Nothing says Christmas like a plate of freshly baked cookies, and these Christmas Crinkle Cookies are as festive as they come. Bright red and green, with a crackled powdered sugar coating, these cookies are both visually stunning and absolutely delicious. Made with just a handful of ingredients—including a box of white cake mix—this recipe is as easy as it gets.

Whether you’re looking to add some holiday cheer to your cookie platter, host a festive baking day, or whip up a quick treat for unexpected guests, Christmas Crinkle Cookies have you covered. They’re fun for kids to help make and are guaranteed to bring smiles to anyone who sees (and tastes) them.

Why I Love This Recipe

I first made these cookies a few years ago as part of a cookie swap with friends, and they instantly became a favorite. The vibrant colors are perfect for the season, and the powdered sugar coating gives them a snow-kissed appearance that’s pure Christmas magic. Plus, using a cake mix as the base means the dough comes together in minutes, leaving more time to enjoy the holidays.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Crinkle Cookies

1. Super Easy to Make

Starting with a box of white cake mix simplifies the process. You only need a few additional pantry staples to whip up these cookies.

2. Festive and Fun

The bright red and green colors scream holiday cheer, while the powdered sugar gives a snowy, crackled effect.

3. Perfect for Sharing

This recipe yields plenty of cookies, making it great for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or holiday parties.

4. Kid-Friendly

Kids will love helping with every step, from mixing the dough to rolling the cookies in powdered sugar.

5. Soft and Chewy Texture

These cookies are perfectly soft and chewy, with a slight crispness around the edges.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these colorful and festive cookies:

1 box white cake mix: Forms the base of the cookie dough, making it quick and foolproof.
2 eggs: Add structure and moisture to the cookies.
1 teaspoon vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor.
⅓ cup vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies soft and moist.
Red and green food coloring gel: Creates the vibrant holiday colors.
⅓ cup powdered sugar: Coats the cookies for a snowy, crinkle effect.

Preparation Time and Yield

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling time)
Cook Time: 9–11 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: About 24 cookies

Step-by-Step Instructions

1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking.

2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vanilla, and vegetable oil. Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated and a sticky dough forms.

3: Divide and Color

Divide the dough into two equal portions and place each in a small bowl.
Add a few drops of red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other.
Mix each portion until the colors are fully incorporated. You can use a spoon or your hands for this step.

4: Chill the Dough

Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and helps create fluffier cookies.

5: Roll and Coat

Use a tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a ball.
- Pro Tip: If the dough feels too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour to the dough and mix it in.
Roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

6: Bake

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9–11 minutes, or until the tops are crackled and the edges are just set.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1–2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve

These cookies are as versatile as they are delicious. Here are a few ways to serve them:

Cookie Platters: Arrange alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and peppermint bark for a festive display.
Gift Boxes: Pack them in holiday tins or boxes lined with parchment paper for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
With Hot Cocoa: Serve with a steaming mug of hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy treat.
Dessert Table: Add them to your Christmas dessert spread for a pop of color and cheer.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Crinkle Cookies

Chill the Dough: Chilling is essential to make the dough easier to handle and to help the cookies bake up fluffy.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel coloring is more concentrated than liquid, giving you vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Coat Generously: Roll the dough balls in plenty of powdered sugar to ensure a dramatic crinkle effect.
Store Properly: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness.

Recipe Variations

Different Colors: Use other colors, like blue and white, for winter-themed cookies or pink and purple for Valentine’s Day.
Flavor Twist: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough for a minty variation.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free cake mix to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Double the Crinkle: Roll the dough in granulated sugar before coating in powdered sugar for extra texture.

Storage and Freezing

Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

FAQ

Q: Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
A: Yes, but you’ll need more drops to achieve the same vibrant colors, and the dough may become slightly softer.

Q: Why didn’t my cookies crinkle as much?
A: Make sure to roll the dough generously in powdered sugar, and don’t skip the chilling step.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.

Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
A: Yes, portion the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Roll in powdered sugar just before baking.

Conclusion

Christmas Crinkle Cookies are a must-have for your holiday baking list. They’re festive, delicious, and incredibly easy to make, thanks to the shortcut of using a cake mix. Whether you’re baking with family, preparing for a cookie exchange, or simply treating yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to bring a little extra joy to your holiday season.

So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to bake some holiday magic. Don’t forget to share your creations—tag me on social media so I can see your colorful, crinkly masterpieces!

Christmas Crinkle Cookies: Festive, Fun, and Easy to Make

Author: TAYLOR HARRISON
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Soft and chewy cookies with a vibrant red and green color, coated in powdered sugar for a snowy, crinkle effect. Perfect for the holidays!

Ingredients

Scale

1 box white cake mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
⅓ cup vegetable oil
Red and green food coloring gel
⅓ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine cake mix, eggs, vanilla, and oil in a bowl to form a sticky dough.
Divide the dough into two bowls and color one red and the other green.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes, then roll into balls.
Coat the dough balls in powdered sugar and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake for 9–11 minutes, cool slightly, and transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 9–11 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American