Easy Cake Mix Snickerdoodles (Cinnamon Sugar Crinkle Cookies)

Make easy cake mix snickerdoodles with soft centers, crisp edges, and a cinnamon-sugar coating! Just a few ingredients and 10 minutes to bake.

I seem to be in my cinnamon-sugar season of life.

Seriously. Between baking Dolly Parton's Snickerdoodle Cake, whipping up a Sock It to Me Cake, and making what feels like a never-ending stream of snickerdoodle cookie bars, you'd think I'd have gotten my fill of cinnamon and sugar by now.

Apparently not.

Because here I am again, standing in my kitchen with a box of cake mix, wondering if I can turn it into something that tastes like a good old-fashioned snickerdoodle.

And friends, I'm happy to report that the answer is YES!

These easy cake mix snickerdoodles have soft, tender centers, lightly crisp edges, and that wonderful cinnamon-sugar coating we all love. I added a little cream of tartar for that familiar snickerdoodle tang, and it really did make a difference.

The best part? They start with a simple box of yellow cake mix, and the whole batch makes 16 beautiful cookies. No complicated ingredients, no fuss, and plenty of cinnamon-sugar goodness!

Why You'll Love These Cake Mix Snickerdoodles

If you've been following along here at Out of the Box Baking, you know I've been on quite the cake mix cookie adventure lately. I've discovered that a simple box of cake mix can turn into some pretty extraordinary cookies.

These snickerdoodles are no exception.

They're quick, inexpensive, and easy enough for beginning bakers. And because the cake mix already contains most of the dry ingredients, there's very little measuring involved.

But the real magic happens when you roll the dough in cinnamon sugar.

As the cookies bake, they develop beautiful little cracks across the tops. The edges become lightly crisp, while the centers stay soft and tender.

You get that familiar cinnamon-sugar bite of a traditional snickerdoodle without having to make the entire recipe from scratch.

And honestly? I think they're pretty darn cute, too!

What Makes a Snickerdoodle Different from a Sugar Cookie?

At first glance, snickerdoodles and sugar cookies might seem pretty similar. They're both sweet, simple cookies that rely on basic pantry ingredients.

But traditional snickerdoodles have a couple of things that set them apart.

First, they're rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking. That gives them their signature flavor and a slightly crisp, sugary exterior.

Second, snickerdoodles traditionally contain cream of tartar.

Cream of tartar adds a subtle tanginess that balances the sweetness and gives these cookies their distinctive flavor.

I decided to add ½ teaspoon to my cake mix version, and I'm glad I did! It made a noticeable difference in the finished cookies.

If you're hoping for something that tastes more like a traditional snickerdoodle and less like an ordinary cinnamon-sugar cookie, I recommend including it.

Ingredients for Cake Mix Snickerdoodles

You only need four ingredients for the cookie dough and two more for the cinnamon-sugar coating.

For the Cookies

• 1 box yellow cake mix (13.25 ounces)
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

That's it!

No additional flour, no butter, and no vanilla extract. The cake mix takes care of most of the work.

A note about cake mix: I used yellow cake mix, which gave my cookies a lovely golden color. If you prefer a lighter-colored snickerdoodle that looks more like the traditional version, you can use white cake mix instead. The white cake mix variation is a suggested substitution, not one I've tested in this batch.

How to Make Cake Mix Snickerdoodles

These cookies come together quickly, but I recommend allowing 20 minutes for the dough to chill. That's the method I used, and the cookies turned out beautifully.

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

Place the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and cream of tartar into a large mixing bowl.

Stir until everything is well combined and a thick cookie dough forms.

Don't worry if the dough seems a little sticky. That's normal for cake mix cookies.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

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

This brief chilling time makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar

While the dough chills, combine 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl.

Stir until the cinnamon is evenly distributed.

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 4: Roll and Coat the Cookies

Divide the chilled dough into 16 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball.

Roll each ball generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until completely coated.

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving room between them for spreading.

Step 5: Gently Flatten

Here's an important little step!

After placing the coated dough balls on the baking sheet, gently press down on each one to flatten it slightly.

Don't smash them completely flat. Just give each ball a little press.

This is exactly what I did with my batch, and it helped produce those lovely, round cookies with their pretty crackled tops.

Step 6: Bake

Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

The cookies should be set around the edges but still soft in the centers.

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

This recipe makes 16 cookies.

What to Expect from These Cookies

Let me tell you, these turned out better than I expected!

The first thing you'll notice is their beautiful golden color. Because I used yellow cake mix, they're a little more golden than my traditional snickerdoodles.

They also develop lovely cracks across the tops as they bake, giving them an appearance similar to crinkle cookies.

But the texture is what really won me over.

The centers are soft and tender, while the edges have just enough crispness to give you that wonderful cinnamon-sugar bite.

And the cinnamon-sugar coating? Oh, it's everything you want in a snickerdoodle.

That little bit of cream of tartar adds the familiar tang that makes these taste like the real deal.

They're simple, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious.

Tips for the Best Cake Mix Snickerdoodles

Don't skip the cream of tartar. While you can technically make cinnamon-sugar cake mix cookies without it, cream of tartar contributes the distinctive flavor that makes a snickerdoodle a snickerdoodle.

Chill the dough for 20 minutes. This makes the dough easier to roll and helps control spreading.

Coat generously with cinnamon sugar. That sweet, slightly crisp exterior is one of the best things about these cookies.

Press the dough balls down slightly. This helps them spread into a more traditional snickerdoodle shape.

Don't overbake. Ten minutes worked beautifully for my batch. The cookies should remain soft in the center, so remember they'll continue to set as they cool.

Try white cake mix. If you want a paler cookie, white cake mix is a reasonable alternative, although I used yellow cake mix for the batch pictured here.

Fun Variations to Try

Once you've mastered the basic recipe, there are several ways to change things up.

White Cake Mix Snickerdoodles: Substitute white cake mix for yellow to create a lighter-colored cookie.

Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles: Replace the cinnamon in the coating with pumpkin pie spice for a cozy fall variation.

Extra Cinnamon Snickerdoodles: Add a little cinnamon directly to the cookie dough if you want an even stronger cinnamon flavor.

Holiday Snickerdoodles: Add a little colored decorating sugar to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a festive touch.

These are ideas for future batches rather than variations I've tested with this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use white cake mix instead of yellow?

Yes! White cake mix should work well in this recipe and will produce a lighter-colored cookie. I used yellow cake mix for my tested batch, so the white cake mix version may look a little different.

Do I really need cream of tartar?

I highly recommend it! Cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their characteristic tangy flavor. Without it, you'll still have a cinnamon-sugar cookie, but it won't have quite the same traditional snickerdoodle taste.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Cake mix cookie dough can be sticky. Chilling it for 20 minutes makes it easier to roll and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Why did you flatten the cookies before baking?

I gently pressed down on the dough balls after rolling them in cinnamon sugar. This encouraged them to spread into a traditional snickerdoodle shape rather than remaining too puffy.

Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?

You can try, but I recommend following the tested method. The 20-minute chill worked well for my batch and made the dough easier to handle.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The edges should look set, while the centers remain soft. My cookies baked for 10 minutes at 350°F. Be careful not to overbake them if you want those tender centers.

How should I store cake mix snickerdoodles?

Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months.

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 beautiful crackled tops that make crinkle cookies so irresistible!

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.
• Golden Butter Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Buttery, tender, and wonderfully simple, with delicate golden color.
• Funfetti Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies – Fun, festive, colorful, and perfect for any occasion!
• 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.
• Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Soft, fluffy, cake-like centers and beautiful powdered sugar cracks.
• Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Festive red and green beauties that practically beg for a spot on your holiday cookie tray!
• Lemon Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Cookies) – Two methods, two yummy ways to make luscious lemon crinkles!
• Strawberry Fluffies (Cake Mix Cookies Made with Whipped Cream) – You'll love this simple method!
• Strawberry Lemonade Crinkle Cookies – Merge two of your favorite flavors together for one delicious (and simple) cookie.
• How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Crinkle Cookies – Discover easy recipes, baking tips, and fun flavors for every occasion.

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've enjoyed this easy little twist on a classic snickerdoodle!

There's something so comforting about cinnamon-sugar cookies, especially when they're still a little warm from the oven. And I love knowing that I can make a delicious batch with just a box of cake mix and a few pantry staples.

If you give these cake mix snickerdoodles a try, I'd love to hear how they turn out for you!

Happy baking, friends!

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 →