Easy Cake Mix Monster Cookies (Colorful Halloween Cookies)
Make colorful Cake Mix Monster Cookies with just a few ingredients! These easy Halloween cookies are soft, fun to decorate, and perfect for baking with kids.
Looking for a fun, easy cookie recipe that will make everyone smile? These colorful Cake Mix Monster Cookies are just the ticket! Made with a box of white cake mix, eggs, oil, and a little food coloring, they're soft, moist, and absolutely adorable.
Add a few candy eyeballs, and you've got a whole batch of silly little monsters!
These are perfect for Halloween parties, birthday celebrations, classroom treats, or an afternoon of baking with the kids. And because they start with a boxed cake mix, they're incredibly simple to make.
Colorful Little Monsters from a Box of Cake Mix
I've been on quite a cookie-baking adventure lately, especially with all of the colorful crinkle cookies I've been making.
So when I decided to make these little monster cookies, I was tempted to roll them in powdered sugar before baking. I resisted!
I wanted the bright orange, green, and purple colors to take center stage. And I'm so glad I left the powdered sugar off because these cookies developed their own little cracks in the oven. Those craggy tops gave the monsters even more personality!
And can we talk about those eyeballs? Some of these little guys look surprised. Others look confused. A few look downright suspicious! That's half the fun of making them.
I started with a simple white cake mix cookie dough, divided it into three portions, and colored each one with gel food coloring.
The finished cookies were soft, moist, and tasty, with cheerful colors and plenty of personality.
And the whole process was so easy that I immediately thought, "This would be a terrific project for kids!"
What Are Cake Mix Monster Cookies?
Cake Mix Monster Cookies are colorful sugar-cookie-style treats made from a boxed cake mix instead of a traditional scratch cookie dough.
They're different from classic monster cookies, which usually contain peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and colorful candy pieces.
These are all about bright colors and silly faces!
The basic dough requires just three ingredients: cake mix, eggs, and oil. From there, you can add food coloring and decorate the cookies with edible candy eyeballs.
Because the dough is so simple, you can spend your time having fun with the colors and decorations instead of measuring a dozen ingredients.
And that's my kind of easy baking!
Why You'll Love These Colorful Monster Cookies
There are plenty of reasons to give these cookies a try.
They're incredibly easy. A boxed cake mix does most of the work.
They're colorful and fun. The orange, green, and purple doughs make a bright, cheerful collection of little monsters.
They're soft and moist. These cookies have a tender interior and lightly crackled tops.
They're perfect for kids. Little helpers can choose the colors, roll the dough, and create funny faces with the candy eyeballs.
They're versatile. Change the colors to suit different holidays, birthdays, or themed parties.
And best of all, you don't need any fancy decorating skills!
Ingredients for Cake Mix Monster Cookies
You'll find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here's a quick look at what you'll need.
- 1 box (13.25 ounces) white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- Orange gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
- Purple gel food coloring
- Edible candy eyeballs
- A small amount of melted chocolate or frosting, optional, for attaching the eyeballs
That's it!
A Few Ingredient Notes
White cake mix: I recommend white rather than yellow cake mix because it provides a neutral background for the food coloring. Your orange, green, and purple will look brighter and more vibrant.
Eggs: Two large eggs provide structure and moisture.
Vegetable oil: This keeps the cookies soft and tender.
Gel food coloring: Gel coloring produces vibrant colors, but use only as much as you need. Adding a generous amount can affect the moisture level of the dough.
Candy eyeballs: These turn ordinary colored cookies into adorable little monsters. You can find edible candy eyeballs in the baking or cake-decorating section of many stores.
Melted chocolate or frosting: This is optional, but I recommend having a little on hand to secure the eyeballs after baking.
How to Make Colorful Cake Mix Monster Cookies
These cookies couldn't be much easier!
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Place the dry white cake mix in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and vegetable oil. Mix until everything comes together into a thick, soft cookie dough. You don't need to add any water or other ingredients listed on the cake mix box. We're making cookies, not cake!
Step 2: Divide the Dough & add the colors
Separate the dough into three roughly equal portions. Place each portion in its own bowl. This is where the fun begins!
Tint one portion orange, one green, and one purple. I used gel food coloring to achieve bright Halloween colors.
Start with a small amount and add more as needed, mixing until the color is evenly distributed. Remember that too much gel coloring can add extra moisture to the dough, so try to use a concentrated gel that gives you plenty of color without requiring a large amount.
Step 3: Scoop the Cookies
Scoop the colored dough into balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving room between them.
You can make all three colors on the same baking sheet for a fun assortment. Try to keep the dough balls approximately the same size so they'll bake evenly.
Step 4: Bake
Place the baking sheet in the preheated 350°F oven. Bake for approximately 11–13 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have developed little cracks.
These cookies may puff up during baking. If you prefer a flatter cookie, you can gently press the tops with the bottom of a flat glass or measuring cup immediately after removing them from the oven.
Be careful, because the cookies and baking sheet will be hot. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Step 5: Add the Candy Eyeballs
Now it's time to give your monsters their personalities!
You can gently press candy eyeballs into the cookies while they're still warm, but I discovered something while making mine: Those little eyeballs don't always want to stay put! A few of mine kept falling off after the cookies cooled. My suggestion is to let the cookies cool and then attach the eyeballs with a tiny dot of melted chocolate or frosting.
You can give each monster one eye, two eyes, or three! Place them at funny angles for an extra-silly look. And there you have it: a whole batch of colorful little monsters!
What Do Cake Mix Monster Cookies Taste Like?
These cookies have a sweet vanilla flavor, similar to a soft sugar cookie.
They're tender and moist inside, with lightly crackled tops.
Because they're made with cake mix, the texture is a little different from a traditional butter-based sugar cookie. They're softer and slightly more cake-like.
Mine were especially moist, and I suspect the generous amount of gel coloring contributed to that. But they were tasty!
If you prefer a slightly firmer cookie, you can experiment with adding 1–2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the dough. I haven't tested that adjustment in this particular recipe, but it's an option worth trying if you want a little more structure.
The key is to bake the cookies until the edges are set and the centers no longer look wet.
Tips for Making the Best Monster Cookies
Start with white cake mix. It allows your colors to really shine.
Use concentrated gel coloring. A little goes a long way, and using less helps keep the dough from becoming overly moist.
Don't overmix the dough. Once the ingredients are combined, there's no need to keep beating.
Keep the cookies similar in size. This helps them bake evenly.
Watch the baking time. Because these cookies are brightly colored, you won't be able to rely on golden-brown edges as easily.
Flatten if necessary. Cake mix cookies sometimes puff up. A gentle press immediately after baking can give them a flatter appearance.
Secure the eyeballs. A dot of frosting or melted chocolate will keep those little faces intact.
Have fun! These cookies are supposed to look silly, so there's no need to make every monster identical.
Why I Didn't Turn These Into Crinkle Cookies
I have to confess something: After making so many colorful crinkle cookies lately, I was awfully tempted to roll these in powdered sugar before baking. But I wanted something different.
Crinkle cookies get their distinctive appearance from the powdered sugar coating, which separates as the dough spreads and cracks in the oven. These monster cookies developed their own cracks without any powdered sugar at all!
And because I left the powdered sugar off, those bright orange, purple, and green colors really stood out.
If you love the powdered sugar look, be sure to check out my Christmas Crinkle Cookies, Strawberry Crinkle Cookies, and Lemon Crinkle Cookies.
There's always room for another colorful cookie!
A Perfect Baking Project for Kids
If you're looking for a fun baking activity to do with children, these little monsters are a great choice. The dough comes together quickly, and there's no complicated measuring or decorating involved. Kids can help divide the dough, choose the colors, and roll the cookies into balls.
Once the cookies have baked and cooled, let the kids go wild with the candy eyeballs! Some monsters might have one giant eye. Others might have two crooked eyes or three eyes staring in different directions. There's no wrong way to decorate a monster cookie!
An adult should handle the oven, hot baking sheets, and any melted chocolate used for decorating.
These would be especially fun for a Halloween party, classroom celebration, or rainy afternoon at home. If you enjoy baking with little helpers, be sure to visit my Baking with Kids collection for more easy, family-friendly recipes.
Fun Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can change it.
Birthday Party Monsters
Use pink, blue, yellow, and green food coloring for a cheerful birthday party assortment.
Christmas Monsters
Make red and green cookies and add candy eyeballs for a silly Christmas treat.
Valentine's Day Monsters
Try pink, red, and purple cookies for a fun Valentine's Day baking project.
Chocolate Chip Monsters
Fold a few miniature chocolate chips into the dough before baking.
Sprinkle Monsters
Add colorful sprinkles to the dough or press them into the tops before baking.
Different Flavored Cake Mixes
Try a different cake mix flavor for a new variation. Just remember that darker cake mixes won't produce the same bright colors.
How to Store Cake Mix Monster Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled completely and the decorations are secure, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
They should maintain good quality for approximately 3–4 days.
If you're stacking the cookies, place parchment paper between the layers to protect the candy eyeballs.
You can also freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality.
For the prettiest presentation, I recommend freezing them without the eyeballs and adding the decorations after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use yellow cake mix instead of white?
Yes, but the colors may not be quite as bright. White cake mix gives you the cleanest background for orange, green, and purple.
Can I use liquid food coloring?
Yes, but gel food coloring is preferable because it's more concentrated. Liquid coloring may require more drops and can make the dough softer.
Why are my cake mix cookies so moist?
Cake mix cookies naturally have a soft, tender texture. Adding a generous amount of gel food coloring can also affect the moisture level. Be sure to bake until the centers no longer look wet.
Can I add extra flour?
If you prefer a slightly firmer cookie, you can try adding 1–2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. This is an optional adjustment rather than part of my tested batch.
Why did my cookies puff up?
Cake mix contains leavening agents, which can cause cookies to rise in the oven. You can gently flatten them immediately after baking if you prefer.
Should I add the candy eyeballs before or after baking?
I recommend adding them after baking. Candy eyeballs can scorch or discolor in the oven.
How do I keep the candy eyeballs from falling off?
Use a tiny dab of melted chocolate or frosting to attach them to the cooled cookies. This works better than simply pressing them into the warm dough.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! Bake them a day or two before your event and store them in an airtight container. For the neatest appearance, add the candy eyeballs once the cookies are completely cool.
Are these cookies only for Halloween?
Not at all! Change the colors and they're perfect for birthday parties, monster-themed celebrations, and other special occasions.
More Easy Cake Mix Cookies to Try
If you love the simplicity of baking cookies from a boxed cake mix, you're in good company!
I've made all sorts of cake mix cookies over the years, and I love how easy it is to turn an ordinary box of cake mix into something special.
My Christmas Crinkle Cookies are a great place to start if you love colorful holiday cookies.
For something fruity, try my Strawberry Crinkle Cookies or Lemon Crinkle Cookies.
And don't forget to explore my collection of cake mix cookie recipes for even more ideas.
More Fun Halloween Treats
Looking for additional Halloween baking inspiration?
My Spooky-Cute Halloween Sweet Treats collection is filled with fun ideas for fall parties, festivals, and family celebrations.
And if you love cookies with silly monster faces, you'll definitely want to try my blue Cookie Monster Cookies, packed with Oreos, Chips Ahoy, and milk chocolate chips.
Those are a completely different kind of monster cookie, but they're every bit as much fun!
Thanks for Stopping By!
I hope you've enjoyed this colorful little baking adventure!
Sometimes the simplest recipes turn out to be the most fun, and these Cake Mix Monster Cookies are a perfect example.
A box of cake mix, a few bright colors, and some goofy little eyeballs turned into a whole batch of adorable treats.
And even though a few of those eyeballs tried to make a run for it, I think these little monsters turned out pretty cute!
If you give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear what colors you choose. And don't forget to let the kids help decorate!
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 →
Easy Cake Mix Monster Cookies
These colorful Cake Mix Monster Cookies are soft, moist, and easy to make with a box of white cake mix, eggs, oil, and gel food coloring. Add silly candy eyeballs for an adorable Halloween treat or fun baking project with kids!
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- Orange gel food coloring, as needed
- Green gel food coloring, as needed
- Purple gel food coloring, as needed
- Edible candy eyeballs
- Melted chocolate or frosting, optional, for attaching eyeballs
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine dry cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil in a large mixing bowl. Stir until a thick cookie dough forms.
3. Divide the dough into three equal portions.
4. Tint each portion with orange, green, or purple gel food coloring.
5. Scoop dough into evenly sized balls and place on prepared baking sheets, leaving room for spreading.
6. Bake for approximately 11–13 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers no longer look wet.
7. If cookies are overly puffy, gently flatten immediately after removing from the oven.
8. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
9. Once cooled, attach candy eyeballs using a small dot of melted chocolate or frosting.
10. Allow decorations to set before storing or serving.
Notes
White cake mix produces the brightest colors.
Use concentrated gel food coloring sparingly to avoid adding too much moisture.
These cookies are naturally soft and moist.
For a slightly firmer texture, consider testing 1–2 tablespoons of additional flour.
Candy eyeballs may fall off if simply pressed into warm cookies. Melted chocolate or frosting helps secure them.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 65Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 24mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.
