Easy Spice Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

Easy spice cake mix crinkle cookies are soft, fluffy, gently spiced, and covered in powdered sugar. Just 4 ingredients and 11 minutes to bake.

If you love the warm, cozy flavors of spice cake and the beautiful crackled tops of crinkle cookies, you're going to love this easy recipe! These soft, fluffy spice cake mix crinkle cookies come together with just a handful of ingredients and bake up with the prettiest powdered sugar coating.

And the best part? You don't have to measure out a single spice!

An Unexpected Batch of Spice Cake Cookies

Sometimes the best baking ideas come from the most unexpected places.

This morning I happened to notice that quite a few people were finding Out of the Box Baking while searching for spice cake mix recipes. That got me thinking about my growing collection of cake mix crinkle cookies.

I'd made all sorts of flavors, but somehow I'd overlooked spice cake!

Well, we couldn't have that, could we?

So, first thing this morning, I headed into the kitchen to whip up a batch.

There was one little surprise waiting for me. I'd ordered my usual name-brand cake mix, but the grocery store substituted Walmart's store-brand spice cake mix instead. I'd never baked with that particular brand before, but I figured this was as good a time as any to give it a try.

And friends, I'm so glad I did! These cookies turned out beautifully. They're light, fluffy, tender, and delicately spiced, with gorgeous crackled tops and just the right amount of sweetness from the powdered sugar.

Not gummy. Not dry. Just right!

Why You'll Love These Spice Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

First of all, they're incredibly easy. The cake mix does most of the work, providing the flour, sugar, leavening, and spices in one convenient box.

You'll also love that they're:

• Made with just a few simple ingredients.
• Full of gentle, warm spice flavor.
• Soft and fluffy on the inside.
• Covered in a beautiful crackled powdered sugar coating.
• Perfect for fall baking, Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas cookie trays, or an ordinary afternoon when you're craving something sweet.

And if you're a fan of cake mix baking, you'll appreciate how quickly these come together.

Ingredients for Spice Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

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

• 1 box spice cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• Powdered sugar for rolling (approximately ½ cup)

That's it!

No vanilla. No additional cinnamon. No extra spices.

The spice cake mix provides all the flavor you need.

A note about cake mix: I used Walmart's store-brand spice cake mix for this batch because it was substituted in my grocery order. Other brands may behave slightly differently, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake.

How to Make Spice Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

These cookies couldn't be simpler, but I did make a couple of small adjustments to my usual crinkle cookie method that worked especially well.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Place the spice cake mix in a large mixing bowl.

Add the eggs and vegetable oil.

Stir until everything comes together into a thick cookie dough. Make sure there are no pockets of dry cake mix remaining.

Step 2: Chill Briefly

Place the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.

I've been experimenting with chilling times for my cake mix cookies, and I've noticed that some batches puff up more than I'd like.

For these cookies, a shorter chill worked beautifully.

Step 3: Roll in Powdered Sugar

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

Scoop the dough into 16 portions and roll each into a ball.

Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, making sure it's well coated.

Don't be stingy with the powdered sugar! That's what gives the cookies their beautiful crackled appearance.

Step 4: Bake

Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheet, leaving room between them for spreading. Flatten slightly with your palm.

Bake at 350°F for approximately 11 minutes.

I usually bake my cake mix crinkle cookies for about 10 minutes, but these needed one additional minute.

I wanted the centers to be tender without turning gummy, and that extra minute made all the difference.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

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

As they cool, they'll set up beautifully while maintaining that lovely, tender interior.

What to Expect from These Cookies

These aren't dense, chewy cookies. They're lighter and fluffier, with a soft, tender crumb that reminds me a little of cake.

The exterior develops a delicate crust, while the powdered sugar creates those wonderful patches of white against the warm brown cookie.

And the flavor?

It's gently spiced rather than overpowering.

You get the cozy flavors associated with spice cake, but they're mellow enough to let the sweetness of the cookie shine through.

I especially love how the texture turned out. These are neither wet nor dry, and the inside is beautifully baked without losing its softness.

Variations to Try

I love these just as they are, but there are a few fun ways to change things up.

For a more pronounced spice flavor, you could add a little extra cinnamon, though I didn't find it necessary.

For a festive fall cookie, try serving them alongside pumpkin desserts or other cinnamon-spiced treats.

You could also use them as part of a holiday cookie assortment, especially alongside chocolate, red velvet, and lemon crinkle cookies.

Personally, I wouldn't change much about this recipe. Sometimes simple really is best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any brand of spice cake mix?

You can try another brand, although I tested this recipe with Walmart's store-brand spice cake mix. Different mixes may produce slightly different dough consistencies, spreading, and baking times.

Do I have to chill the dough?

I recommend a short 15-minute chill. It makes the dough easier to handle without chilling it so long that the cookies become overly thick.

Why do you flatten the cookies before baking?

I've found that some cake mix crinkle cookies puff up more than I'd like. Gently pressing the coated dough balls before baking helps them spread into a more traditional cookie shape.

How do I know when they're done?

Look for cookies with set edges, beautifully cracked tops, and centers that no longer look wet. Mine were just right after 11 minutes at 350°F.

Can I add extra spices?

Absolutely! A little cinnamon or nutmeg could be delicious if you prefer a stronger spice flavor. I didn't add anything extra to my batch because I loved the mild spice flavor of the cake mix.

How should I store these cookies?

Keep completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for approximately 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes! Once completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

More Spice Cake Recipes to Try

If you've got another box of spice cake mix waiting in the pantry, I've got plenty of ideas for you!

Start with my Got a Box of Spice Cake Mix? Here's What to Make With It! collection, where you'll find all sorts of delicious ways to transform that humble box of cake mix.

You might also enjoy my How to Doctor a Spice Cake Mix recipe, especially if you're looking for an easy cake with homemade flavor.

And if you're in the mood for another seasonal cookie, try my Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies.

More Crinkle Cookies to Love!

I've been on quite the crinkle cookie adventure lately, and my collection keeps growing!

If you enjoy these spice cake cookies, be sure to visit my How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Crinkle Cookies guide for even more ideas.

Here are a few favorites:

• Easy Sugar Crinkle Cookies
• Golden Butter Crinkle Cookies
• Funfetti Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
• Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
• Strawberry Crinkle Cookies
• Orange Crinkle Cookies
• Christmas Crinkle Cookies
• Lemon Crinkle Cookies

There's a flavor for practically every occasion!

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope you'll give these easy spice cake mix crinkle cookies a try. They're proof that you don't need a long ingredient list or complicated instructions to make something delicious.

And to think, this whole batch happened because I noticed people were searching for spice cake recipes!

Sometimes a little inspiration is all it takes to get me back into the kitchen.

Happy baking, friends! Before you go, please pin some photos to your Pinterest boards.