If you’re looking for a fun, quick, and utterly delicious treat to whip up, this Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine the rich, decadent taste of chocolate cake transformed into perfectly soft and chewy cookies that come together in a flash with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a cozy snack, this recipe delivers amazing flavor and texture with minimal effort, making it an absolute joy to bake and share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about this Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect cookie. From the foundation of chocolate cake mix to the moistness brought by eggs and oil, every component is essential to achieve that dreamy, soft texture and rich chocolatey flavor.
- Chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz): This is the star of the show, bringing chocolate flavor, sweetness, and the structure for the cookie dough.
- Eggs (2 large): Eggs add moisture and help bind the ingredients together, ensuring soft and chewy cookies.
- Vegetable oil (½ cup): Oil keeps the cookies tender and moist without adding heaviness.
- Optional mix-ins: Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, M&M’s, sprinkles, or white chocolate chunks add texture, pops of color, and bursts of extra sweetness.
How to Make Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for baking the cookies evenly and developing slightly crisp edges with soft centers. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of chocolate cake mix with two large eggs and half a cup of vegetable oil. Stir everything until the mixture forms a thick cookie dough. This shaping is a great indicator that you’re headed toward soft, tender cookies. Now, fold in any of the optional mix-ins you love. Chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks offer melty bites, while M&M’s or sprinkles create colorful, festive cookies.
Step 3: Scoop Out the Cookies
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion the dough into generous mounds and place them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. This spacing allows the cookies room to spread slightly without merging, ensuring perfectly individual cookies with beautiful rounded edges.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a watchful eye because the magic happens just as the edges set and the centers look slightly underbaked—this is the sweet spot for that signature soft texture. Overbaking will risk losing that chewy center, so trust your instincts here.
Step 5: Cool Before Enjoying
Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes. This short rest helps the cookies firm up just enough to move without crumbling. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before digging in—if you can wait that long!
How to Serve Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are delicious on their own, adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzling melted white or dark chocolate over the top elevates their look and flavor effortlessly. Fresh berries or a sprinkle of sea salt work wonders by balancing sweetness with a fresh or savory touch.
Side Dishes
Pair your Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies with a cold glass of milk for classic comfort or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. For grown-ups, a cup of strong coffee or a rich hot chocolate complements the chocolate flavor beautifully and makes every bite feel like a treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your cookie platter pop by arranging assorted mix-ins in little bowls for guests to add their own finishing touches. Sandwich two cookies together with frosting or Nutella for an irresistible sandwich cookie. You can also dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed nuts or sprinkles for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This will keep them soft and fresh, but if you notice they start to dry out, a slice of bread inside the container can help maintain moisture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. Frozen cookies stay fresh for up to 3 months and are perfect for a quick sweet fix whenever cravings hit.
Reheating
Warm up your cookies in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for a few minutes to enjoy that freshly-baked softness and melty chocolate goodness all over again.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While chocolate is classic for this cookie recipe, you can experiment with vanilla, red velvet, or even spice cake mixes for unique twists that keep the preparation just as easy.
What if I don’t have vegetable oil on hand?
Substitute with canola oil, melted coconut oil, or even melted butter for a different flavor profile. Keep in mind that butter may alter the texture slightly, making cookies a bit richer.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
If you choose a gluten-free chocolate cake mix, this recipe naturally becomes gluten-free. Just double-check the mix-ins to ensure they don’t contain gluten.
How do I get my cookies chewier?
For extra chewiness, try adding a tablespoon of honey or brown sugar to the dough, or slightly underbake the cookies by removing them right when the edges set but the centers still look soft.
Can I add other mix-ins beyond the suggestions?
Yes! This recipe is very forgiving. Feel free to add dried fruit, toffee bits, shredded coconut, or your favorite nuts to make it your own special creation.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is truly a game-changer for anyone seeking an easy, delicious, and versatile cookie for any occasion. The simplicity of the ingredients combined with endless customization options make it a recipe you’ll return to again and again. So go ahead, grab that box of chocolate cake mix, and start baking these delightful cookies—you won’t regret it!
Print
Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously simple Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies made with just a few ingredients including a box of chocolate cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Customize with optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or candy pieces for a fun twist. These cookies bake quickly to a soft, fudgy texture perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Optional Mix-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- ½ cup M&M’s or candy pieces
- ¼ cup sprinkles
- ½ cup white chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure cookies do not stick and for easy cleanup.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the dry chocolate cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir thoroughly until a thick, consistent dough forms. If desired, fold in any mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts at this point for added flavor and texture.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion out the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Space the dough about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underbaked. Take care not to overbake to maintain a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- You can customize these cookies by mixing in your favorite add-ins such as nuts, candy pieces, or chocolate chunks.
- Do not overbake; cookies will continue to set while cooling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free version, ensure your cake mix and mix-ins are dairy-free.
