Irresistibly Easy 4-Ingredient Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies: Your New Go-To Dessert!
Craving a delightful chocolate treat but short on time and ingredients? Look no further! These incredibly easy 4-ingredient chocolate cake mix cookies are your perfect solution. Whipped up in mere minutes using simple pantry staples, they deliver a soft, chewy texture and are generously speckled with rich chocolate chips. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe promises a batch of delectable cookies that will satisfy any sweet tooth with minimal effort.
Why These Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Are a Must-Try
This recipe for chocolate cake mix cookies isn’t just easy; it’s revolutionary for anyone who loves homemade treats but dreads lengthy ingredient lists or complicated steps. Here’s why these cookies will quickly become a cherished part of your baking repertoire:
- Unbelievable Simplicity: You only need four ingredients! A box of chocolate cake mix, a couple of eggs, a splash of oil, and your favorite chocolate chips are all it takes. This minimal ingredient list makes grocery shopping a breeze and ensures you can whip up a batch on a whim.
- Lightning-Fast Preparation: Forget about creaming butter and sugar or sifting dry ingredients. The cake mix already has everything perfectly balanced. Just mix, scoop, and bake. These are truly one of the quickest cookies you can make, perfect for unexpected guests or last-minute dessert cravings.
- No Special Equipment Needed: You don’t need a stand mixer or even a hand mixer for these cookies. A simple mixing bowl and a sturdy spoon or spatula are more than sufficient, making cleanup incredibly easy.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: The unique combination of cake mix and oil results in cookies that are wonderfully thick, delightfully chewy, and incredibly soft. They have that satisfying chewiness that sets a great cookie apart, with a rich, deep chocolate flavor.
- Endless Customization: While chocolate is a classic, the base recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily switch out the type of cake mix you use to create a rainbow of flavors. For instance, try our strawberry cake mix cookies for a fruity twist or our confetti cake mix cookies for a fun, festive treat. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to tailor them to any taste or occasion!
Simple Ingredients for Ultimate Chocolate Cookies
You’ll be amazed at how such a small list of ingredients can create such a spectacular treat. Below you’ll find a detailed look at the core components for these delightful chocolate cake mix cookies. For precise measurements and a printable recipe card, scroll down to the end of this post!
Ingredient Spotlight & Creative Substitutions
Let’s dive a little deeper into the ingredients that make these chocolate cake mix cookies so magical and explore how you can customize them to your heart’s content.
- CAKE MIX: You’ll need one standard 15 to 15.25-ounce box of chocolate cake mix. Remember, we’re using the dry mix directly from the box – no need to prepare it according to package directions! Any brand of chocolate cake mix (such as Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, or Pillsbury) will work perfectly. The beauty of using cake mix is that it already contains all the necessary dry ingredients like flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and leavening agents, saving you multiple steps and ensuring a consistent, delicious result.
- EGGS: Two large eggs provide the essential binding and moisture for our cookie dough, helping to create that desired soft and chewy texture. They act as a crucial structural component, bringing all the ingredients together.
- OIL: We use ⅓ cup of oil, such as canola or vegetable oil. Oil is key for achieving the incredibly moist and chewy consistency of these cookies. Unlike butter, which can sometimes lead to a crispier cookie, oil keeps them wonderfully soft and prevents them from drying out. If you prefer, a neutral-tasting melted coconut oil could also be used.
- CHOCOLATE CHIPS & ADDITIONS: The recipe calls for 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, which melt into delightful pockets of chocolatey goodness. However, this is where you can truly get creative! Feel free to swap them out or add in other delicious morsels:
- Other Chocolate Varieties: Experiment with white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips (for an intense chocolate flavor), or even peppermint/mint chocolate chips for a festive touch.
- Candy Mix-ins: Chop up some Andes mints, Reese’s peanut butter cups, or toss in some M&M’s, Rolo candies, or even crushed Oreos for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a nutty crunch.
- Dried Fruits: Dried cherries or cranberries can add a lovely tartness and chewiness.
- Sprinkles: For a fun, celebratory look, especially with confetti cake mix variations, stir in some colorful sprinkles!
Baking Bliss: Step-by-Step Chocolate Cake Mix Cookie Instructions
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Prepare Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.
- Create a Well: In a large mixing bowl, empty the entire contents of your chocolate cake mix. Use a spoon to create a small “well” or depression in the center of the dry mix. This helps in incorporating the wet ingredients smoothly.
- Add the Eggs: Crack the two eggs directly into the well you created in the cake mix.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Lightly beat the eggs in the well, then pour in the oil. This method helps prevent pockets of dry mix and ensures a more uniform dough.
- Mix Until Just Combined: Using a sturdy spoon or spatula, gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry cake mix. Stir until everything is just combined and a thick, uniform dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently stir in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This ensures every cookie has those delightful pockets of melted chocolate.
- Scoop and Space: Using a Tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking. For uniform size and baking, a cookie scoop is highly recommended.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the center of your preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes. The cookies are ready when the edges appear set, but the centers may still look slightly soft and gooey. This slight underbaking is the secret to their incredibly chewy texture.
- Cooling is Key: Once baked, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest on the hot sheet for 5 minutes. This allows them to continue cooking slightly and firm up, preventing them from crumbling when you transfer them. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Cake Mix Cookies
Once fully cooled, store your delicious chocolate cake mix cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can place them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Absolutely! Freezing the unbaked cookie dough balls is a fantastic way to prepare ahead and enjoy fresh-baked cookies anytime. After you roll the dough into balls, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash-freeze them for about an hour until solid. Once firm, transfer the frozen dough balls to a large freezer-safe ziptop bag, making sure to label it with the date. The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply remove them from the freezer, preheat your oven, and bake as directed. You might need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time if baking from frozen.
Any standard 15-15.25 ounce box of chocolate cake mix will work beautifully for this recipe. Brands like Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or Pillsbury are all excellent choices. Ensure it’s a “chocolate” flavor, not just yellow or white, unless you’re intentionally experimenting with a different type of cake mix cookie.
Several factors can contribute to flat or hard cookies. Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten too much, leading to a tougher texture. Ensure you only mix until just combined. Using too much oil can also cause spreading, as can an oven that’s not hot enough. An inexpensive oven thermometer can help verify your oven’s true temperature. For a chewier cookie, ensure you don’t overbake them; they should look slightly underdone in the center when removed from the oven.
While oil provides that signature chewy and moist texture, you can experiment with melted butter. Keep in mind that using melted butter might slightly alter the texture, potentially making the cookies a bit crispier rather than as chewy. If you opt for butter, ensure it’s fully melted and cooled slightly before incorporating it into the dough.
These chocolate cake mix cookies make wonderful gifts! Once completely cooled, stack them neatly in a decorative tin or cellophane bag. You can tie a pretty ribbon around them and add a small tag with the ingredient list (if allergies are a concern). For an extra touch, drizzle them with melted white chocolate or sprinkle with flaky sea salt before packaging.
Delightful Ways to Serve Your Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
These chocolate cake mix cookies are delicious all on their own, but a few creative touches can elevate them even further!
- Classic Pairing: Enjoy them warm from the oven with a tall glass of cold milk, a steaming mug of coffee, or a rich hot chocolate.
- Garnish Galore: Optionally garnish your cookies with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt immediately after baking to enhance the chocolate flavor. A decadent drizzle of melted white, milk, or dark chocolate can also add visual appeal and extra richness.
- Dessert Upgrades: Turn them into incredible ice cream sandwiches by placing a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies. They also make a fantastic base for a cookie sundae with whipped cream, hot fudge, and a cherry on top!
- Breakfast or Brunch Treat: While undeniably a dessert, a single cookie pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or as a sweet bite for a relaxed brunch.
Explore More Easy Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
Once you discover the magic of cake mix cookies, you’ll want to try every flavor! Here are some other fantastic variations to inspire your next baking adventure:
- Zesty Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Fun Confetti Cake Mix Cookies
- Seasonal Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies
- Sweet Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
- Classic Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!
Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce chocolate cake mix 1 box
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup oil canola or vegetable
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Things You’ll Need
-
Mixing bowls
-
Wire cooling rack
-
Baking sheet
Before You Begin
- These cookies baked for 12 minutes are very soft in the center when you take them out, and may fall apart if you remove them from the cookie sheet right away. If you want a firmer cookie, you can bake them for closer to 15 minutes.
- Store the fully cooled cookies in an air-tight container kept at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Feel free to swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for any flavor you prefer. White chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch, dark chocolate, peppermint or mint chocolate chips all work wonderfully here. You can even chop up some Andes mints, Reese’s peanut butter cups, or toss in some M&M’s in place of chocolate chips.
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350F.
-
Add cake mix to a bowl, and make a well in the center.
-
Crack eggs into the well.
-
Beat eggs, then add oil.
-
Stir together until just combined.
-
Stir in chocolate chips.
-
Scoop cookie dough by the Tablespoon onto a parchment lined baking sheet with about 2 inches of space between each.
-
Bake in center of oven for 12 minutes, until edges are set.
-
Remove from oven, and let rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.