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Delightful Christmas Cake Batter Cookies: Your Ultimate Holiday Baking Guide

These Christmas Cake batter cookies are a fantastic “monster cookie” variation with a festive holiday twist. Incredibly easy to make, this recipe is perfect for getting kids involved in the holiday baking fun!

Combining the irresistible flavors of cake batter with the fun of colorful sprinkles and the comforting chewiness of a perfect cookie, this recipe is truly a winning combination. If you’re looking to enjoy these delightful treats outside of the holiday season, simply swap out the red and green sprinkles for any regular colorful variety, and you’ll have a year-round favorite. Get ready to bake some joy!

Christmas cookie batter being scooped up in a small round metal cookie scoop, showing red and green sprinkles within the dough.

Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

These Christmas Cake Batter Cookies are an absolute hit at every holiday party, bringing smiles and festive cheer with every bite.

Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars from 1 vote.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 2 hrs

Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups french vanilla boxed cake mix
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup sprinkles (red and green for Christmas)

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine and sift together the all-purpose flour, French vanilla cake mix, and baking soda. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and ensures your dry ingredients are well-aerated and evenly combined, leading to a lighter, more consistent cookie texture. Set this dry mixture aside.
Using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter with both the granulated sugar and light brown sugar on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, which is crucial for soft, chewy cookies. Next, add the single egg and mix on high speed for approximately 1 minute until it’s fully incorporated. Remember to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Finally, add the vanilla extract and beat on high until just combined.
Gradually add the prepared flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on a low to medium speed until the ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tough cookies. Once the flour mixture is mostly incorporated, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles. Mix on low speed for just a few seconds until these delightful add-ins are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Cover the cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, or up to 3-4 days. This chilling step is absolutely mandatory for these cookies. The dough is quite sticky, and chilling it helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring they maintain their shape and a delightful chewiness. If you plan to chill the dough for longer than 2 hours, it’s a good idea to roll the dough into individual balls after the initial 2-hour chilling period. Place these dough balls on a plate, cover them tightly, and return them to the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. You can also freeze these dough balls for up to 3 months; simply bake them as directed from frozen, adding about 1 minute to the baking time without thawing.
Once your cookie dough has been adequately chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two large cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
Using a cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie), scoop rounded balls of the cold dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space them adequately apart as they will spread slightly. It’s important to work with chilled dough; if you’re baking in batches, remember to keep the remaining dough in the refrigerator to maintain its cold temperature.
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers of the cookies will still appear very soft and slightly underbaked when you remove them from the oven; this is perfectly normal. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool, resulting in that perfectly soft and chewy texture.
Allow the freshly baked cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This crucial step allows them to finish setting and become firm enough to handle without breaking. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these festive treats warm or at room temperature!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Christmas Cake Batter Cookies

These aren’t just any ordinary holiday cookies; they’re a delightful twist on a classic, offering a perfect blend of convenience, flavor, and festive charm. Here’s why these Christmas Cake Batter Cookies will become a new favorite in your holiday baking repertoire:

Incredibly Easy to Make: Thanks to the boxed cake mix, these cookies come together with minimal fuss, making them ideal for busy holiday schedules.
Festive & Fun: The vibrant red and green sprinkles instantly scream “Christmas!” and bring a joyful pop of color to your dessert table.
Soft & Chewy Texture: The cake mix contributes to an unbelievably soft and chewy interior, with perfectly crisp edges – a textural dream.
Irresistible Flavor: That distinct, comforting cake batter taste is utterly addictive, appealing to both kids and adults alike.
Kid-Friendly Activity: The simple steps and exciting sprinkles make this an excellent recipe for baking with children, creating cherished holiday memories.
Perfect for Gifting & Parties: Beautifully decorated and delicious, these cookies are ideal for holiday cookie exchanges, gifting to neighbors, or serving at any festive gathering.
Customizable: Easily adapt the flavors and mix-ins to suit your preferences or theme.

The Magic Behind Cake Mix Cookies

Using a boxed cake mix in cookies is a brilliant baking hack that delivers consistent results and saves time without sacrificing flavor or texture. The pre-measured ingredients in the mix, including flour, sugar, leavening agents, and flavorings, provide a reliable base. This simplifies the baking process, ensuring your cookies are moist, soft, and flavorful every single time. It’s the secret to effortlessly delicious cookies!

Essential Tips for Perfect Christmas Cake Batter Cookies

Achieving the perfect batch of these festive cookies is easy with a few key considerations:

Don’t Skip the Chill Time: This is arguably the most critical step. Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too much and ensuring they maintain a thick, chewy texture. It also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Proper Flour Measurement: Always spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can pack too much flour, leading to dry, crumbly cookies.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. Softened butter creams better with sugar, creating a light and airy base, while a room-temperature egg incorporates more smoothly into the batter.
Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in tough, dense cookies.
Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: These prevent sticking and promote even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
Even-Sized Cookies: Using a cookie scoop helps ensure all your cookies are the same size, promoting uniform baking and a professional appearance.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies will appear soft in the center when removed from the oven. This is desired! They will continue to cook and set as they cool on the baking sheet, yielding a perfectly chewy center.

Flavor Variations & Customizations

While the French Vanilla and festive sprinkles are a holiday classic, feel free to get creative with your Christmas Cake Batter Cookies:

Different Cake Mix Flavors: Try a red velvet cake mix for a rich, deep red cookie, a chocolate cake mix for a double chocolate delight, or even a funfetti mix for an extra sprinkle explosion. Lemon or strawberry cake mixes could offer a bright, unexpected twist.
Alternative Chocolate Chips: Swap semi-sweet and white chocolate chips for milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peppermint chips for an extra holiday kick. Mini M&Ms (red and green!) also make a fantastic addition.
Other Mix-ins: Consider adding chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), dried cranberries, shredded coconut, or even broken candy cane pieces for a minty crunch.
Add a Glaze or Frosting: A simple powdered sugar glaze with a hint of vanilla or almond extract, or a swirl of cream cheese frosting, can elevate these cookies even further. Drizzle with melted white chocolate for an elegant touch.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Proper storage ensures your Christmas Cake Batter Cookies stay fresh and delicious:

Baked Cookies: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. To keep them extra soft, you can place a slice of bread in the container (replace daily).
Cookie Dough: The unbaked dough can be stored tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. As mentioned in the instructions, rolling the dough into balls after 2 hours of chilling and storing them this way is ideal for longer chilling times.
Freezing Cookie Dough Balls: Place scooped cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Transfer the frozen balls to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, place baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?: Absolutely! While French vanilla provides a classic base, feel free to experiment with any boxed cake mix flavor. Chocolate, red velvet, lemon, or even strawberry cake mixes will yield delicious results.
What if I don’t have a stand mixer?: A hand mixer will work perfectly fine for this recipe. Just be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?: The most common reason for excessive spreading is not chilling the dough enough. Ensure you chill the dough for at least 2 hours. Also, make sure your butter isn’t too soft or melted when you start, and accurately measure your flour.
Can I make these gluten-free?: You can often substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour, and ensure your boxed cake mix is also gluten-free. Results may vary slightly in texture.
How far in advance can I make the dough?: The dough can be prepared and kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This makes it a fantastic make-ahead option for holiday baking!
Can kids help with this recipe?: Yes, absolutely! This recipe is very kid-friendly. Children can help with measuring ingredients (especially the sprinkles!), adding the mix-ins, and scooping the dough balls (with supervision). It’s a fun way to involve them in holiday preparations.

Nutrition

Calories: 150 kcal (8% Daily Value)