive touch:
Reese’s Pieces: For a delightful peanut butter and chocolate explosion, stir in ½ to ¾ cup of Reese’s Pieces into the cookie batter before baking. The colorful candies add a fun pop and irresistible flavor.
M&Ms: Swap out chocolate chips for ½ to ¾ cup of mini or regular M&Ms. They provide a colorful, candy-coated crunch that kids and adults alike will love, melting slightly during baking for a soft center.
Rolos: For a gooey caramel-filled treat, scoop a small portion of dough, place a Rolo in the center, and wrap the dough completely around the candy, sealing it into a ball before baking. The Rolo will melt into a luscious caramel surprise.
Andes Mints: Chop about ½ cup of Andes mints and fold them into the batter. As the cookies bake, the mints will melt, infusing the chocolate cookie with a refreshing and complementary minty flavor.
Candy Canes: After baking and cooling your cookies, dip them in melted white chocolate and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes. This creates a festive and crunchy topping, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Powdered Sugar or Granulated Sugar: For a classic “crinkle” cookie effect, roll the cookie dough balls generously in powdered sugar or granulated sugar prior to baking. As they bake and spread, the sugar coating will crackle, creating a beautiful contrast.
Chocolate Chips: A timeless addition! Use regular-sized or mini chips. Experiment with different types like semisweet, dark, milk, white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch flavored chips to match your craving.
Oats: To enhance the chewiness and add a wholesome touch, mix in about ⅓ cup of quick oats into your cookie dough. They absorb moisture and give the cookies a hearty texture.
Shredded Coconut: For an exotic twist and an even chewier texture, sweetened shredded coconut works wonderfully. About ½ cup folded into the dough can transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise.
Nuts: Add a pleasant crunch and earthy flavor by mixing in ½ cup of roughly chopped nuts. Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, or pecans are all excellent choices that complement chocolate beautifully.
Candy Bars: Get creative with your favorite candy bars! Chop up to 1 cup of varieties like Mars bars, Twix, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Snickers, or Almond Joy, and fold them into the dough for a unique, indulgent treat.
Marshmallows: For a s’mores-inspired cookie, gently push a few mini marshmallows into the top of each cookie immediately after taking them out of the oven. The residual heat will soften and slightly melt the marshmallows, creating a gooey topping.
Delicious Variations to Try
Beyond simple add-ins, these cake mix cookies are incredibly versatile and can be adapted into entirely new flavor profiles and formats. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make them your own!
Substitute Chocolate Chips: Broaden your flavor horizons by swapping out traditional chocolate chips for other delicious options. Butterscotch chips add a rich, caramel-like note, white chocolate chips provide a creamy sweetness, and mint chips can enhance the chocolate flavor with a cool, refreshing zing.
Filled Cookies/Cookie Sandwiches: Take your cookies to the next level by turning them into decadent sandwiches. Bake the cookies according to the main instructions. Once they’ve cooled, spread a generous layer of your favorite filling between two cookies. Our Best Cream Cheese Frosting works beautifully, or opt for classic peanut butter, creamy Nutella, or any other nut butter for a quick and satisfying filling.
Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies: For a unique fall-inspired treat with an incredibly fudgy, almost brownie-like texture, simply mix one box of cake mix powder with one 15 oz can of pumpkin puree. Omit all other ingredients from the original recipe. These super moist cookies are a delightful seasonal twist.
Try Other Extracts: Vanilla extract is a classic, but don’t limit yourself! Experiment with different flavor extracts to create distinct cookie experiences. Peppermint extract for a holiday touch, coconut extract for a tropical twist, maple for warmth, or almond for a sophisticated nutty flavor can all transform your cookies.
Use Another Cake Mix Flavor: The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability to different cake mix flavors. Keep the other core ingredients (eggs, oil, baking powder, vanilla) the same, but swap the chocolate cake mix for a yellow cake mix for classic butter cookies, a strawberry cake mix for fruity delights, or a lemon cake mix for bright and tangy treats. Each flavor offers a unique canvas for customization.
Make Large Cookies: Sometimes, bigger is better! Instead of making 24 standard-sized cookies, divide the dough to create 12 jumbo cookies. The only adjustment needed is an increase in baking time, typically an additional 3-5 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are just done. These larger cookies are perfect for a more substantial dessert or sharing.
Expert Tips and Techniques for Chocolate Cookies With Cake Mix
Achieving the perfect soft and chewy cake mix cookie is easy when you follow a few simple best practices. These tips will ensure your cookies are consistently delicious and turn out just right every time.
Chill the Dough: This step is non-negotiable for success! Chilling the cookie dough for 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator solidifies the fats, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain a good shape and thickness. It also makes the dough much easier to handle and scoop.
Use Baking Powder, Not Baking Soda: Baking powder is a leavening agent that reacts with moisture and heat to create a light, airy texture. Do not substitute it with baking soda, as they react differently and will yield varying results in terms of cookie rise and spread.
Don’t Replace Oil with Butter: While butter is often a baking staple, for these particular cake mix cookies, oil is preferred. Butter tends to create a denser, firmer cookie. Oil, on the other hand, contributes to a lighter, softer, and chewier crumb, which is the desired texture for this recipe.
Line Your Tray: Always line your cookie tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This crucial step prevents the cookies from sticking to the pan, ensures even baking, and makes for incredibly easy cleanup. No more scraping stubborn cookies!
Allow Cookies to Cool Completely: Patience is key, especially if you plan to dip your cookies in melted chocolate. Allowing them to cool fully ensures they firm up and hold their shape, making them less likely to break or crumble when handled. It also allows the melted chocolate to adhere smoothly and set properly.
Why are my cookies hard? Over-baking is the most common culprit. Baking cookies for too long or at too high a temperature will dry them out and make them hard. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking, looking for firm edges and a slightly soft center.
Why did my cookies spread too much? If your cookies spread into thin, flat discs, it’s likely due to not chilling the dough. Warm dough has softer fats, causing it to melt and spread rapidly in the oven. Using too much oil or not enough dry ingredients can also contribute to excessive spreading. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate as well.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the ingredients are just combined and no dry streaks remain, stop mixing. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the cake mix, leading to tougher, less tender cookies. A light hand will result in a softer, more desirable texture.
Use a Cookie Scoop for Uniformity: For consistently sized and baked cookies, use a cookie scoop. This ensures that each cookie bakes at the same rate and looks appealingly uniform on your tray.
Storage Solutions for Your Cake Mix Cookies
Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious cake mix cookies fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible. Here’s how to store both baked cookies and unbaked dough:
Room Temperature: Baked cookies will remain delightfully fresh in an airtight container or a cookie jar for up to 3 days. To maintain their soft texture, you can even place a slice of bread in the container; the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread.
Fridge: If you need to extend their freshness a bit longer, store any leftover cookies in a sealed container in the refrigerator for about 5 days. Chilling might make them a bit firmer, but they’ll soften up quickly at room temperature or with a quick zap in the microwave.
Freezer: The freezer is your best friend for long-term storage! You have two excellent options:
- Uncooked Dough: Roll cookie dough balls as usual, then place them on a parchment-lined tray and flash freeze for an hour until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a sealed freezer bag or airtight container. They will keep for up to 1 month. When you’re ready for fresh-baked cookies, simply bake them from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
- Baked Cookies: Once your baked cookies have cooled completely, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a sealed freezer bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature or gently warm them in the oven for a “freshly baked” experience.
More Cake Mix Cookie Recipes to Explore
If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these chocolate cake mix cookies, you’ll be thrilled to discover the endless possibilities that cake mix offers for easy baking. Here are more fantastic cake mix cookie recipes to add to your repertoire:
- Cotton Candy Cookies (With Cake Mix)
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (With Cake Mix)
- Easy Reese’s Cookies (With Cake Mix)
- Gooey Butter Cookies (With Cake Mix)
- White Chocolate Chip Cookies (With Cake Mix)
- S’mores Cookies (With Cake Mix)
Recipe: Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
Abeer Rizvi
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Ingredients
- 1 box Chocolate cake mix I used Pillsbury devil’s food cake mix
- 2 Eggs Large
- ⅓ cup Olive oil Light
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- ⅓ cups Sprinkles
- 1 cup Chocolate chips Semisweet, Melted
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and baking powder. Mix until all ingredients are just incorporated and a smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
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Cover the bowl and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This step is essential for preventing excessive spreading during baking.
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Once chilled, scoop out small, even portions of the dough using a cookie scoop or your hands. Roll each portion into a smooth, uniform ball.
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Place the dough balls onto a cookie tray that has been lined with parchment paper, ensuring there is enough space between each cookie for slight expansion.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set and firm to the touch, but the centers still look slightly soft. Avoid overbaking.
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Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before attempting to dip them. Once cool, carefully dip half of each cookie into a bowl of melted semisweet chocolate chips.
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While the chocolate is still wet, generously toss some sprinkles over the chocolate-coated portion. Let the chocolate set completely on a wax paper-lined tray before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade cake mix cookies!
Notes
- For the best results, make sure to read all the detailed tips and techniques provided in the article above.
- Store your baked cookies in a sealed airtight container or a cookie jar at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.