Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe)

Make easy red velvet crinkle cookies with boxed cake mix, eggs, oil, and powdered sugar. Soft, chewy, and perfect for Christmas or Valentine's Day!

If you love red velvet desserts, you're going to flip over these easy Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies! They're soft, tender, beautifully crackled, and made with a simple box of red velvet cake mix. Best of all, you only need a handful of ingredients to make them!

Easy Red Velvet Cookies from a Cake Mix

I've always loved the way red velvet desserts look, especially during the Christmas season and around Valentine's Day. There's something so pretty about that deep red color, especially when it's paired with a snowy white topping.

My granddaughter is a huge red velvet fan. I've made her red velvet brownies before, so I knew these cookies would be right up her alley.

Recently, I started experimenting with different flavors of cake mix crinkle cookies. After making a batch of traditional sugar crinkles, I decided to see what would happen if I used a box of red velvet cake mix instead.

Friends, just look at those cookies!

The deep red dough peeks through the powdered sugar coating, creating a beautiful crackled appearance. And the best part? They're ridiculously easy to make.

What Are Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies?

Crinkle cookies are soft cookies that are rolled in powdered sugar before baking. As the dough expands in the oven, the powdered sugar coating separates, creating those beautiful cracks across the surface.

Traditional red velvet desserts have a mild chocolate flavor, and these cookies are no exception. They're sweet, tender, and have that distinctive red velvet flavor without requiring a long list of ingredients.

Using a boxed cake mix makes the process especially simple. The dry ingredients are already measured and combined, so all you need to add are eggs and oil.

Why You'll Love These Cookies

These cookies are perfect when you want something pretty without spending hours in the kitchen.

They're made with just four ingredients, including the powdered sugar coating. The dough comes together in minutes, and the cookies bake in only 10 minutes.

They're also wonderful for cookie exchanges, Christmas dessert trays, Valentine's Day celebrations, and homemade gifts.

And because they're made with cake mix, they're an easy recipe for beginning bakers, too.

Ingredients for Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

You only need four simple ingredients to make these cookies.

• 1 box (15.25 ounces) red velvet cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• Powdered sugar for rolling (approximately ½ cup, or as needed)

That's it! No additional flour, cocoa powder, or food coloring required.

I used Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake Mix, but another brand should work as long as the box is approximately the same size.

How to Make Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

These cookies couldn't be easier!

Step 1: Make the dough. Place the red velvet cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil in a mixing bowl. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined. The dough will be thick and sticky.

Step 2: Chill the dough. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 20 minutes. This makes the dough easier to scoop and handle.

Step 3: Prepare the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 4: Roll in powdered sugar. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough, then roll each portion generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.

Step 5: Place on baking sheet. Arrange the coated dough balls a couple of inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. If the dough balls are especially tall, press them down very lightly.

Step 6: Bake. Bake at 350°F for approximately 10 minutes, until the cookies have spread, developed their beautiful crackled appearance, and are set around the edges.

Step 7: Cool. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

That's all there is to it!

What Do These Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Taste Like?

These cookies have the familiar mild cocoa flavor of red velvet cake, along with a lovely sweetness from the powdered sugar coating.

The texture is soft and tender, with a slightly cakey center. They're thick enough to feel substantial but not so thick that they resemble little muffins.

And that beautiful white crackle against the deep red cookie? It makes them look far more complicated than they actually are!

Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Don't skip the chilling time. The dough is quite sticky when first mixed. A short stay in the refrigerator makes it much easier to scoop and roll.

Use plenty of powdered sugar. You want a generous coating so those pretty white patches remain visible after baking.

Give the cookies room to spread. Leave approximately two inches between dough balls.

Watch the baking time. Ten minutes worked well for my batch. You want the cookies set around the edges but still tender in the center.

Let them cool before moving. Freshly baked cake mix cookies can be delicate. A few minutes on the baking sheet will help them firm up.

Fun Variations to Try

These cookies are delicious just as they are, but there are plenty of ways to dress them up.

Cream Cheese Frosting Sandwich Cookies: Pair two cooled cookies with a little cream cheese frosting between them. Red velvet and cream cheese are a classic combination!

White Chocolate Red Velvet Cookies: Add a handful of white chocolate chips to the dough for extra sweetness.

Valentine's Day Cookies: Package these cookies in a pretty box with a pink or red ribbon for a homemade Valentine's Day gift.

Christmas Cookie Trays: Pair them with traditional sugar crinkle cookies for a festive red-and-white combination.

Red Velvet Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cooled cookies and freeze until firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different brand of red velvet cake mix?

Yes! I used a 15.25-ounce box of Duncan Hines, but another brand of a similar size should work. Different mixes may produce slightly different dough textures.

Do I have to chill the dough?

I recommend it. The dough is sticky when freshly mixed, and chilling it for 20 minutes makes scooping and rolling much easier.

Why didn't my cookies crinkle?

Make sure the dough balls are generously coated in powdered sugar before baking. The cracks form as the cookies expand in the oven.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes. Allow the baked cookies to cool completely, then store them in a freezer-safe container for up to two months for best quality. Separate layers with parchment paper.

How should I store red velvet crinkle cookies?

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for approximately 3–4 days.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it in a covered container for up to 24 hours. If the dough becomes very firm, allow it to soften just enough to scoop.

More Red Velvet Desserts to Try

If you're a fan of red velvet, you'll definitely want to check out my Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies from Scratch. They're another delicious way to enjoy that beautiful red velvet flavor.

And if you love experimenting with different kinds of crinkle cookies, don't miss my Easy Sugar Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe). They're made with the same simple method but have a classic vanilla flavor.

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope you enjoy these easy Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies as much as I enjoyed making them! They're proof that a simple box of cake mix can become something truly special with just a few additional ingredients.

Whether you're baking for Christmas, Valentine's Day, a cookie exchange, or just because you're craving something sweet, these pretty little cookies are sure to bring a smile.

Happy baking!

Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

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 →