Soft and Chewy Cake Batter Christmas Cookies

The holidays always make me want to bake something colorful and fun, and these Soft and Chewy Cake Batter Christmas Cookies fit the bill perfectly. They’ve got that cozy homemade cookie feel with a playful twist from the cake mix and all those bright sprinkles. I love how they come out looking so festive without a ton of effort, like something you’d proudly bring to a party or set out on a Christmas cookie tray.

Sprinkles just make everything better, especially this time of year. The cake batter flavor adds that little extra sweetness that feels like a celebration in every bite. These cookies bake up with soft centers, chewy edges, and a fluffy layer of frosting on top that takes them right over the top. They’re the kind of treat that brings instant smiles and a little holiday magic to anyone who tries them.

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/3 cup flour – the base that gives these cookies their soft structure.

• 1 and 1/4 cup boxed white cake mix – adds that sweet cake batter flavor we all love.

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda – helps the cookies rise just the right amount.

• 1/2 teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness so the flavors really shine.

• 3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature – makes the cookies rich, soft, and chewy.

• 1/2 cup sugar – adds classic sweetness.

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar – gives the cookies a hint of caramel flavor and extra chewiness.

• 1 egg – binds everything together for the perfect cookie dough.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – brings warmth and cozy flavor.

• 1 teaspoon cake batter extract – boosts that cake mix flavor for an extra festive touch.

• 1 cup white chocolate chips – creamy little bursts of sweetness in every bite.

• 1/2 cup Christmas sprinkles, plus more for topping – the fun, colorful holiday sparkle that makes these cookies shine.

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup butter, softened – the creamy base for a smooth, fluffy frosting.

• 4 cups powdered sugar – sweetens the frosting and gives it structure.

• 1 teaspoon cake batter extract – ties the frosting flavor back to the cookies in the most delicious way.

Recipe Instructions

You can find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cake mix, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

3. Add the egg, vanilla, and cake batter extract, mixing until well combined.

4. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated.

5. Fold in the chocolate chips and sprinkles.

6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.

7. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

8. Scoop about 2 ½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie, shaping them into balls that are slightly taller than wide.

9. Bake for 13–15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.

10. The centers should still be soft for chewy cookies.

11. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

12. While cookies cool, prepare the frosting. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy.

13. Mix in the extract, then gradually add the powdered sugar.

14. Beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.

15. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies.

16. Finish with Christmas sprinkles.

17. Serve and enjoy!

My Favorite Ways to Enjoy Cake Batter Christmas Cookies

• With a big mug of hot cocoa while the Christmas tree lights twinkle in the background.

• Packaged up in a cute tin to share with neighbors or teachers as a sweet holiday gift.

• Added to a Christmas cookie platter alongside classics like gingerbread men and sugar cookies.

• Sneaking one (or two) fresh from the cooling rack before the frosting even goes on.

• Frosted high with sprinkles and served at a holiday party where they disappear in minutes.

• Dunked into a glass of cold milk for the ultimate cozy treat.

Serving & Storing

• Serve these cookies fresh with a swirl of frosting and a heavy hand of sprinkles for the most festive look.

• They make a great addition to a Christmas dessert table or cookie exchange.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them soft and chewy.

• If you want them to last longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week and let them come to room temp before enjoying.

• You can also freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months and then frost them fresh when you’re ready to serve.

• Layer cookies with parchment paper in a container so the frosting and sprinkles don’t smudge.

Variations

• Grinch Cookies – Add a little green food coloring to the dough and top with heart sprinkles for a whimsical Grinchy touch.

• Peppermint Twist – Trade the white chocolate chips for peppermint chips or crushed candy canes for a minty holiday flavor.

• Sandwich Cookies – Spread frosting between two cookies to make a rich, over-the-top sandwich treat.

• Dipped Cookies – Dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate, then sprinkle on holiday sprinkles for extra flair.

• Birthday Cake Holiday Mashup – Mix in rainbow sprinkles with the Christmas ones for a playful birthday-meets-Christmas vibe.

Substitutions

• Cake mix – Try swapping in funfetti, yellow, or even chocolate cake mix for a new twist.

• Extracts – Almond, peppermint, or a little extra vanilla can step in if you don’t have cake batter extract.

• White chocolate chips – Semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips make a tasty substitute.

• Frosting – Cream cheese frosting or classic vanilla buttercream both work beautifully in place of the cake batter frosting.

• Sprinkles – Switch up the sprinkles for any holiday or occasion, like hearts for Valentine’s Day or pastels for Easter.

FAQs

Do I really need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and bake up soft and chewy instead of flat.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can chill the dough overnight or even freeze it for later. Just let frozen dough balls thaw slightly before baking.

What if I can’t find cake batter extract?
No problem. You can just use extra vanilla extract, or swap in almond extract for a fun twist.

Can I frost these cookies the next day?
Yes! Just keep the cookies stored in an airtight container and frost them once you’re ready to serve.

How long will these cookies stay fresh?
They’ll stay soft for about 3 days at room temperature, a week in the fridge, or up to 2 months in the freezer if you freeze them unfrosted.

Can I use different sprinkles?
Of course! Swap in rainbow sprinkles, Valentine hearts, or pastel ones for Easter to make these cookies fit any season.