Make this Classic Christmas Cookie Recipe using a cake mix and pantry ingredients, add a little food coloring to make it festive!
Just in time for Christmas and the holidays, this holiday cookie recipe is the perfect choice for a holiday cookie exchange or just to add to a Christmas cookie platter.
They are bright and vibrant with the red and green colors and they have a brownie-like cookies due to using the cake mix as a base.
Trust me these are the best baked cookies!
How do you get the vibrant colors?
Not all food coloring is the same and this reigns true for these crinkle cookies too.
It’s best to use true food coloring that is used for cakes and cookies.
The best food coloring to use is Wilton Red-Red and Wilton Kelly Green.
This is what was used in the images of the cookies that you see on this post.
What cake mix do you use for this recipe?
This recipe is made with a Betty Crocker White Cake Mix, 13.25oz. It is imperative to make sure that you get the cake mix with the correct ounces if you are going to follow this recipe.
It is best to use WHITE CAKE mix for this recipe so that it stays true to color. Yellow Cake Mix can be used; however, it will alter the colors that are added.
The recipe itself is based on this particular size of cake mix.
Be sure to follow the recipe exactly for the best results.
Tips for Making Christmas Crinkle Cookies:
The base ingredients can be mixed in a large mixing bowl with a Danish dough whisk or in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Remember the dough will be thick so carefully use the stand mixer. It’s also best to start with the dry ingredients and add in the wet ingredients.
Once this is complete, the dough will need to be separated into two equal bowls and then you can begin to use a toothpick to add the food coloring to each separate bowl for the green or red colors.
It’s best to continue adding the color little by little until you reach the desired color.
Once this is done, prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Use a cookie scoop that is about 1 1/2 TBSP and scoop the dough with the cookie scoop into cookie dough balls, then coat it with the powdered sugar and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
Remember that if your dough is too warm or even room temperature it makes them harder to work with, so you can place the dough in the fridge until you are ready to roll them if you prefer. For example, work with the red dough and leave the green dough in the fridge until you are ready.
Once the cookies are ready, bake them at 375 degrees F for a baking time of 9-12 minutes, then let them cool for 1-2 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Remember to watch them closely the first time that you are making these because even an extra minute can alter the texture of a cookie.
Can you freeze the cookie dough?
If you do not want to make all the cookies at the time the dough is prepared, then you can wrap a dough ball in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe storage bag.
This can be kept in the freezer until you are ready to defrost and make the cookies. When you are ready to use the dough, let it come to room temperature then prepare it to bake.
The cookie dough is typically good in the freezer for up to 2 months as long as it is properly sealed freezer bag.
How do you store Christmas crinkle cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
By following the recipe card you will have the perfect cookie to add to your Christmas cookie plates! Be sure to also add these Christmas sugar cookies, which are perfect to use for cut-out cookies with cookie cutters.
Enjoy this holiday staple that is a MUST for your party!
Christmas Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 White Cake Mix 13.25oz
- 2 Eggs
- 1/3 Cup Olive Oil
- 1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar
- Red Food Coloring
- Green Food Coloring
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, silicone baking mat, or coat with nonstick baking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, and olive oil. Mix until all ingredients are combined. I used a Danish dough whisk, but a large mixing spoon will also work. Using an electric mixer can make the dough too thick.
- Separate the dough equally into 2 bowls. In one bowl, using a toothpick add the red food coloring and in the other bowl using a different toothpick, add in the green coloring. Mix this well until the desired color is reached.
- Using a small cookie scoop, roll the dough into smaller balls 1 1/2 Tbsp size.
- Then coat the dough ball in powdered sugar.
- Place on the cookie sheet, leaving 1 1/2 inches between each ball to allow the cookies to spread.
- Bake in a preheated over for 9-12 minutes.
- Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag #mommyhatescoooking on Instagram and follow for more @momhatescooking
Comments & Reviews
Esme Slabbert says
Love a crinkle cookie and these do look outstandingly beautiful.
I visited you via Thursday Favorite Things Party:
I linked up this week with = 99+100. I hope you will join us M-S SeniorSalonPitStop and W-S #WordlessWednesday. You will find both under BLOGGING.