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Years ago, I stumbled on this easy holiday cookie hack and now I swear by it every single Christmas. You only need five simple things to whip them up, and they're seriously so speedy to make. My grandkids jump in every time and now it’s just what we do together. The coolest part? They totally save the day for last-minute parties or if surprise visitors ring the bell.
Unstoppable Cookie Magic
What I love most is how they make everyone smile without any hassle. I still can’t believe something this easy gets so many cheers. Popping in the red and green candies makes them pop on your holiday table too. Nothing beats seeing the whole crew light up when we pull these from the oven.
Things You'll Need
- M&M’s Candies: Red and green look festive, but if you’ve only got chocolate chips, that’s fine too.
- Eggs: This is how the cookies keep their shape and hold together.
- Cake Mix: Go for Devil’s Food or your favorite chocolate mix.
- Vanilla Extract: A dash adds awesome flavor.
- Vegetable Oil: Helps get that chewy, soft middle.
Cheerful Cookie Time
- Bake and Cool:
- Slide into the oven for about 9 to 11 minutes. After a quick rest on the tray, finish cooling on a rack.
- Shape Cookies:
- Roll the dough into one-inch balls and drop them onto a plain baking sheet.
- Fold in Candies:
- Toss in those M&Ms gently so they’re mixed all the way through.
- Mix Dough:
- Dump your cake mix, eggs, vanilla, and oil into a bowl. Stir until you’ve got some thick dough.
- Preheat Oven:
- First, set your oven to 350 degrees so it’s ready to go.
Staying Fresh and Soft
Pop these into an airtight tub and they’ll taste fab for about four days on the counter. My grandma’s trick is to throw in a slice of bread to keep them nice and soft. Tuck them in the fridge and they’ll be good for a week, if there’s any left! When I think ahead, I freeze dough or baked cookies and they’re still yummy three months later.
Tried-And-True Cookie Tips
Make sure to use just the cake mix straight from the box, not the instructions for making cake. Try to roll your cookies the same size so they bake up just right. I switch it up with crushed candy canes, chocolate morsels, toasted pecans, toffee chunks, or even peppermint bits. My family’s always excited to see what combo we come up with each season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why skip following the box instructions?
These aren't cakes! The egg and oil portions are different to get the right cookie texture.
- → Does the specific cake mix matter?
Any chocolate mix works great, but devil's food gives bolder flavor. Just match the box size.
- → Why don’t these need extra flour?
Cake mix already includes it. Eggs and oil transform it into cookie dough.
- → Can I prep the dough in advance?
Sure! Refrigerate for up to 3 days in a sealed wrap. Let it warm slightly for easier scooping.
- → Why leave them on the pan to cool?
Hot cookies are fragile. A few minutes on the baking sheet lets them firm up to move safely.