There’s something downright magical about transforming a classic red velvet cake mix into vibrant, chewy cookies. This Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is a delightful spin that brings all the rich, velvety flavors into a handheld treat — perfect for any sweet craving or unexpected guests.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe quickly became one of my favorites because it’s wonderfully simple yet so indulgent. I love how the cream cheese adds a velvety richness, making these cookies feel special without extra fuss.
- Speedy and easy: You whip these up in minutes using just a box mix and a few ingredients you probably have on hand.
- Perfect texture: The cookies come out soft and chewy, with just the right amount of fudgy crinkles.
- Fun to make: Rolling them in powdered sugar creates a lovely, classic crackle effect that’s so satisfying to see.
- Great for sharing: These cookies travel well and make a charming gift or party treat everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe plays a role in making these cookies taste like a little bite of heaven. The cake mix provides the signature flavor and color, while the cream cheese adds moisture and richness that keep the cookies soft.
- Red velvet cake mix: This is your base — it packs that iconic cocoa and tangy vibe plus the gorgeous red color.
- Eggs: They bind everything together and help create that chewy texture you'll love.
- Whipped cream cheese spread: I prefer the spread for its smoothness and easy mixing, but regular cream cheese works too; it adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: Rolling the dough in powdered sugar before baking gives that classic crackled appearance and a sweet finish on the outside.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe by adding a few personal touches. Feel free to customize the cookies to suit your taste or occasion.
- Add-ins: Sometimes I stir in mini white chocolate chips or chopped pecans for an extra texture that pumps up the flavor even more.
- Frosted finish: For parties, brushing the tops with a cream cheese glaze adds a fancy touch that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Dietary swap: I’ve tried the recipe with dairy-free cream cheese and it still turns out wonderfully soft—you just might want to chill the dough a bit longer before baking.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
First, I preheat my oven to 350°F and line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper. This little prep step keeps the cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly. Parchment is my baking buddy — it makes cleanup a breeze!
Step 2: Whip up the dough
Using a stand or hand mixer, blend the red velvet cake mix, eggs, and whipped cream cheese spread together. I like to beat it for about 1-2 minutes until I get a soft, sticky dough that looks uniform. If your cream cheese isn’t at room temperature, take a moment to warm it up—trust me, it mixes so much better that way!
Step 3: Coat and roll
Pour powdered sugar into a shallow bowl, then scoop out about 1½ tablespoons of dough at a time. I roll each ball generously in the sugar so they get that beautiful crackled look as they bake. Place them about 1-2 inches apart on your pans to give room for spreading.
Step 4: Bake and cool
Bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes. I keep a close eye toward the end — you want the edges to be set but the centers still soft. Let them cool on the pans for 3-5 minutes before moving to a wire rack. These cookies are almost better warm, so don’t be shy to try one fresh from the oven!
Top Tip
From my own baking adventures, these tips have saved me time and helped perfect the outcome of every batch of Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe I make.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: I always let my cream cheese sit out for about 30 minutes before mixing—it blends so much smoother, preventing lumps in the dough.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies out just as the edges set. I learned this the hard way—I overbaked and lost that irresistibly soft middle I adore.
- Cookie Scoop Consistency: Using a cookie scoop keeps your dough balls uniform so baking is even, which means no cookies getting overly crispy while others stay doughy.
- Generous Coating: Rolling the dough balls liberally in powdered sugar creates the iconic crinkle look plus adds an extra layer of sweetness on the outside.
How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving to highlight those pretty crinkles. Sometimes, I’ll add a small dollop of cream cheese frosting on top for an extra indulgent bite — it plays so well off the red velvet flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk or a creamy chai latte. For a festive touch, try serving with fresh strawberries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream during warmer months.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve brought these to holiday gatherings, I arrange them on a tiered tray with a few sprigs of fresh mint and some edible flowers. It feels fancy but is easy to pull together! Or stack them in clear jars with ribbons for cute gift-giving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, I keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. Just be sure to cover the container well so the cookies don’t dry out—trust me, a little exposed air makes a big difference in texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these cookies successfully by placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe box. They last up to 3 months frozen. When it’s time to enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature—they might firm up slightly but still stay deliciously soft inside.
Reheating
To warm leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, which softens them beautifully without drying them out. It’s like bringing fresh-baked magic back to life!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Regular cream cheese works just fine. Just make sure it’s softened to room temperature before mixing to get a smooth cookie dough texture.
Look for cookies with edges that are set and just slightly firm, while the centers remain soft. They will continue to firm up once cooled, so avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover it tightly and chill in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar and bake as usual.
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. Cover them well to prevent drying. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container and thaw before enjoying.
Final Thoughts
This Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is one of those quick pleasures I return to time and again. They’re a simple way to bring vibrant color and rich flavor into your day without any complicated steps. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do — every bite is a little celebration of comfort and sweetness.
Print
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these easy and irresistibly soft Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies, made with a classic red velvet cake mix, cream cheese spread, and coated in powdered sugar for a sweet, crinkled finish. Perfect for a quick treat or sharing at your next gathering.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 15.25 ounce box red velvet cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whipped cream cheese spread
Coating
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 half sheet baking pans with parchment paper to ensure non-stick baking and easy cleanup.
- Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use a stand or hand mixer to beat together the red velvet cake mix, eggs, and whipped cream cheese spread for 1-2 minutes until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Prepare Coating: Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl ready for rolling the cookie dough balls.
- Form Cookies: Using a 1 ½ Tablespoon cookie scoop, drop balls of dough directly into the powdered sugar, coat thoroughly, then roll into an even ball to achieve a crackled sugary exterior.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sugared cookie dough balls about 1-2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 11 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack or serving warm for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Store cookies at room temperature in a covered container for 3-5 days to maintain softness.
- For longer storage, refrigerate cookies up to 1 week in an airtight container.
- Reheat cookies in the microwave for a few seconds to soften and refresh their texture.
- Freeze cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; thaw before eating, noting cookies may become slightly firmer.
- Prepare dough up to 24 hours in advance; keep refrigerated and covered tightly, then roll in powdered sugar just before baking.
- Use room temperature cream cheese spread for smoother mixing and better dough texture.
- Generously roll cookies in powdered sugar to achieve a beautiful crinkled look.
- Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniformly sized cookies for even baking.
- Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and tender inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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