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Vanilla Crinkle Cookies Made with a Cake Mix Recipe

Indulge in the simplicity and delightful flavor of vanilla crinkle cookies made effortlessly with a cake mix. Discover the perfect balance of softness and sweetness in every bite with our easy-to-follow recipe.

These delightful vanilla crinkle cookies made with cake mix are a breeze to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time. 

What makes these cake mix crinkle cookies so special is how effortless they are to make. By using a box of cake mix as the base, you can skip several steps in the traditional cookie-making process. 

The cake mix already contains the essential dry ingredients, so all you need to do is add a few additional ingredients, mix, and bake. This means you can enjoy homemade cookies without spending hours in the kitchen, guaranteeing incredible results. 

Vanilla crinkle cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with irresistible vanilla flavor, with the cake mix providing a tender and moist texture, while the vanilla extract enhances the taste and aroma.

vanilla crinkle cookies with cake mix

Why Should You Make Vanilla Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix ?

Making our Vanilla Crinkle Cookies recipe offers several advantages:

  • Cake mix simplifies the baking process by providing most of the dry ingredients in one package. This means you can skip measuring and sifting flour, sugar, and leavening agents.
  • Using cake mix significantly reduces the preparation time, making it a perfect option for when you want to whip up a batch of delicious cookies quickly.
  • Cake mix ensures a consistent texture, resulting in soft, tender, and moist cookies every time you bake them.
  • While the base cake mix provides a convenient starting point, you can easily customize the flavor by adding ingredients like vanilla extract, chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to suit your preferences.
  • If you’re new to baking, using cake mix is a foolproof way to create delectable cookies without the need for advanced baking skills.
  • Cake mix crinkle cookies are a versatile canvas for creativity. You can experiment with different cake mixes to create unique cookie variations such as strawberry crinkle cookies or fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies.
  • Vanilla crinkle cookies are popular holiday cookies thanks to their snowy appearance. They’re also the perfect cookie for bake sales, special celebrations, and cookie exchanges, as they have a classic flavor that appeals to just about everyone!  Or you can bake them simply when you’re in the mood for comfort and sweetness!

How to Make Vanilla Crinkle Cookies 

Ingredients:

  • 1 box Vanilla Cake Mix
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
vanilla crinkle cookies with cake mix

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs and vegetable oil until smooth and completely combined, about 2 minutes, until a stiff dough forms.

Use a 1 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to portion out the crinkle cookie dough, then roll into dough balls.

vanilla crinkle cookies with cake mix

Roll balls individually in the powdered icing sugar and toss to coat completely, don’t forget the top of the cookie.

The signature crinkle appearance is achieved by rolling the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. Ensure each dough ball is evenly coated to create the distinctive crackled effect.

Place each sugar-coated dough ball at least 3″ apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

vanilla crinkle cookies with cake mix

Bake for 10 minutes until there are puffy cookies and a nice golden brown cookie bottom with crisp edges.

Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before attempting to remove to a cooling rack.

To maintain the freshness and texture of your cake mix crinkle cookies, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag at room temperature. 

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Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies FAQs

Why are my crinkle cookies hard?

If your crinkle cookies are turning out hard instead of soft and chewy, several factors could be contributing to this issue. Here are some possible reasons and solutions:

One of the most common reasons for hard cookies is leaving them in the oven for too long. Follow the recommended baking time in the recipe and check the cookies a few minutes before the time is up. They should still be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven as they will continue to firm up as they cool.

Over-mixing the dough can result in a tough texture. Mix the ingredients just until combined, and once you add the dry ingredients, mix until they are just incorporated.

How do you know when crinkle cookies are done?

Knowing when crinkle cookies are done can be a little tricky since they have a unique texture with a crackled appearance.

Here are some indicators to look for to determine if your crinkle cookies are done:

  • As the cookies bake, you’ll notice that cracks start to form on the surface. The edges of the cookies will also set and appear slightly firm. This is a good sign that the cookies are close to being done.
  • Crinkle cookies should still be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. Gently press the center of a cookie with your fingertip—if it springs back and leaves a slight indentation, it’s a good indication that they are ready. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
  • Crinkle cookies should have a light golden brown color around the edges. This indicates that they have baked sufficiently and have a nice texture.

Can I use any brand of cake mix for these cookies?

Yes, you can use any brand of vanilla cake mix for this recipe. However, different brands may have slight variations in taste and texture, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite.

Can I freeze the cookie dough or baked cookies?

Yes, you can freeze both the cookie dough and the baked cookies. If freezing the dough, shape it into balls and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm. Then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator and proceed with the recipe as usual. Baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Why are my crinkle cookies not crinkling?

If your crinkle cookies aren’t forming the desired cracks on the surface, several factors may be at play.

  • Over mixing the dough can result in a uniform texture that doesn’t crack during baking, so avoid excessive mixing.
  • Ensuring the cookie dough is well-chilled is crucial to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Generously coating the dough balls with confectioners sugar is necessary to create the crinkles, so ensure thorough coverage.
  • Additionally, bake the cookies at the correct temperature and for the specified duration to achieve the desired appearance.
  • Finally, be mindful of using the right amount of leavening agents and following the original recipe to ensure proper crinkling in your cookies.

How do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy?

To achieve soft and chewy cookies instead of crunchy ones, make specific adjustments to your recipe and baking process.

  • Be careful not to overbake the cookies; bake them just until the edges are set and the centers are slightly underdone.
  • Chilling the dough, lowering the baking temperature, and using cake flour can all contribute to a softer and chewier texture.
  • Additionally, store the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and prevent them from becoming too crisp.
vanilla crinkle cookies with cake mix

Vanilla Crinkle Cookies Made with a Cake Mix Recipe

Yield: 20
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Make these delicious vanilla crinkle cookies from a box of cake mix. This recipe is super easy and requires just 4 simple ingredients! These chewy cookies will become a new family favorite.

Ingredients

  • 1 box Vanilla Cake Mix
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1/2 cup Powdered Icing Sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs and vegetable oil until smooth and completely combined, about 2 minutes.

Use a 1 1/2 Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cookie batter, then roll into balls.

Place each ball of dough individually in the powdered icing sugar and toss to coat completely.

Place each sugar-coated dough ball at least 3" apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden and spread out.

Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before attempting to remove to a cooling rack or serve.

Notes

Store in an airtight container, sealed container or freezer bag at room temperature to be sure to have a fresh cookie the next day.

Change up the Cake Mix Flavor

The best part about this perfect dessert is that you can use a variety of cake mixes to make easy cookies!

Make lemon cookies using a lemon cake mix,

devil’s food cake mix or your favorite chocolate cake mix make great fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies

Strawberry Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are fun for Valentine's Day

Add green food coloring and mint extract for simple cookies on St. Patrick's Day or add any of your favorite colors to the dry cake mix!

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