There is something irresistibly cheerful about these Easter Cake Mix Cookies Recipe that makes them a standout treat for springtime celebrations. Imagine tender, sweet cookies bursting with bright Easter-colored m&m’s or sprinkles, perfectly balanced by the rich, smooth coating of melted white chocolate or almond bark. This recipe takes a simple white cake mix and transforms it into festive, delightful bites of joy that are as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids or looking for a quick way to add some color and sweetness to your holiday spread, this Easter Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, where each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the perfect cookie texture and vibrant appearance. With just a handful of pantry staples and holiday-themed toppings, you’ll be whipping up these festive treats in no time.
- 16 oz white cake mix: The base of your cookies, providing structure and a mild sweetness that pairs beautifully with the colorful additions.
- â…“ cup vegetable oil: Adds moisture and keeps the cookies tender without overpowering the flavor.
- 2 eggs: These bind all the ingredients together, giving your cookie dough that perfect elasticity and lift.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and adds a warm, comforting aroma.
- 12 ounces meltable almond bark or white chocolate: Used for dipping or drizzling, giving the cookies a luscious, glossy finish.
- Easter colored m&m’s or sprinkles of your choice: The fun part! These colorful toppings bring that unmistakable festive charm and an extra crunch.
How to Make Easter Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space and Dough
Begin by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until you have a smooth, cohesive dough that’s slightly sticky. This mixture is what gives your cookies a soft and cakey texture, perfect for Easter celebrations.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Pop your dough into the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the dough firm up, making it easier to scoop and preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. While waiting, you can gather your colorful m&m’s or sprinkles for the next exciting step.
Step 3: Shape and Bake
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a spoon or small cookie scoop, shape your dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet, leaving about two inches between each ball. This spacing lets the cookies expand properly without sticking together. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes—be careful not to overbake as you want them soft and tender, not dry or crispy.
Step 4: Cool and Decorate
After baking, transfer your cookies to a cooling rack to let them cool completely. While the cookies cool, melt your almond bark or white chocolate in short intervals in the microwave, stirring in between to get that smooth and luscious finish. Once melted, dip the cookies or drizzle the coating over the top, and immediately sprinkle on your Easter m&m’s or colorful sprinkles for maximum festive flair.
How to Serve Easter Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a finishing touch is what turns these cookies into a showstopper. Besides the classic Easter m&m’s, consider edible glitter or pastel-colored sugar sprinkles to add shimmer and charm. A few small candy eggs or tiny fondant flowers can also make your cookies look like they came straight from a springtime fairytale.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a variety of drinks, from a classic glass of cold milk to a warm cup of herbal tea or even a bright lemonade for an outdoor gathering. For a brunch or dessert table, offer them alongside fresh fruit platters or a light yogurt parfait for a balanced treat experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation can really wow your guests, so consider stacking the cookies on a tiered cake stand or arranging them in pastel-colored baskets lined with tissue paper. Wrapping individual cookies in clear cellophane with a ribbon creates adorable take-home favors and adds a personal touch that everyone will appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cookies left (though that’s unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days, making it easy to enjoy a sweet treat without the fuss of baking again.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either before or after baking. For dough, shape the balls and freeze them on a sheet before transferring to a freezer bag, then bake straight from frozen with an extra minute or two. Finished cookies freeze well too; just wrap them tightly and thaw at room temperature to maintain that tender texture.
Reheating
To enjoy your stored cookies warm, pop them in a microwave for about 10 seconds or briefly in a preheated oven. This little heat-up brings back that just-baked softness and revives the creamy almond bark coating beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix?
Absolutely! While white cake mix offers a blank canvas for vibrant colors and flavors, yellow or funfetti cake mixes work wonderfully too, giving your cookies a slightly different flavor or added sprinkles already mixed in.
What if I don’t have almond bark or white chocolate?
You can substitute with any melting chocolate you prefer, such as milk or dark chocolate. Just keep in mind the flavor and sweetness will change a bit, but it will still be delicious!
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This depends entirely on the cake mix you choose. For a gluten-free version, make sure to select a certified gluten-free cake mix and check that your toppings and almond bark are also gluten-free.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To keep the recipe vegan, you would need to replace the eggs with a suitable vegan egg substitute and use a dairy-free cake mix along with vegan-friendly melting chocolate. It might take a little experimentation, but the festive spirit will still shine through!
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking is key—it firms it up and keeps your cookies thick and tender. Also, avoid adding extra oil, which can cause excessive spreading.
Final Thoughts
Trying out this Easter Cake Mix Cookies Recipe will bring a burst of fun, flavor, and color to your holiday baking. It’s simple enough to whip up on a busy day and festive enough to make your celebrations extra special. So grab your favorite Easter sprinkles, get that almond bark melting, and enjoy the magic of homemade cookies that delight every time. Happy baking!
Print
Easter Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easter Cake Mix Cookies are a festive and easy-to-make treat perfect for celebrating the holiday. Made from a simple white cake mix dough flavored with vanilla and enriched with vegetable oil and eggs, these soft cookies are baked to perfection and then adorned with melted almond bark and colorful Easter-themed candies or sprinkles. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, they’re a delightful seasonal dessert to brighten any celebration.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 (16 oz) box white cake mix (16.25 oz)
- â…“ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 12 ounces meltable almond bark or white chocolate
- Easter colored M&M’s or sprinkles of your choice
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well incorporated and forms a dough.
- Chill Dough: Place the bowl with the dough into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. This helps the dough firm up for easier handling and better texture in the cookies.
- Preheat Oven: After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Shape Cookies: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form 1-inch balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Monitor closely to avoid overbaking; cookies should be just set and soft.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking tray from the oven and transfer the cookies onto a cooling rack to cool completely before decorating.
- Melt Almond Bark: While the cookies are cooling, melt the almond bark or white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl by heating in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth and fully melted.
- Decorate Cookies: Drizzle or dip the cooled cookies with the melted almond bark, then top them with Easter colored M&M’s or your choice of sprinkles. Allow the topping to set before serving.
Notes
- Using parchment paper helps prevent the cookies from sticking and simplifies cleanup.
- Chilling the dough is key to easier handling and helps maintain the shape of the cookies during baking.
- Don’t overbake—cookies will be soft when done and will firm up as they cool.
- Customize your toppings with other Easter-themed candies or colored sprinkles for added fun.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them fresh.
