Snickerdoodle Cake Mix Cookies

Easily and quickly make these Snickerdoodle Cake Mix Cookies for a soft, fluffy, and delicious treat.

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Last year, my aunt and I were doing some holiday shopping and I noticed ALL the cake mixes were gone. Completely sold out. I mean, empty shelves. I was surprised. 

But, it makes sense. A box of cake mix makes a quick and easy dessert.

I’m all about sharing simple recipes, so I decided to create some cake mix recipes.

This cake mix cookie recipe is for classic snickerdoodles. 

Which is a favorite cookie for many people during the holiday season. It’s also great any time of year.

But, I love to package these cookies up for neighbors and loved ones or bring them to Christmas parties. Especially in cute Christmas cookie boxes.

For more holiday cookie recipes, check out:
- Best Maraschino Cherry Cookies Recipe
- Easy Hot Cocoa Cookies {Made with Hot Chocolate Mix}
- Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe {No Chill}
- Grinch Cookie Recipe {Cake Mix Cookies}

Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies

I have to admit…. This cake mix snickerdoodles recipe is WAAAY easier and faster than a traditional snickerdoodle cookie recipe from scratch. 

And it still makes a delicious cookie. 

The main ingredient is boxed cake mix. 

I prefer to use a white cake mix, especially this super moist cake mix by Betty Crocker.

I have used both a 15.25 oz box and a 16.25 oz box of cake mix, at different times, in this recipe. Both work. 

If you have a box of yellow cake mix, that definitely works too. 

I have never tried this recipe with a box of vanilla cake mix, so I have no idea how that would taste. If you try it, please let me know in the comments below. 

A classic snickerdoodle is a cinnamon cookie, so this recipe adds cinnamon to the dry cake mix. 

It also calls for the balls of dough to be rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking because a good snickerdoodle is always rolled in those traditional ingredients. 

The cinnamon sugar mixture is made by combining 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. 

I scoop the dough with the smallest cookie scoop that I have (the small in this cookie scoop set) and drop it into the small bowl with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

I roll the ball of dough in the cinnamon sugar mixture, covering every side. Then, I place it on the prepared baking sheet.

The dough can be sticky, so this is the easiest way.

Butter or Oil?

I like to make this easy snickerdoodle recipe with melted butter.

When combined with cake mix, it seems to create soft cookies that have a crisp, almost crunchy exterior. 

Unfortunately, a stick of butter is crazy expensive in certain places right now. So, I want to explain how to use oil instead of butter. 

Some people prefer to use vegetable oil while baking. I tend to use an olive oil. Either works in this recipe. 

In my experience, using oil in a cake mix cookie recipe leads to chewy cookies. It’s funny because I always thought that would happen with melted butter. 

If using oil instead of butter in this cooke recipe, I recommend using 1/3 cup oil AND an additional tablespoon of oil. 

It can be difficult to fully mix without the additional tablespoon of oil. 

I also recommend chilling the dough in the fridge for 15-20 minutes, if you use oil. This will make it easier to roll balls prior to baking. 

Please be aware that cake mix cookies that are made with oil tend to be flatter than cake mix cookies that are made with butter. They’re still absolutely delicious though. 

How to Store

Store these cake mix snickerdoodle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. After that, they start to dry out. 

You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

If frozen, simply thaw and enjoy. 

Looking for more holiday favorites, you make like:
- Christmas Pretzel Rods Recipe
- Homemade Peppermint Syrup Recipe

If you enjoyed this recipe, please remember to leave a rating and/or comment below!

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