Bake Joy Instantly: Easy Cake Mix Confetti Cookies for Holidays & Parties
Ready to whip up a batch of delightful, soft-baked cookies without the fuss? Our easy cake mix confetti cookies are your secret weapon for any celebration! Whether it’s the festive cheer of Christmas, a vibrant birthday party, or just a special treat for a regular Tuesday, these cookies come together in a flash and are guaranteed to bring smiles. The magic lies in a simple box of cake mix, transformed into chewy, colorful delights with just a few extra ingredients and a shower of sprinkles. Forget complicated recipes and endless measuring – this is baking at its most joyful and straightforward.
Imagine biting into a tender, buttery cookie speckled with bright, playful sprinkles. This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s incredibly versatile. While we adore classic Christmas colors for the holidays, you can easily swap them out for any occasion, matching themes and moods perfectly. Get ready to impress with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
Why These Cake Mix Confetti Cookies Are a Game Changer
Using a cake mix for cookies isn’t just a shortcut; it’s a brilliant hack that guarantees success every time. This recipe works wonders for several reasons, making it a favorite among busy bakers and beginners alike:
- Unbeatable Convenience: Starting with a boxed cake mix drastically cuts down on measuring dry ingredients. No need for flour, baking powder, or sugar – it’s all perfectly proportioned for you! This means less time fussing with measuring cups and more time enjoying the baking process (and the delicious results).
- Consistent Results: Cake mixes are designed for consistency, which translates directly to your cookies. You’ll get perfectly soft, chewy, and flavorful cookies every single batch, taking the guesswork out of baking.
- Minimal Cleanup: Fewer ingredients to measure means fewer bowls and utensils to wash. This is a huge win for anyone who dreads the post-baking cleanup.
- Incredible Versatility: While our focus here is on festive confetti cookies, the possibilities with cake mix are endless. You can easily adapt this base recipe by changing the cake mix flavor (lemon, strawberry, chocolate!), adding different extracts, or incorporating various mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: As mentioned, sprinkles are your best friend for customization. We’ve chosen vibrant Christmas colors for a festive touch, but imagine these cookies with pastel sprinkles for Easter, red and blue for patriotic holidays, school colors for graduations, or a rainbow mix for birthdays. They are a canvas for your creativity!
This recipe liberates you from the kitchen, allowing you to spend more precious moments with friends and family, while still delivering homemade treats that taste like you spent hours crafting them.
Essential Ingredients for Your Confetti Cake Mix Cookies
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You’ll be amazed at how a few simple items can create such a wonderful cookie. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need for both the cookies and the luscious buttercream frosting:
For the Cookies:
- 15 oz box white cake mix (dry mix only): The star of our show! A white cake mix provides a neutral base, allowing the colors of your sprinkles to really pop. You can experiment with other flavors like vanilla, funfetti, or even lemon for a different twist. Remember, only the dry mix is needed – discard or save the instructions on the back of the box for another time, as we’ll be using different proportions.
- ⅓ cup oil: Vegetable oil or canola oil works perfectly here, contributing to the moistness and tender crumb of the cookies. It helps create that classic chewy texture.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs are crucial for binding the ingredients together, adding structure, and enriching the flavor. Ensure they are large and at room temperature for best results, as this helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter.
- Christmas sprinkles (or any color!): These are for mixing directly into the cookie dough, creating that beautiful confetti effect. Choose high-quality sprinkles that hold their color well during baking.
For the Frosting:
While you can opt for a convenient canned frosting (see our FAQ for more on this!), our homemade buttercream frosting takes these cookies to the next level of deliciousness. It’s surprisingly easy to make and tastes infinitely better than store-bought options.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter is key for a smooth, creamy frosting. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to an hour before you start baking. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content.
- 6 cups powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar dissolves easily to create a silky-smooth frosting texture.
- Milk or water (to thin frosting if needed): Have a tablespoon or two on hand to adjust the consistency of your frosting. Start with a small amount and add more gradually until you reach your desired spreadable texture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A good quality vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the frosting beautifully. For an extra festive touch, you could even add a hint of almond or peppermint extract.
- Christmas sprinkles (for decorating): These are for adorning the top of your frosted cookies, adding an extra layer of visual appeal and fun! Use a generous hand here.
Gathering all your ingredients before you start is a great practice, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable baking experience. Get all exact measurements, ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Crafting Your Confetti Cake Mix Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
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.
Making the Cookies
- Prepare your baking station: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your cookies are ready to bake. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, oil, eggs, and 1 tablespoon of your chosen sprinkles (e.g., Christmas sprinkles for the holidays). Use a sturdy wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to stir until all ingredients are just well mixed. The dough will be thick and sticky, so don’t be alarmed! Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop out about 1½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Roll the dough into smooth balls between your palms. Place these dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheets, ensuring there’s plenty of space (about 2 inches) between each one to allow for spreading.
- Flatten for perfect texture: Gently flatten each cookie ball slightly using the palm of your hand or the bottom of a flat glass. This helps them bake evenly and gives them that classic cookie shape. You can also press a few extra sprinkles onto the tops at this stage for added visual appeal.
- Bake to golden perfection: Transfer the baking sheets to your preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden brown, but the centers still look soft. They will continue to set as they cool. Overbaking can lead to dry, crumbly cookies.
- Cool completely: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes before carefully transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. It’s crucial that they are entirely cool before you attempt to frost them, otherwise, your frosting will melt and slide right off.
Preparing the Frosting
- Whip the buttercream: In a separate large bowl, using a hand mixer (or stand mixer), beat together the softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Start on low speed to incorporate the sugar without a dusty mess, then increase to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Adjust consistency: If your frosting appears too thick or stiff, add milk or water one tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition, until you achieve your desired spreadable consistency. You want it to be easy to spread but still hold its shape.
- Frost and decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, generously spread each one with your homemade buttercream frosting. Finish by sprinkling them with an abundance of colorful Christmas sprinkles or any other sprinkles you’ve chosen for your occasion!
And there you have it! A batch of beautiful, delicious, and incredibly easy confetti cake mix cookies, ready to be devoured and shared.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cake Mix Cookies
Absolutely! Using canned frosting is another fantastic shortcut to make these cookies even easier. While homemade buttercream offers a superior taste and texture, store-bought frosting is perfectly acceptable and will still yield delicious results. Just make sure to choose a good quality vanilla or white frosting to complement the cookie base. You can even stir in a little extra vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to enhance its flavor.
No, please do not use the ingredients or instructions listed on the back of the cake mix box for this cookie recipe. Those instructions are specifically for making a cake. For these cake mix cookies, you will only use the dry cake mix powder, along with the specific oil, eggs, and sprinkles detailed in *this* recipe blog post. The proportions of fat, liquid, and eggs are different when making cookies versus a cake to achieve the desired cookie texture.
Once completely cooled and frosted, store these cake mix cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, or if you prefer them chilled, you can store them in the refrigerator. Just be aware that refrigeration might make the cookies a little firmer, so let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully! You have two options:
- To freeze unbaked dough: Roll the dough into balls, flatten slightly, and freeze them solid on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place them on a prepared baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time if needed.
- To freeze baked and frosted cookies: Place the frosted cookies on a baking sheet and freeze until the frosting is solid (this prevents smudging). Then, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be stored for up to 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
This recipe is incredibly versatile! While a white cake mix allows the sprinkles to shine, you can easily experiment with other cake mix flavors to create a variety of cookies. Some popular choices include:
- Vanilla cake mix: Similar to white, but often with a richer vanilla flavor.
- Yellow cake mix: Creates a slightly denser, buttery-flavored cookie.
- Lemon cake mix: For a bright, zesty cookie that’s perfect for spring or summer.
- Strawberry cake mix: Delivers a lovely pink cookie with a fruity flavor, great for Valentine’s Day or baby showers.
- Chocolate fudge or devil’s food cake mix: For rich, decadent chocolate cookies. You can add chocolate chips for an extra boost!
- Funfetti cake mix: If you want even MORE sprinkles and a truly festive look!
Just remember to stick to a standard 15-18 ounce box of mix. The possibilities are endless!
Fun for holidays, birthdays, and other occasions, easy cake mix cookies are a time saver in the kitchen. Sprinkles are a fun addition to these festive cookies, making them visually appealing and extra special. Their effortless preparation means you can focus more on celebration and less on stressing over complicated baking processes.
Explore More Delicious Cake Mix Creations!
Loved how easy these cake mix cookies were? The magic of a simple cake mix extends far beyond just cookies! It’s an incredible ingredient for whipping up a variety of desserts and treats with minimal effort. If you’re looking to expand your cake mix repertoire, check out these other fantastic recipes:
- Crockpot Apple Cobbler
- Carrot Cake Trifle
- Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
- Maraschino Cherry Bundt Cake
- Shortcut Zucchini Muffins
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
- Lemon 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!
Confetti 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!
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Ingredients
Cookies
- 15 oz box white cake mix dry mix only
- ⅓ cup oil
- 2 large eggs
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- Milk or water to thin frosting if needed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Christmas sprinkles
Things You’ll Need
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Insulated baking sheets
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Wire cooling racks
Before You Begin
- For another short cut, use canned frosting instead of making homemade.
- Change out the sprinkles to make cake mix cookies for birthdays, football games, other holidays, and more!
- For extra chewy cookies, slightly underbake them (remove when edges are just set but centers are still soft) and let them cool on the baking sheet for an extra 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Ensure your butter for the frosting is truly softened, not melted. It should be pliable but still cool to the touch.
Instructions
Make the Cookies
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
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In a large bowl with a wooden spoon stir together the cake mix, oil, eggs and 1 tablespoon of the Christmas sprinkles until well mixed.
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Using about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough, shape into balls and place onto prepared cookie sheet with plenty of space in between.
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Flatten the cookies slightly using the palm of your hand or the bottom of a flat glass.
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Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.
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Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting
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In a large bowl using hand mixer beat together the butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
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If your frosting is too thick you can add 1 tablespoon of milk or water at a time until desired consistency is achieved.
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Generously spread each cookie with frosting and sprinkles.
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.