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Just discovered my ultimate holiday treat and I'm so excited to let you in on it! These festive crinkle cookies come together with a white cake mix, making them incredibly simple yet amazingly soft and chewy. The best thing? Their stunning red and green hues make them absolutely perfect for Christmas celebrations! Whenever I take these to holiday gatherings, they vanish faster than anything else on the table.
Why These Stand Out
The cake mix base gives these treats an incredible brownie-like softness, and once you coat them in powdered sugar, they develop those gorgeous crackled surfaces. Their festive colors look so impressive you might hesitate to take a bite... but trust me, you will! They're great for giving as presents or adding that wow factor to your cookie display.
What You'll Need
- Box of White Cake Mix: One 13.25 oz package forms our colorful foundation.
- Eggs: They create that wonderful tender texture.
- Vegetable Oil: This keeps everything moist and soft.
- Powdered Sugar: Creates that snowy, winter-like finish.
- Food Coloring: Gel versions work best for bright Christmas colors.
Creating Your Cookies
- Put Together Your Base
- Combine the cake mix with eggs and oil until you get a thick mixture, then divide it between two separate bowls.
- Add Your Holiday Colors
- Mix red coloring into one bowl and green into the other until you achieve those classic Christmas shades.
- Cool Things Down
- If the mixture seems too sticky, let it sit in the refrigerator for a short while.
- Shape And Dust
- Take small amounts, form them into balls, then thoroughly roll each one in powdered sugar.
- Bake Them Up
- Place in a 375°F oven for around 9-12 minutes, then cool slightly before transferring to a cooling rack.
Smart Baking Tricks
I always go for gel food coloring since it creates those deep, rich shades without thinning out your dough. Make sure to work with cold dough as it's way easier to handle. Don't leave them in the oven too long - you want them tender and soft, not hard.
Storage Solutions
Your cookies will stay yummy in a sealed container for 3-4 days at room temperature or up to a week if you put them in the fridge. You can even freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months and just thaw them when you're ready to bake a fresh batch.
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The Crowd-Pleasing Appeal
These treats always win hearts during Christmas because they taste amazing and look stunning too! That perfect mix of soft texture, bright holiday colors, and sweet powdered coating makes them totally irresistible. And since they're so quick to make, you'll find yourself whipping up batches throughout the entire holiday season.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I swap the cake mix flavor?
Sure! But white cake mix highlights the red and green best.
- → Why don’t my cookies look crinkled?
Make sure they’re fully coated in powdered sugar and chill the dough if it feels soft.
- → Are these okay to make ahead of time?
Yes! Keep them airtight for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- → Can I switch olive oil with something else?
Absolutely. Use any mild oil you like. Both work fine!
- → Is there a gluten-free option?
Yes, gluten-free cake mix works, but adjust liquids if packaging suggests.