Valentine’s Day cake mix cookies are a quick, festive treat made with just a few simple ingredients. Soft, chewy, and bursting with fun Valentine’s colors, these cookies are perfect for celebrating love with family, friends, or that special someone.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: Made with a boxed cake mix, these cookies are foolproof and come together in no time.
- Soft and Chewy: The cake mix ensures a perfect, tender texture.
- Festive and Fun: Customizable with sprinkles, candy, or chocolate in Valentine’s Day colors.
- Great for Sharing: Makes a large batch, perfect for gifting or parties.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boxed cake mix (strawberry, red velvet, or vanilla work great)
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Valentine’s-themed sprinkles or M&Ms (optional)
- White or semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir until a smooth dough forms.
- If desired, fold in sprinkles, M&Ms, or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
- Shape the Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked. The cookies will appear soft but will firm up as they cool.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Add more sprinkles or drizzle with melted chocolate for decoration if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 24 cookies.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Red Velvet Cookies: Use red velvet cake mix for a deep red color and classic flavor.
- Chocolate Valentine’s Cookies: Use chocolate cake mix and add white chocolate chips.
- Heart Shapes: Flatten the dough slightly and shape into hearts before baking.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free cake mix for a gluten-free version.
- Pink Drizzle: Drizzle melted pink candy melts over the cooled cookies for extra flair.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Serve at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.
FAQs
1. Can I use any flavor of cake mix?
Yes, any flavor works, but strawberry, red velvet, or chocolate are especially festive for Valentine’s Day.
2. How do I make the cookies less sweet?
Use a less-sweet cake mix or skip adding chocolate chips and candy.
3. Can I add frosting?
Yes, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting or buttercream on the cooled cookies for extra indulgence.
4. Why is my dough sticky?
Cake mix dough can be sticky. Chill it for 15-20 minutes if it’s too difficult to handle.
5. Can I make these cookies egg-free?
Yes, use a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) as a substitute.
6. Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Yes, you can intensify the color by adding gel food coloring to match the Valentine’s theme.
7. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking to help the cookies hold their shape.
8. Can I make mini cookies?
Absolutely! Use a smaller scoop and adjust the baking time to 6-8 minutes.
9. What’s the best way to gift these cookies?
Package them in cellophane bags or small tins with a festive Valentine’s ribbon or tag.
10. Can I mix multiple cake mixes?
Yes, combining flavors like chocolate and strawberry can create fun and unique cookies.
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day cake mix cookies are the ultimate quick and easy treat to celebrate the season of love. With minimal ingredients and endless customization options, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to share. Bake up a batch and spread the love with this festive, crowd-pleasing dessert!
PrintValentine’s Day Cake Mix Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Valentine’s Day Cake Mix Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with festive colors! Made with a simple boxed cake mix, they’re quick to whip up and perfect for spreading love on this special day.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz/432g) vanilla or white cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/2 cup (75g) Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles
- 1/2 cup (75g) Valentine’s M&M’s or chocolate candies
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract (if using). Stir until a soft dough forms.
- Gently fold in the sprinkles and M&M’s, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Flatten slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon.
- Bake:
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Do not overbake.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve:
- Enjoy as is, or package them in festive bags or boxes for gifting!
Notes
- Use red velvet or strawberry cake mix for a Valentine’s Day twist.
- Add a drizzle of melted white chocolate or pink icing for extra flair.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.