Introduction to Christmas
Christmas cake mix cookies are an easy way to make a festive dessert without measuring a long list of ingredients. A box of white cake mix creates a soft, tender cookie base, while clear soda helps bring the dough together without adding color. Red and green M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles give every cookie a cheerful holiday finish.
This recipe is a good choice when you need a simple Christmas sweet for a cookie tray, school gathering, or casual family dessert. The dough comes together in one bowl, and the cookies need only a short bake. For the neatest cookies, let them cool fully before stacking or packing them for sharing. This recipe is part of the Top 3 Cake Mix Cookies collection.
Why You'll Love This Christmas
- The dough takes only a few minutes to mix and does not require a mixer.
- Red and green M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles make the cookies look ready for Christmas.
- The cookies stay soft in the center when they are removed from the oven at the right time.
- There is no need to measure flour, baking powder, or granulated sugar.
- The recipe makes enough cookies for a holiday platter, gift box, or small gathering.
Ingredients for Christmas
- 15.25 oz white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup clear soda
- 3/4 cup red and green M&Ms
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- sprinkles
Use a standard 15.25 oz box of white cake mix, and check that the mix is the regular dry kind rather than a prepared cake batter. Clear soda keeps the dough light in color; pour it slowly because different brands can vary slightly in carbonation and sweetness.
How to Make Christmas
Step 1: Heat the Oven
Set an oven rack in the center position and heat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper so the cookies release easily and the M&Ms do not stick as much to the pans. If you have only one baking sheet, let it cool between batches before adding more dough.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Add the white cake mix and eggs to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the clear soda and stir with a sturdy spoon or rubber spatula until no dry cake mix remains. The dough should be thick and sticky rather than pourable. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so the mixture is evenly combined.
Step 3: Add the Holiday Pieces
Fold in the red and green M&Ms and white chocolate chips, reserving a small amount of each if you want to press a few pieces onto the tops later. Fold gently so the candy stays intact. Add the sprinkles and stir just enough to distribute them without overmixing the dough.
Step 4: Portion the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between portions for spreading. A small cookie scoop makes the portions more even. If the dough feels especially soft, place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before scooping.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through if your oven browns unevenly. The edges should look set while the centers still appear slightly soft. Do not wait for the cookies to become deeply browned, because they will continue to set on the hot baking sheet.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep the cookies separate from raw dough, and wash hands, utensils, and work surfaces that touched the eggs before handling ready-to-eat food.
Tips for Success
- Measure the soda in a liquid measuring cup and add it gradually so the dough does not become thinner than needed.
- For a more even appearance, press a few extra M&Ms and white chocolate chips into the tops of the dough portions before baking.
- Use parchment paper on each baking sheet, but do not place parchment directly on the oven floor or under a broiler.
- Bake one test cookie first if you are unsure about your oven. Adjust the remaining bake time by a minute if needed.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them so trapped steam does not make them soggy.
Equipment Needed
- large mixing bowl
- rubber spatula or sturdy spoon
- parchment-lined baking sheets
Variations
- Use only red and green sprinkles if you want the cookie colors to stay strictly within a traditional Christmas palette.
- For a less colorful dough, fold the sprinkles in at the very end and stir only a few times.
- Make smaller cookies by using level teaspoons of dough, then begin checking them after 8 minutes.
- For thicker cookies, chill the mixed dough for 20 to 30 minutes before portioning it onto the baking sheets.
- Create a simple gift-box assortment by pairing these cookies with other varieties from the Top 3 Cake Mix Cookies collection.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies once they have cooled completely, either on a holiday dessert tray or alongside a warm drink. They are soft enough for an easy snack but sturdy enough to pack in a tin or small treat bag. Arrange them in a single layer when possible, or place parchment between layers to protect the white chocolate chips and sprinkles. For food safety and quality, store the finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
FAQs about Christmas
Can I use a different soda in these Christmas cake mix cookies? Clear soda is the best choice for keeping the cookies light in color and preserving the simple flavor of the white cake mix. A lemon-lime soda may also work, but it can add a noticeable citrus note. Avoid dark soda because it will change the color of the dough.
Why is the cookie dough sticky? The dough is naturally sticky because it contains cake mix, eggs, and soda rather than the usual dry flour mixture. Use a scoop or two spoons to portion it. If it is difficult to handle, chill it for 15 to 20 minutes before scooping.
How do I keep the M&Ms from cracking? Fold the M&Ms in gently instead of stirring aggressively. You can also reserve some candy to press onto the tops of the dough portions just before baking, which reduces the amount of mixing.
Can I make the dough ahead of time? You can cover the mixed dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes if it becomes too firm to scoop, then portion and bake as directed. Keep the dough refrigerated because it contains raw eggs.
How should I store leftover Christmas cake mix cookies? Cool the cookies completely, then place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Final Thoughts
These Christmas cake mix cookies keep holiday baking simple while still looking festive on a dessert table. The soft white cookie base gives the red and green candy, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles plenty of room to stand out. Make a batch when you want a dependable treat that requires little preparation and no complicated decorating.
Looking for more? This recipe is part of our roundup of 3 Cake Mix Cookies For Easy Holiday Baking And Sweet Snacks.
Christmas
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Stir the white cake mix, eggs, and clear soda together until a thick, sticky dough forms.
- Fold in the red and green M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between portions.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers remain slightly soft.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Notes
- Chill the dough for 15 to 20 minutes if it is too soft to scoop.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- The cookies contain raw eggs before baking; keep unbaked dough refrigerated and do not taste it.
