Irresistible 3-Ingredient Cookies You’ll Keep Making!

As someone juggling parenthood and a background in pastry arts, I know firsthand how daunting baking can be. Just a simple batch of cookies calls for a long list of ingredients, and adding kids to the mix only ups the ante.

That’s probably why I’ve become such a fan of using cake mix for making cookies. These mixes not only simplify cake baking but are also fantastic for creating soft, chewy cookies with just the addition of butter and eggs.

This three-ingredient wonder is perfect for whipping up a quick batch for a bake sale or a school event, and you can customize them with whatever mix-ins you have in your pantry.

Ideal Cake Mixes for Delicious Cookies

I’m currently all about the confetti cake mix for its fun, festive look and taste. You can use any 15-ounce cake mix you like for these cookies.

We’ve tried everything from red velvet for vibrant holiday-themed cookies to devil’s food cake mix for luxurious, crinkle-cut cookies dusted with powdered sugar. My mother-in-law is particularly fond of the lemon cake mix version, which rivals the taste of classic lemon bars.

Creating Your Cake Mix Cookies

To prepare around 20 (3-inch) cookies, you’ll need:

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box Funfetti cake mix
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles, for rolling, optional

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs together in a large bowl until smooth. Using a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, drop 1 1/2-tablespoon mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Optionally, roll each mound in sprinkles before placing them back on the sheets.

Bake until the cookies puff up and just start to brown, about 10 to 14 minutes. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container; they’ll stay fresh for up to three days.

Enhancing Your Cake Mix Cookies

Starting with your chosen cake mix, eggs, and melted butter, you can explore various upgrades:

• Include different chips in your batter. Try white chocolate chips with red velvet or confetti, dark chocolate chips in devil’s food, or butterscotch chips in yellow cake mix. A cup of chips usually does the trick.
• Consider a sugary coating. Roll confetti cookies in sprinkles, yellow cake mix cookies in cinnamon sugar, or create a crinkle effect by rolling in powdered sugar—just chill them for 20 minutes before baking.
• Add toppings like nuts, additional sprinkles, or chopped chocolate. These can be mixed into the dough or sprinkled on top before baking for extra flair.