If you’re looking for a festive, delightful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, the Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe is your new best friend this holiday season. These cookies combine the ease of a yellow cake mix with the irresistible charm of chocolate chips and seasonal sprinkles, creating melts-in-your-mouth bites that bring instant cheer. They’re perfect for gifting, sharing, or just sneaking a few while you unwrap presents. Trust me, once you try this Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe, it’ll become a holiday tradition you’ll look forward to every year!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role, keeping things simple yet delivering a perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the yellow cake mix that forms a soft, flavorful base to the chocolate chips that provide pockets of gooey sweetness, each component adds something special and festive to the mix.
- Yellow cake mix: The key to a tender, moist cookie base that bakes up beautifully without any fuss.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness to the dough.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies soft and chewy, preventing dryness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances flavor depth with a warm, aromatic touch.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Little bursts of chocolate that melt perfectly inside every bite.
- Red and green sprinkles (optional): Adds festive color and crunch to brighten up the cookies.
- Mini marshmallows or holiday-themed candy decorations (optional): Perfect for topping, these cute accents turn the cookies from tasty to truly magical.
How to Make Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper — this little step guarantees your cookies release easily and bake evenly. Good prep work makes a huge difference in the final cookie texture!
Step 2: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the dough is smooth and thoroughly combined. This dough won’t be like traditional cookie dough, but trust me, it’s just right for creating those soft, cakey cookies you love.
Step 3: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Sprinkles
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips along with red and green sprinkles if you’re using them. The sprinkles add a burst of color that makes these cookies feel extra special — perfect for the holiday season.
Step 4: Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough evenly spaced about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet. This spacing gives the cookies room to spread slightly while baking without merging together.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Soft
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges—they should turn a lovely golden hue while the centers remain soft to the touch. This contrast is what makes these cookies so wonderfully tender.
Step 6: Cool and Decorate
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, top with mini marshmallows or holiday-themed candies for an adorable finishing touch that screams festive cheer.
How to Serve Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding festive garnishes like colorful sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or holiday-themed candy canes gives these cookies an extra playful and seasonal appearance. These simple touches not only make them more appealing but add a little holiday magic to each bite.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cozy glass of milk, rich hot chocolate, or your favorite holiday coffee. The warmth and creaminess beautifully complement the soft, chocolaty sweetness of the cookies, creating a perfect snack or dessert combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifting, arrange your Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe on a festive platter lined with holiday-themed napkins or tissue paper. Wrapping a batch in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon makes for an irresistible homemade gift that everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your cookies have cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to 4 days, so you can enjoy them well after you bake.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these tasty cookies in advance, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag. Thaw them overnight at room temperature, and you’ll have holiday joy ready whenever you want it, without sacrificing any flavor or texture.
Reheating
To refresh that just-baked warmth, pop leftover cookies into a microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a preheated oven. It brings back the softness and highlights the melty chocolate for a cozy treat.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix instead of yellow?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix gives a classic flavor and soft base, you can experiment with white or even spice cake mixes for a unique twist. Just keep in mind the flavor will subtly change.
Are these cookies suitable for making ahead of holiday parties?
Yes! They store well and even freeze nicely, making them an ideal make-ahead option. Just decorate them closer to party time for best freshness.
Can I substitute the vegetable oil with butter?
While vegetable oil keeps these cookies extra moist and soft, melted butter can add richness and flavor. Expect a slightly different texture but delicious results nonetheless.
What’s the best way to keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and avoid overbaking by keeping a close eye on the edges. Adding a slice of bread to the container also helps retain moisture.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or even dried cranberries can be folded in for extra flavor and texture. Just adjust quantities so the dough isn’t overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about baking and sharing the Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe during the holiday season. It’s simple, quick, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that fills your kitchen with festive aromas and your heart with warmth. Give this recipe a try and watch how these charming cookies bring smiles to your table and sweet magic to your celebrations!
Print
Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Santa Cookies are a quick and festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Using yellow cake mix as a base, these soft, chewy cookies are loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and festive sprinkles. They bake up golden around the edges while staying soft in the center, and can be decorated with mini marshmallows or holiday candy to resemble Santa hats, adding a playful and delicious touch to your holiday dessert spread.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles (optional)
- Mini marshmallows or holiday-themed candy decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure non-stick baking and easy cleanup.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend together the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Add Mix-ins: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips and, if using, the red and green sprinkles into the batter, making sure they are evenly distributed.
- Portion Dough: Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until the cookie edges turn golden brown while the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, optionally adorn the cookies with mini marshmallows or holiday-themed candies on top for a festive, Santa-inspired look.
Notes
- Do not overbake to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Feel free to substitute mini chocolate chips if desired.
- Decorations are optional but add a festive holiday touch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
