Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
The holiday season brings joy, laughter, and a lot of delicious treats! One of the easiest and most delightful treats to make during this festive time is Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies. These cookies are not only quick to prepare, but they are also a sure way to share love and cheer with family and friends. With just a few ingredients and a simple process, you can create delightful cookies that taste like they came straight out of a bakery. Let’s explore this delightful recipe together!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are many reasons to love Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies. First, they are incredibly simple to make. With only five ingredients, you can whip these cookies up in no time. If you’re busy during the holidays—whether it’s shopping, decorating, or preparing for gatherings—this recipe will save you time without sacrificing flavor.
Secondly, these cookies are super versatile. You can add your favorite mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits. This means you can customize the cookies to suit your personal taste or even to match your holiday theme.
Lastly, the chocolate flavor is rich and satisfying. These cookies are soft, chewy, and perfect for sharing. Whether you serve them at a holiday party or leave them out for Santa, everyone will love them!
How to Prepare Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
Now that you’re excited about this delicious recipe, let’s dive into how to prepare these tasty cookies. Follow the steps below, and you’ll have a wonderful batch of holiday cookies in no time!
Ingredients:
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is essential so that your cookies bake evenly.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, pour the box of chocolate cake mix. Make sure to break up any lumps with a spoon or spatula.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the vegetable oil, large eggs, and vanilla extract to the cake mix. Mix everything together until you have a smooth dough. You can use a whisk or a hand mixer for this step to make sure everything is well combined.
Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have time, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to handle and help the cookies maintain their shape when baking.
Form the Cookies: Once the dough is ready, use a small cookie scoop or your hands to form balls of dough (about 1 inch in size). Roll each ball in powdered sugar until they are fully coated.
Place on Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the powdered sugar-coated dough balls on the baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes. The cookies should look soft and slightly puffy. They will continue to bake after they are removed from the oven, so don’t overbake them.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
These cookies are perfect for any festive occasion. You can serve them as part of a dessert spread during holiday gatherings or package them nicely in a holiday tin to give as gifts. They pair wonderfully with a glass of milk or a warm cup of cocoa. You can even serve them alongside other holiday treats for a fun cookie platter that everyone can enjoy.
If you want to create a festive presentation, consider decorating the cookies with icing or sprinkles. You can use red and green sprinkles for a classic Christmas look!
How to Store Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
Storing your cookies properly will help keep them fresh and tasty. Here are some tips:
Cool Completely: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before storing them. If you store warm cookies, they may become soggy.
Airtight Container: Place your cookies in an airtight container. This will help keep them soft and prevent them from going stale.
Countertop Storage: Store the cookies at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them for a longer period, consider freezing them.
Freezing: To freeze your cookies, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper in between layers. They will last for up to three months in the freezer. When you want to eat them, just let them thaw at room temperature.
Tips for Preparing Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
Don’t Overmix: When mixing your ingredients, be careful not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can result in tougher cookies.
Use a Cookie Scoop: Using a cookie scoop will help you get evenly sized cookies that will bake uniformly.
Experiment with Mix-ins: Have fun experimenting! You can add chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even crushed candy canes for a festive twist.
Adjust Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies while they bake. Each oven is different, so you may need to adjust the baking time slightly.
Use High-Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality chocolate cake mix and vanilla extract can make a big difference in the flavor of your cookies.
Variation
While the classic Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are delightful on their own, you can easily customize them. Here are a few variations to consider:
Peppermint Twist: Add crushed peppermint candies to the cookie dough for a refreshing holiday flavor.
Nutty Addition: Mix in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch and flavor.
Chocolate Chip Delight: Stir in semi-sweet chocolate chips or white chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey treat.
Coconut Bliss: Add shredded coconut to the dough for a tropical twist.
Feel free to get creative and come up with your own flavors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! You can use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix to make these cookies gluten-free. Just ensure that all your ingredients are gluten-free as well.Can I add frosting on top?
Absolutely! These cookies can be frosted with your favorite chocolate or vanilla frosting. Just let them cool completely before adding frosting.How can I make these cookies more festive?
You can top the cookies with festive sprinkles or drizzle them with melted chocolate. Using holiday-themed cookie cutters to shape the dough before baking is another great idea!What should I do if my cookies spread too much?
If your cookies spread during baking, try chilling the dough for a longer time before baking. This step helps the cookies maintain their shape.Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough! Just roll it into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
With these tips and variations in mind, you are now ready to make the perfect batch of Chocolate Cake Mix Christmas Cookies! Enjoy creating these delicious treats, and may they bring joy to your holiday celebrations!
