Festive Box Cookies

Featured in Sweet bites of pure joy.

Make colorful box mix cookies that taste homemade. Yellow cake mix creates soft, tender cookies topped with holiday-colored M&Ms. Crispy on the edges yet gooey in the middle—perfect for holiday gatherings. These cookies are super quick, and vanilla adds an extra hint of sweetness. A few extra M&Ms on top make these treats as pretty as they are tasty. Zero fuss, total success.
alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:14:55 GMT
Plate full of warm cookies topped with red and green candies, ready to enjoy. Pin it
Plate full of warm cookies topped with red and green candies, ready to enjoy. | tasteofsavor.com
Looking for quick holiday treats? Whip up these easy Cake Mix Christmas Cookies. Using a boxed cake mix means you'll spend less time prepping and have more time to hang out with family and friends.

Awesome Reasons to Try These Cookies

When you need something sweet in no time, these are a great pick. Chilling with cake mix makes them doable for everyone—even if you haven't baked before. Toss in red and green M&Ms for that festive pop. They're chewy and stay fresh, so they're awesome for parties or just a casual bite at home.

Stuff You'll Need

  • M&Ms: Grab green and red ones for the holiday vibe
  • Oil: Any kind you like, just use half a cup
  • Eggs: Two eggs, nothing fancy
  • Cake Mix: One box of yellow cake mix

How to Put These Together

Let them cool:
Rest the cookies on the baking rack after 3 minutes.
Bake away:
Pop them in at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes till the edges barely brown.
Decorate more:
Add some shiny M&Ms on top before baking.
Scoop cookies:
Drop dough by spoonfuls onto your baking tray with plenty of room.
Stir in candy:
Gently mix in a cup of M&Ms so they don’t crack up.
Mix it up:
Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs in a bowl till smooth.
Get oven ready:
Set your oven to 350°F before you start mixing.

Easy Mixing with Cake Boxes

Boxed cake mix skips the hard parts. No need to haul out lots of baking supplies—just open up the package and you’re good. You can swap for different cake bases and make every batch new. It’s a breeze that doesn’t let you down.

Which Oil Works Best

Any basic cooking oil does the trick in this dough. It gives you cookies that feel soft and moist. You’ll just taste the candy goodness, not the oil itself. Wanna shake things up? Coconut oil will give a sweet twist.

Switch Up Your Mix-ins

The classic red and green M&Ms look great for Christmas, but it’s cool to mix in anything you like. Chocolate chips, nuts, colored sprinkles—anything goes. Hand out bowls so everyone can pick their favorite add-ins before you start baking. Makes each batch personal.

Tips for Pretty Cookies

Like cookies that look fun and round? Try this little move—right after baking, grab a spatula and gently nudge those rough spots into a perfect circle. Makes them look extra special for sharing or parties.

Keeping Them Great for Days

Let your cookies cool down all the way before stashing them. Seal them in a container with a good lid to lock in softness. Slip wax paper between stacks so they don’t grab onto each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the best cake mix?

Yellow mix is a favorite, but white makes bright, smooth cookies. Want something richer? Chocolate or devil’s food mix works great too. Any box you’ve got at home will do the trick. Each mix gives you about two dozen!

→ Can I add extras?

Totally! Toss in chopped nuts - pecans or walnuts are awesome. Mini chocolate chips, coconut shreds, or a handful of dried cranberries work too. Just don’t go over a cup of extras or the cookies might crumble. Save some M&Ms to decorate the tops!

→ How do I store them?

Once they’re cool, put them in an airtight tin or plastic container. Wax paper between layers helps stop sticking. They’ll stay soft on the counter for up to a week. Don’t stick ’em in the fridge—it makes them go hard! A piece of bread in the container works wonders if they start drying out.

→ Can I prep early?

Make the dough a day or two before and store it in the fridge. Wrap it tight with plastic. Leave it at room temp for 30 minutes before scooping or bake-ready. Roll into balls first if you like. Dough might feel firmer after chilling—totally normal.

→ Are these kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Easy hands-on fun for kiddos. Let ’em press M&Ms on top. The dough’s not sticky so it won’t be messy. Plus, they’re quick to bake! Pick M&M colors for any holiday—red and green for Christmas, pinks for Valentine’s, or orange for Halloween!

Conclusion

Love simple sweets? Check these out too:

  • Colorful Drop Cookies: Mix with other candy or chips
  • Zesty Lemon Squares: Tangy, quick, and delicious
  • Brownie Bites: Just mix and bake for rich squares

Christmas Box Cookies

Fast and fun cookies saved the day!

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
22 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 25 cookies

Dietary: Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup vegetable oil.
02 2 eggs.
03 1 box of yellow cake mix.
04 1 bag of M&Ms in red and green.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350° to preheat.

Step 02

In a large bowl, stir together the oil, eggs, and cake mix until no lumps remain.

Step 03

Gently fold 1 cup of M&Ms into the batter.

Step 04

Spoon batter onto a baking sheet, leaving enough room between each drop.

Step 05

Press some extra M&Ms on each cookie before baking.

Step 06

Pop your cookies in for 10-12 minutes, pulling them out once the edges turn lightly golden.

Step 07

After 3 minutes on the pan, move the cookies to a cooling rack.

Notes

  1. Perfect for bringing to cookie swaps.
  2. Toss in some nuts or a splash of vanilla if you like.

Tools You'll Need

  • An oven.
  • Large mixing bowl.
  • Spoon for mixing.
  • Baking sheet.
  • Rack for cooling.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat.
  • Eggs included.
  • May have soy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 163
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 2 g