Delicious 5-Ingredient Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies: Your Ultimate Guide to Soft, Chewy, and Festive Treats
Craving a delightful, chewy, and irresistibly soft cookie that practically bakes itself? Look no further than these incredible funfetti cake mix cookies! Crafted with a mere five ingredients, starting with a simple box of cake mix, they’re an absolute breeze to whip up. Each bite offers a burst of vibrant color from the rainbow sprinkles, making them the perfect centerpiece for any celebration, big or small. Forget complicated baking – these cookies deliver maximum flavor and festive cheer with minimal effort, transforming an ordinary pantry staple into an extraordinary treat.
Why This Simple Funfetti Cookie Recipe Will Be Your New Favorite
Funfetti cake has long been a cherished symbol of celebration, gracing tables at birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and countless joyous occasions. Its whimsical sprinkles and sweet vanilla flavor evoke instant happiness. But what if you could capture that same celebratory essence in a convenient, portable, and incredibly easy-to-make cookie? That’s precisely why this funfetti cake mix cookie recipe is a game-changer.
This recipe shines for its remarkable simplicity and speed. When that extra box of cake mix sits in your pantry, perhaps forgotten after a baking spree, it’s an open invitation to create these delightful cookies. You don’t need a special reason to celebrate; the sheer joy of baking something so effortlessly delicious is reason enough! They offer the best of both worlds: the rich, moist texture of a cake combined with the satisfying chewiness of a classic cookie.
Beyond its ease, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can optionally top these vibrant cookies with a smooth vanilla frosting, mimicking our beloved confetti cake mix cookies, then adorn them with extra sprinkles for an even more dazzling presentation. The result? A perfectly poppable and portable treat that tastes just like a slice of funfetti cake, cleverly disguised in cookie form. They’re ideal for bake sales, party platters, lunchbox surprises, or simply a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
Key Ingredients for Your Easy Funfetti Cookies
Gathering your ingredients for these delightful cookies couldn’t be simpler. You’ll find all the precise measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located towards the end of this post. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to create these soft, chewy, and colorful treats.
Ingredient Spotlight & Expert Tips for Best Results
Understanding the role of each ingredient will help you achieve the perfect funfetti cake mix cookie every time and even inspire confident substitutions if needed.
CAKE MIX – The foundation of our easy cookie recipe is a standard 15.25-ounce box of funfetti cake mix. Look for the kind that typically calls for vegetable oil, eggs, and water. However, a crucial tip for these cookies is that you will not need the water. Instead, we’re replacing it with sour cream, which contributes significantly to the cookies’ ultra-moist and tender texture. Always refer to our specific ingredient list in the recipe card for precise quantities of oil, eggs, and sour cream, as they deviate from the cake mix box instructions. While funfetti is classic, feel free to experiment with other cake mix flavors like vanilla, yellow, or even chocolate for different variations!
SPRINKLES – For that signature vibrant look without any color bleed, rainbow jimmies are undeniably the best choice. Unlike nonpareils or sanding sugars, jimmies are less prone to dissolving or bleeding their colors into wet batters, ensuring your cookies retain their beautiful, distinct rainbow dots. This holds true whether you’re baking cupcakes, cakes, or cookies. If you can’t find rainbow jimmies, you can use similar opaque, elongated sprinkles. Avoid those tiny, crunchy round ones as they tend to melt and bleed, turning your dough into a muddy color rather than a confetti explosion.
SOUR CREAM – This is the secret ingredient for exceptionally moist and tender cookies! Sour cream adds a delightful tang and, more importantly, a rich moisture content that prevents the cookies from becoming dry or crumbly. It contributes to their soft, cake-like interior while maintaining a satisfying chew. If you don’t have sour cream on hand, full-fat plain Greek yogurt or even buttermilk (reduce the quantity slightly) can be used as a substitute, though the texture might vary slightly.
VEGETABLE OIL & EGGS – The vegetable oil provides essential fat and moisture, ensuring the cookies stay soft and preventing them from drying out during baking. It also contributes to the chewy texture. The eggs act as a binder, holding all the ingredients together, and add richness and structure to the cookies, helping them puff up nicely. Using large eggs is generally recommended for consistent results in baking.
Simple Steps to Bake Perfect Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to guide you visually through the process of making this incredibly easy recipe. For a complete printable version, including all measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct, consistent temperature when the cookies go in, which is crucial for even baking.
- Mix the Dough: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the funfetti cake mix, vegetable oil, large eggs, and sour cream. Stir these ingredients together thoroughly until they are completely combined and form a smooth, uniform dough. The mixture will be thick. Once the base dough is ready, gently fold in the rainbow jimmies until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as it can sometimes lead to tougher cookies.
- Scoop and Arrange: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Using a cookie dough scoop or a regular tablespoon, drop rounded mounds of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. We found that 2-tablespoon size cookies yield a perfect chewy-soft texture. Ensure there’s enough space between each dough ball for them to spread slightly during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake the cookies for approximately 11 minutes. They are ready when they appear puffed and set, with a slight golden hue around the edges. Avoid overbaking, as this can make the cookies dry. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Cooling Process: Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes. This brief cooling period helps them firm up, preventing them from breaking when transferred. After this initial cooling, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy the enticing aroma as they finish cooling!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Baking Tips
Proper storage is key to keeping your funfetti cake mix cookies fresh and delicious. Once completely cooled, store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully soft, chewy, and flavorful for 4-5 days. For optimal freshness, you can also place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the bread helps to absorb moisture and keep the cookies soft.
Absolutely! Freezing cake mix cookies, either as dough or after baking, is a fantastic way to enjoy them later.
To freeze the dough: Scoop the cookie dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flash freeze until they are solid (this prevents them from sticking together). Once solid, transfer the dough balls to a large freezer-safe ziptop bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
To freeze baked cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a large ziptop bag or an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick treat.
Yes, preparing the cookie dough in advance is a great time-saver! After mixing the dough, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to a day. You can even go a step further and shape the dough into individual balls before chilling. This way, they’ll be perfectly prepped and ready to pop into the oven whenever a cookie craving strikes, offering fresh-baked goodness on demand.
If your cookies are spreading more than desired, a few factors could be at play. The dough might be too warm (try chilling it for 15-30 minutes before baking), your oven temperature might be inconsistent (an oven thermometer is a great tool!), or you might have slightly too much oil. Ensure your baking sheets aren’t too hot when adding new dough, and avoid greasing parchment paper, as the added fat can contribute to spreading.
Absolutely! While the rainbow jimmies are classic, feel free to get creative. White chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, or even a different color of sprinkles (like seasonal ones for holidays) would be delicious additions. Just be mindful not to add too many extra ingredients, as it can affect the cookie’s structure and baking time. About 1/2 cup of additional mix-ins should work well.
Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Funfetti Cookies
These funfetti cake mix cookies are undeniably delicious on their own, a vibrant treat that needs no embellishment. However, for an even sweeter presentation and an extra layer of flavor, consider drizzling them with a simple powdered sugar glaze. A basic glaze made from powdered sugar, a touch of milk, and a splash of vanilla extract can elevate their appeal. You can also sprinkle a few extra rainbow jimmies on top of the glaze before it sets to add even more festive color and texture. For a truly decadent experience, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee. They make a fantastic addition to any dessert table or a thoughtful homemade gift.
Explore More Easy Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
If you love the convenience and deliciousness of these cake mix cookies, you’re in for a treat! The world of cake mix baking is vast and wonderful. Here are some more fantastic cake mix cookie recipes to add to your repertoire:
- Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Carrot Cake Mix Cookies
- Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
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Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce funfetti cake mix
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup rainbow jimmie sprinkles
Things You’ll Need
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Mixing bowls
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Cookie scoop 2 Tablespoon size
Before You Begin
- We made 2 Tablespoon sized cookies, if you make them smaller they will likely need less time in the oven.
- You’ll need a standard 15.25 ounce box of funfetti cake mix, the kind that uses vegetable oil, eggs, and water. However, you will not need the water for these cookies. Please follow the ingredients we have provided in the recipe card as you’ll be using sour cream in addition to the vegetable oil and eggs.
- Rainbow jimmies are the best kind of sprinkle to use as they don’t tend to bleed their color when met with wet batter.
- Store cookies in an air-tight container kept at room temperature for 4-5 days.
- To freeze the dough, place the dough balls on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid. Transfer the solid dough balls to a large ziptop bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To freeze baked cake mix cookies, store in a large ziptop bag or air-tight container kept in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- You can prepare the cookie dough, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator up to a day in advance. You can even shape the dough into balls so they are ready to pop into the oven when you’re ready.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix, oil, eggs, and sour cream until fully combined. Fold in rainbow jimmies until evenly distributed.
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Use a cookie dough scoop or tablespoon to drop the cookie dough in mounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (We made 2 tablespoon size cookies.)
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Bake cookies for 11 minutes, until puffed and set.
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Allow cookies to cool for 1-2 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.