Description
These easy crinkle cookies use just 4 ingredients including cake mix for bakery-quality results in 20 minutes. No chilling required! Soft, chewy centers with signature crackled powdered sugar coating make these perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (any flavor – chocolate, red velvet, lemon, vanilla)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) for coating
Optional: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar for pre-rolling
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract with wooden spoon until just combined and dough forms.
3. Let dough rest for 2-3 minutes to absorb moisture.
4. Place powdered sugar in shallow bowl for coating.
5. Using 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion dough and roll into smooth balls between palms.
6. Optional: Roll dough balls in granulated sugar first for extra crackle effect.
7. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until completely coated.
8. Place coated dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked and cracks have formed.
10. Do not overbake—cookies should appear puffed with visible cracks.
11. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes to set.
12. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely for about 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature eggs for better mixing and texture.
Don’t overbake—slightly underdone cookies stay soft and chewy.
Coat generously with powdered sugar; if first coating absorbs, roll again in fresh sugar.
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months or freeze coated dough balls for up to 2 months; bake from frozen adding 1-2 extra minutes.
Space cookies 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
For intense chocolate flavor, add 1 teaspoon espresso powder to chocolate cake mix varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: crinkle cookies, cake mix cookies, easy cookies, 4 ingredient cookies, no chill cookies, powdered sugar cookies