Cake Mix Snickerdoodles
Published Sep 03, 2021•Updated May 07, 2025
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Sometimes you just need a super easy, no-fuss cookie recipe, and if that time is now, Cake Mix Snickerdoodles are for you. All you need is a box of vanilla cake mix and a few pantry / fridge staples to make these soft, sweet cookies.
Molly and Clara are in their second week back to school and June starts preschool next week (!), so we are really in the thick of the back-to-school routine. It’s always such a dramatic adjustment from leisurely summer mornings to the scramble of the 8:15am drop-offs but those after-school afternoons feel extra special.
We’ve spent lots of afternoons lounging around but I’ve been throwing in a few super simple baking projects for the girls. Cake Mix Snickerdoodles were such a hit with us all that I had to share them! Just a box of cake mix, some butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Roll them in cinnamon-sugar and bake. These couldn’t be easier to make, but they’re also super delicious too!
What You’ll Love About Cake Mix Cookies
Sometimes you just need a good semi-homemade baked good. Whether you’re in a hurry, want something super easy, or want kids to be involved, cookies made from cake mix really are the best! These also don’t require a mixer, so clean-up is easy.
This recipe is:
- Fast
- Easy
- Kid Baker-Friendly
- Inexpensive
- Make-Ahead
How to Roll Cake Mix Cookies
The only even remotely challenging thing about cake mix cookies is that the cookie dough is very soft and can be hard to roll. If you find that the dough sticks to your hands, rub a small amount of cooking oil between your hands before working with the dough.
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Pin It NowIngredients
- Sugar and Ground Cinnamon – Mix these up to make the cinnamon-sugar crust that is classic for Snickerdoodles.
- White or Vanilla Cake Mix – Either one will work. I find the classic varieties are the easiest to work with (not the “super / extra moist”). Even if you use vanilla cake mix, it’s worth adding the extra pure vanilla extract listed in the recipe for that extra vanilla flavor.
- Unsalted Butter – Salted butter will work fine too, but the cookies will have a slightly more salty flavor.
- Eggs – Hopefully you already have these in your fridge.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – Gives the cookies the classic vanilla flavor that is usually found in Snickerdoodle cookies.
What is the Texture of Cake Mix Cookies?
Since cake mix cookies are made from cake mix (obviously), the texture of the cookies is more cakey than chewy. The addition of melted butter gives them a soft, tender crumb.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
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Cake Mix Snickerdoodles
Equipment
- Half Sheet Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Cooling Rack
- Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 15 ounce box White or Vanilla Cake Mix
- 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 177°C.
- Spray a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until just combined.
- Spray a 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon with nonstick cooking spray and use it to scoop up even-sized portions of dough and roll them in balls. (Note: The dough is very soft, so just handle it gently; if the dough sticks to your hands, rub a drop of cooking oil between your hands before rolling the dough.)
- Roll the dough balls in cinnamon-sugar to coat.
- Place cookie dough balls on prepared sheet pan, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.
- Bake cookies until cracks appear in the surface and the edges look firm, 9 to 11 minutes.
- Let cookies cool for a few minutes on the sheet pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
