Discover how easy it is to turn a simple box of cake mix into delicious cookies! This quick guide will show you tips, tricks, and flavor ideas for making bakery-style cookies with just a few ingredients.
Can I Turn Cake Mix into Cookies?
Yes! Yes, you can. (And you should!)
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m all about starting with a box of cake mix. But it never stops there! I love to doctor a cake mix to make cake, scones, bars, and other heavenly desserts! That’s the beauty and versatility of a boxed cake mix.
Your favorite box of cake mix can also be transformed into soft, chewy, and downright irresistible cookies. With just a couple of pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of homemade treats in minutes.
My Cake Mix Cookie Journey
Until a few years ago I didn’t realize I could take a simple box of cake mix and use it to make cookies. But once I learned how, it became an addiction.
I went a little crazy. No, really. I couldn’t stop coming up with interesting flavor combinations.
This magnified when my step-mom sent me a ton of Dolly Parton cake mixes in interesting flavors like coconut, banana, and so on. She also sent me Duncan Hines orange cake mixes (a favorite).
So, I dove right in and made up recipes. Lots and lots of recipes. I’ll link you to those a little further down, but I can promise you this: Whether you’re craving chocolate chip, funfetti, or something seasonal like pumpkin spice, cake mix cookies are the ultimate shortcut for busy bakers.
And maybe—just being honest—that’s why I love them so much. I’m always short on time. And trust me when I say there’s almost always a cake mix or two (or twelve) in my baking pantry, so I’m good to go in a hurry!
Great Reasons to Start with a Box of Cake Mix
There are so very many reasons to start your cookies with a box of cake mix. Here are a few of my favorites;
- Short on ingredients? A cake mix will do in a pinch.
- Incredibly versatile. You can change flavors and add-ins with ease.
- So many flavor options. From red velvet to lemon to spice—flavors you might not normally bake from scratch.
- Consistency every time. Cake mixes are formulated to give reliable results, so your cookies will turn out soft and chewy with minimal effort. This is very helpful, especially when you’re in a hurry.
- Perfect for beginners. If you’re new to baking, this is a foolproof way to start.
- Fun for kids. Easy measuring and mixing makes this a great recipe to tackle with little helpers. They’re going to have so much fun whipping up delicious, fail-proof treats!
- Quick turnaround. You can go from box to baked cookies in under 20 minutes. (Win!)
- Great for last-minute events. Need cookies for a party, bake sale, or potluck? Cake mix cookies are a lifesaver. And people will think you slaved all day, I promise!
- Budget-friendly. A single box of mix plus a couple of eggs and oil = dozens of cookies for just a few dollars? Yes, please!
- Customizable. Add sprinkles, chips, nuts, candy, or frosting drizzles to make them your own. Further down in this post I’m going to give you a ton of great ideas for flavor combinations.
Have I convinced you yet? Great! Keep reading!
Why a Cake Mix Works for Cookies
Let’s start with the methodology. You might be wondering how to take a box of cake mix and convert it into a cookie. It’s simpler than you think. A box of cake mix already contains many of the same essentials you’d find in cookie dough, including the following
- Flour: Flour, of course, provides the structure you need for your baked goods, be it cake, cookies, or otherwise.
- Sugar: Cake mixes are already sweetened, and have the perfect balance of sugar to flour. This provides both sweetness and tenderness.
- Leavening agents: Here’s where things get interesting. Most cookies call for baking soda, but cake mixes have baking powder. This is one reason why cake mix cookies are usually softer and fluffier than traditional homemade cookies. Baking powder helps cakes (or in this case, cookies) rise and stay fluffy. So, you can count on your cake mix cookies having more of a lift than, say, a traditional Snickerdoodle or Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Flavoring: Of course, this depends on the flavor of cake mix you start with, but you’ll find a great variety: cocoa powder, vanilla flavor, or spices, depending on the mix. This is another reason I love working with boxed cake mixes for cookies, because the choices are so vast.
So, in essence, you’ve already got the building blocks for cookies sitting in that box!
The Conversion Process
So, how does one take a box of cake mix and convert it to a cookie? It’s really easy, actually. (even easier than baking a cake).
First, let’s talk about the main difference between cakes and cookies: Moisture
The amount of liquid is the main difference between cake and cookies.
- Cakes use more liquid (water, milk, oil, eggs) to create a pourable batter that bakes up light and airy. Here’s the science behind that:
- The water in a cake mix activates the learning agent (baking powder).
- Water (or milk) also hydrates the flour and starches. This helps the gluten develop.
- Water provides lift. The combination of hydrated flour/starch + leavening gases is what makes cake rise.
(Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk on the role of water in cake baking!)
- Cookies use less liquid, which results in less lift, less activation of gluten, and less hydrating of the flour or starches. This results in thick, scoopable dough that holds its shape when baked.
So, What’s the Magic Formula to Convert a Cake into Cookies?
Here’s a general rule of thumb: To turn any standard box of cake mix (15.25 oz) into cookies, use:
- 1 box cake mix (any flavor)
- ½ cup oil (or melted butter)
- 1-2 eggs (check the individual recipes)
- whatever mix-ins make sense to the flavor profile
That’s it! Just mix those ingredients together until you have a thick dough. From there, you can add chips, nuts, or flavorings, then scoop and bake like any cookie recipe!
Are There Certain Flavor Combinations that Work Best with Cake Mix Cookies?
Yes, there are! I’ve made so many and have actually come up with some flavor combinations that are just out of this world. I’m going to post some of the most common combinations first, so you have the basics down. (You’ll want to keep these in your arsenal!) Those include:
Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies: Everyone needs a great chocolate chip cookie recipe in their arsenal and this one hits the spot! They’re softer than from-scratch cookies, but super easy and tasty, too!
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: This recipe starts with a chocolate cake mix and you add more chocolate chips, resulting in a chocolate-lover’s treat that is so delicious!
Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies: Peanut Butter cookies are among my favorites and these are so good that I had a hard time distinguishing them from my homemade/scratch version.
Red Velvet Crinkle: These are so cute and so easy! This might be one of my favorite cake mix cookies. . .ever!
Easy Cake Mix Pecan Sandies: These are simple and delicious. You can whip them up in a hurry.
Step Out of the Box!
Before we go any further, let’s talk about some other fun flavor combinations I have tried over the past couple years that go beyond “basic.” (Hey, why just settle on a white cake mix when there are so many options Be adventurous! Step out of the box!) Here are some of my favorites (and most requested):
Dolly Parton Coconut Cookies with Lemon Glaze: I don’t mind admitting that I made up this recipe. And y’all, I’m so glad I did! I took the first batch to a party and they were devoured!
Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies: There’s something really remarkable about the combination of orange and chocolate. Yum!
Strawberry Fluffies: I saw this recipe in a viral video and knew I had to make it. I wasn’t sorry, and you won’t be, either. Perfection!
Lemon Crinkle Cookies: I made these for my son-in-law and he loved them so much that he went a little crazy on our family’s road trip, eating them all! They are so simple but loaded with flavor and texture.
Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies: I took the strawberry fluffies and the lemon crinkles and merged them into a dual-flavored cookie that I called Strawberry Lemonade. Talk about a great combination!
Holiday Cake Mix Cookies
These cookies are particularly fun during the holiday season. If you’re looking for fall flavors, Christmas favorites, or other holiday-flavored cookies, these will be perfect. Here are a few of my favorites:
Christmas Crinkle Cookies: Colorful and delicious, these start with a white cake mix but don’t stop there. They’ve got a lovely color combination and a great minty flavor.
Easy Carrot Cake Cookies: If you love a delicious carrot cake you’re going to flip over this easy cookie, which has a delicious cream cheese frosting. They’re soft and delicious.
Butter Pecan Cake Mix Cookies: I love butter pecan cake. It’s a favorite. So, as you might imagine, these cookies are a dream come true for me!
Chocolate Molasses Spice Cookies: This is a personal favorite, the perfect combination of chocolate and molasses, making it great for the fall and winter months. I'll be posting the recipe soon.
Other Fun Flavor Combos
Here are some of my very favorites!
German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies with Frosting Baked in: It took a couple of tries for me to get this one right, but trust me when I say say, they were worth the effort. (Yum!)
Easy Cocoa Crunch Cookies: Rice Krispies in a chocolate cookie? Yes, please!
Lemon Bluebery Cookies: These actually start with a muffin mix but they are light, fluffy, and deliver a punch of citrus and berry flavor. (Primo!)
Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies: These start with a muffin mix, too. I’m so glad I came up with this simple recipe.
Creamy Almond Cake Mix Cookies: Did you know that Pillsbury makes an almond cake? It’s true!
Dolly Parton Banana Bread Cookies: If you love banana bread but you’re in a hurry, these will hit the spot!
Sandwich Cookies
If you love to sandwich cookies together with buttercream (or other frostings) in-between, you’ll love these easy ideas!
Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies: These are uber delicious with cream cheese frosting in the middle!
Gingerbread Whoopie Pies: I just baked these the other day and they’re delicious! They would be great in the fall and even more fun to serve after your Thanksgiving dinner!
DIY Lemon Cakesters: The kids loved these! Add a bit of lemon juice and zest to the filling for more citrusy punch!
German Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: These are my favorite sandwich cookies and they're so simple! Stuff them with canned coconut pecan frosting for an easy filling.
Stuffed Brownie Cookies: These aren't technically sandwiched together, but they could be. Use a canned chocolate frosting between them for the full chocolate experience!
Scones
Scones are cookie like and starting with a cake mix just makes sense. These are delicious and so very simple to make! Your guests will be delighted with them!
Easy Cake Mix Scones: These are so simple, and very impressive to serve at a high tea or other fancy event. No one will know they didn’t take you hours!
Cranberry Orange Scones: A personal favorite. I love the mergence of orange and cranberry. Yum!
Strawberry Cheesecake Scones: This is a favorite flavor combination your guests will love.
Bars
You might be surprised that a lot of my bars start with a box of cake mix on bottom. I use a similar method to form a shortbread-like crust, and then add the filling and toppings. Here are a few of my cake mix cookie bars to enjoy:
Easy Almond Joy Bars: Talk about a punch of flavor and texture! These start with a chocolate cake mix but end up with that delicious almond joy flavoring you love so much!
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars: If you love red velvet, these are going to be ideal for you. They start with a box of Red Velvet Cake mix, but swirl in cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. So delicious!
Pineapple Rightside-Up Bars: If you love a good pineapple upside-down cake, you’re going to flip over these bars, which start with a yellow cake mix.
Other Cake Mix Cookie Flavor Combos & Mix-Ins to Try
Here are some fun ideas I might whip up in my own kitchen soon. (The mix-ins are so versatile!)
- Vanilla Cake Mix + M&Ms → Bright, colorful, and kid-friendly.
- Chocolate Cake Mix + Peanut Butter Chips → A cookie version of a classic peanut butter cup.
- Lemon Cake Mix + White Chocolate Chips → Sweet, tart, and perfect for spring or summer.
- Strawberry Cake Mix + White Chocolate Chips → Pretty in pink and great for Valentine’s Day or baby showers.
- Funfetti Cake Mix + Sprinkles → The ultimate party cookie—colorful and festive. I think these would be so fun sandwiched together with buttercream. You could roll the edges in sprinkles!
- Spice Cake Mix + Cinnamon Chips → Cozy, warm, and perfect for fall gatherings.
- Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix + Mint Chips → Cool and refreshing, perfect for the holidays. (Why haven’t I tried this yet? I had delicious from-scratch mint chocolate cookies and they’re divine. This combination is a personal favorite.)
Things to Love About Cake Mix Cookies
- Super Simple: With just a handful of ingredients, these cookies come together in no time—perfect for busy bakers.
- Endless Flavors: From chocolate to lemon to funfetti, you can use any flavor of cake mix to create unique cookies.
- Soft & Chewy: The texture is incredible—tender in the center with just the right amount of chew.
- Kid-Friendly: A fun and easy recipe that kids can help make (and decorate).
- Perfect for Parties: Whip up a batch for birthdays, holidays, or bake sales—they’re always a hit!
- Customizable: Add chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, or even a frosting drizzle to make them extra special.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope I’ve inspired you to try something new today. That was the point of this post, after all. If you come up with fun flavor combinations I haven’t mentioned here, let me know in the comments! And if you happen to bake up any of the ones I have suggested, let me know! I’d love to hear how they turned out.
Hey, before you go. . .
Why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?
About the Author
Janice Thompson is the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares easy, creative recipes designed to help home bakers gain confidence in the kitchen. With a passion for experimenting with boxed mixes and from-scratch bakes alike, Janice offers practical tips, fun tutorials, and tried-and-true recipes that bring joy to everyday baking. When she’s not writing or testing recipes, you’ll find her teaching, rescuing dogs, or gathering with family around the table—always with something sweet to share.