Easy Orange Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe)

Make easy orange crinkle cookies with cake mix, eggs, oil, and powdered sugar! Soft, chewy, citrus-flavored cookies with beautiful crackled tops.

If you love bright citrus flavors and soft, chewy cookies, you're going to love these Easy Orange Crinkle Cookies! Made with a box of orange cake mix, eggs, oil, and powdered sugar, these beautiful cookies come together with very little effort.

They have a gorgeous orange color, a crackled powdered sugar coating, and a soft, tender center. Best of all, you don't need to measure out flour, baking powder, or a long list of ingredients.

Just mix, chill, roll, and bake!

Orange Crinkle Cookies from a Cake Mix

I've been on a bit of a crinkle cookie baking adventure lately, experimenting with different cake mix flavors to see how they turn out.

And I have to say, these orange cookies are some of the prettiest of the bunch!

The bright orange dough looks beautiful beneath that snowy powdered sugar coating. As the cookies bake, the tops spread and crack, creating the signature crinkle cookie appearance.

I used a box of Duncan Hines Orange Supreme cake mix for this recipe, and it worked beautifully. No extra flour was necessary, and the cookies baked up soft and tender in just 10 minutes.

If you're looking for an easy cookie recipe for spring gatherings, summer parties, holiday cookie trays, or an afternoon treat, this is a fun one to try.

Why You'll Love These Orange Crinkle Cookies

There are so many reasons to love this easy recipe!

• Only four ingredients are needed.
• It starts with a boxed cake mix.
• No additional flour is required.
• The dough comes together in minutes.
• The cookies have a beautiful orange-and-white crackled appearance.
• They're soft and tender inside.
• They're perfect for cookie exchanges, parties, and gift boxes.

And because they're made with cake mix, there's very little measuring involved.

Ingredients for Orange Crinkle Cookies

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here's a quick look at what you'll need.

• 1 box (15.25 ounces) Duncan Hines Orange Supreme cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• Powdered sugar for rolling (about ½ cup, or as needed)

That's it!

A note about cake mix sizes: I used a 15.25-ounce box for this recipe without adding any extra flour. If you're using a smaller box, the dough may behave differently, so I recommend starting with the size I tested.

How to Make Orange Crinkle Cookies

These cookies couldn't be easier! Here's how I made them.

Step 1: Make the Dough

Place the orange cake mix in a large mixing bowl.

Add the eggs and vegetable oil.

Stir until everything is well combined and a thick, sticky orange dough forms.

The dough will be softer than traditional cookie dough. That's perfectly normal.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and place the dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

This short chilling period makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape.

Step 3: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.

Step 4: Roll the Cookies

Scoop portions of the chilled dough and roll them into balls.

Drop each ball into the powdered sugar, turning until generously coated.

Don't be shy with the powdered sugar! That thick white coating helps create the beautiful crinkle effect.

Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving room for spreading.

Step 5: Bake

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes.

As the cookies bake, they will spread and develop beautiful cracks across their powdered sugar coating.

The centers should still be soft when you remove them from the oven.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, they're ready to enjoy!

What Makes These Orange Crinkle Cookies Special?

The first thing you'll notice is the color.

That vibrant orange dough peeking through the snowy powdered sugar makes these cookies especially eye-catching.

But there's more to love than their appearance!

When I broke one open, the inside was soft and tender, with a lovely orange color all the way through.

They're the kind of cookies that look like they took a lot more effort than they actually did.

And that's always a win in my kitchen!

Tips for Perfect Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

Chill the dough. Even 20 minutes makes a difference when you're working with sticky cake mix cookie dough.

Use plenty of powdered sugar. A generous coating gives you those beautiful white patches and orange cracks.

Don't overbake. These cookies only need about 10 minutes in my oven. They'll continue to firm up as they cool.

Use parchment paper. It makes cleanup easier and helps prevent sticking.

Let them cool before stacking. The cookies are tender when warm, so give them time to set.

Fun Variations to Try

These orange crinkle cookies are delicious just as they are, but there are a few ways you could change them up.

Orange Creamsicle Crinkle Cookies: Add a little vanilla extract to the dough for a flavor reminiscent of an orange creamsicle.

Orange-Chocolate Cookies: Add a small handful of mini chocolate chips for an orange-and-chocolate combination.

Extra Citrus Flavor: Add a little freshly grated orange zest to the dough for a brighter citrus note.

Orange and White Chocolate: Try mixing in a few white chocolate chips for a sweeter variation.

These are optional ideas rather than variations I've tested in this batch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make orange crinkle cookies with a boxed cake mix?

Absolutely! That's exactly how I made these. A box of orange cake mix provides the flour, sugar, leavening, and flavor in one convenient package.

Do I need to add extra flour?

Not with the 15.25-ounce Duncan Hines Orange Supreme cake mix I used. The dough worked beautifully without additional flour.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Cake mix cookie dough can be sticky. Chilling it for 20 minutes makes it easier to scoop and roll in powdered sugar.

Why didn't my cookies crinkle?

The crinkle effect develops as the dough expands during baking and the powdered sugar coating separates. Make sure your oven is fully preheated and coat the dough generously with powdered sugar.

Can I use a different brand of orange cake mix?

You can experiment with other brands, but keep in mind that cake mix sizes and formulas vary. I tested this recipe using Duncan Hines Orange Supreme.

How do I store orange crinkle cookies?

Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for approximately 3–4 days.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes! Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

More Crinkle Cookies to Love

Who knew a simple box of cake mix could turn into so many beautiful cookies? From rich chocolate and buttery classics to fruity favorites and festive holiday treats, there's a crinkle cookie for every occasion. Each one has its own personality, but they all share those irresistible powdered sugar cracks!

Take a peek at the whole crinkle cookie collection:

• Easy Sugar Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – A sweet, simple classic with tender centers and beautiful snowy tops.
• Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Rich, chocolatey goodness wrapped in a crackly coat of powdered sugar.
• Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Gorgeous ruby-red cookies with a little old-fashioned Southern charm.
• Strawberry Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Pretty in pink, bursting with sweet strawberry flavor.
• Orange Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Bright, citrusy cookies that bring a little sunshine to the cookie platter.
• Golden Butter Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Buttery, tender, and wonderfully simple, with delicate golden color.
• Christmas Crinkle Cookie (Cake Mix Recipe) – Festive red and green beauties that practically beg for a spot on your holiday cookie tray!

Can't decide? Bake a couple of flavors and put together your own colorful crinkle cookie platter. It's an easy way to make an ordinary batch of cookies feel extra special!

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope you'll give these Easy Orange Crinkle Cookies a try! They're bright, cheerful, easy to make, and absolutely beautiful on a cookie platter.

If you make them, I'd love to hear how they turned out for you.

And if you're a fan of easy cake mix baking, be sure to explore the other crinkle cookie flavors here at Out of the Box Baking!

Happy baking!

Don't forget to pin some photos to your Pinterest boards before you go!

Janice Thompson is a professional baker, cake designer, and author with over 20 years of experience creating unique cakes and desserts. She’s the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares her favorite doctored cake mix recipes, tutorials, and baking tips. Learn more →