🎉 Introduction
If you’re looking for a cookie recipe that’s unbelievably easy, incredibly tasty, and perfect for Christmas baking, these Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies will become your new go-to treat. They deliver everything you love about classic chocolate crinkles — the rich cocoa flavor, the snowy cracked exterior, the soft brownie-like center — but with a shortcut that makes the process fast, foolproof, and totally beginner-friendly.
Using a simple chocolate cake mix as the base cuts your prep time in half while still giving you fudgy, chocolatey, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that look like they came straight from a bakery. These cookies puff up beautifully, form dramatic snowy cracks, and stay soft for days thanks to their cake-mix foundation.
Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing a quick dessert for a holiday party, making cookie boxes, or need a last-minute Christmas treat, these Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies deliver festive magic without the stress. You only need a handful of ingredients and a few minutes — and the results are spectacular.
Let’s make the easiest (and tastiest!) holiday cookies ever.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Silicone spatula
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper or silicone mats
- Cookie scoop
- Cooling rack
- Small bowl for powdered sugar
🛒 Ingredients
Base Cookie Ingredients
- 1 box Chocolate cake mix
- 2 Large eggs
- 1/3 cup Vegetable oil or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Coating
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
Optional Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup Chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon Peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon Instant coffee powder (for deeper flavor)
- Holiday sprinkles
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking trays with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together:
- Eggs
- Oil
- Vanilla extract
Mix until smooth.
Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
Add the chocolate cake mix to the wet ingredients.
Use a spatula to combine until a thick dough forms.
The dough will be sticky — that’s exactly right!
Step 4: Chill the Dough (Optional But Recommended)
Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes to make rolling easier and to help the cookies puff up more.
Step 5: Roll in Powdered Sugar
Place powdered sugar in a small bowl.
Using a cookie scoop, roll dough into balls.
Coat each dough ball very generously in powdered sugar.
A thick coating gives beautiful snowy crinkles.
Step 6: Bake
Place cookies on the tray, leaving space for spreading.
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until:
- Tops form big crinkles
- Centers look soft
- Edges are lightly set
Do NOT overbake — they firm up as they cool.
Step 7: Cool
Let cookies sit on the tray 5 minutes.
Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 18–22 cookies
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Chill Time: 20–30 minutes
- Bake Time: 9–11 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for 5–6 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Warm for 6–7 seconds in the microwave for a fudge-like texture.
🥄 Variations
1. Double Chocolate Cake Mix Crinkles
Add chocolate chips or chunks to the dough.
2. Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Add a hint of peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
3. Hot Cocoa Crinkles
Add mini marshmallows after baking for a warm hot-cocoa twist.
4. Red Velvet Crinkles
Use red velvet cake mix for a festive color.
5. Espresso Crinkle Cookies
Add instant coffee for bold chocolate depth.
6. Funfetti Crinkles
Add holiday sprinkles for Christmas color.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use any brand of cake mix?
Yes — any chocolate cake mix works.
2. Why is my dough too sticky?
Cake mix dough is naturally sticky. Chill it 20 minutes.
3. Why didn’t my cookies crinkle?
You may not have used enough powdered sugar — coat thickly.
4. Can I use butter instead of oil?
Oil keeps cookies soft, but melted butter works too.
5. Can I add nuts?
Yes — pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts work great.
6. Why are my cookies dry?
They were overbaked — remove when centers still look soft.
7. Can kids help make this recipe?
Yes — it’s extremely kid-friendly.
8. Can I use gluten-free cake mix?
Yes — it works beautifully.
9. How do I make them thicker?
Chill the dough longer or add 2 tbsp of flour.
10. Can I make them ahead?
Yes — the dough stays good in the fridge for 48 hours.
🏁 Conclusion
These Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies are proof that baking amazing holiday treats doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up soft, chocolatey, beautifully cracked cookies that look impressive and taste even better.
They’re perfect for Christmas parties, holiday platters, last-minute baking, and cozy winter nights. The cake mix base guarantees soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate flavor every single time. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, these cookies are guaranteed to become a holiday tradition.
Make them once, and you’ll be making them every winter — they’re that easy and that good!
Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies – Super Easy & Super Tasty
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking trays with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together:
- Eggs
- Oil
- Vanilla extract
- Mix until smooth.
- Add the chocolate cake mix to the wet ingredients.
- Use a spatula to combine until a thick dough forms.
- The dough will be sticky — that’s exactly right!
- Chill the dough for 20–30 minutes to make rolling easier and to help the cookies puff up more.
- Place powdered sugar in a small bowl.
- Using a cookie scoop, roll dough into balls.
- Coat each dough ball very generously in powdered sugar.
- A thick coating gives beautiful snowy crinkles.
- Place cookies on the tray, leaving space for spreading.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until:
- Tops form big crinkles
- Centers look soft
- Edges are lightly set
- Do NOT overbake — they firm up as they cool.
- Let cookies sit on the tray 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Room Temperature Store in an airtight container for 5–6 days. Freezer Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months. Reheating Warm for 6–7 seconds in the microwave for a fudge-like texture. 🥄 Variations
1. Double Chocolate Cake Mix Crinkles Add chocolate chips or chunks to the dough. 2. Peppermint Crinkle Cookies Add a hint of peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes. 3. Hot Cocoa Crinkles Add mini marshmallows after baking for a warm hot-cocoa twist. 4. Red Velvet Crinkles Use red velvet cake mix for a festive color. 5. Espresso Crinkle Cookies Add instant coffee for bold chocolate depth. 6. Funfetti Crinkles Add holiday sprinkles for Christmas color. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use any brand of cake mix? Yes — any chocolate cake mix works. 2. Why is my dough too sticky? Cake mix dough is naturally sticky. Chill it 20 minutes. 3. Why didn’t my cookies crinkle? You may not have used enough powdered sugar — coat thickly. 4. Can I use butter instead of oil? Oil keeps cookies soft, but melted butter works too. 5. Can I add nuts? Yes — pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts work great. 6. Why are my cookies dry? They were overbaked — remove when centers still look soft. 7. Can kids help make this recipe? Yes — it’s extremely kid-friendly. 8. Can I use gluten-free cake mix? Yes — it works beautifully. 9. How do I make them thicker? Chill the dough longer or add 2 tbsp of flour. 10. Can I make them ahead? Yes — the dough stays good in the fridge for 48 hours. 🏁 Conclusion These Chocolate Crinkle Cake Mix Cookies are proof that baking amazing holiday treats doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up soft, chocolatey, beautifully cracked cookies that look impressive and taste even better. They’re perfect for Christmas parties, holiday platters, last-minute baking, and cozy winter nights. The cake mix base guarantees soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate flavor every single time. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, these cookies are guaranteed to become a holiday tradition. Make them once, and you’ll be making them every winter — they’re that easy and that good!
