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These crazy-easy Spice Cookies are made with a box of cake mix. They have a soft texture and classic flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. You’ll love sharing them with the people you love!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love These Easy Spice Cookies
- What Are Spice Cookies Made Of?
- How to Make Spice Cookies
- Baker’s Notes
- Easy Cookie Variations
- How to Store Spice Cookies
- Can I Freeze These?
- More Sweet Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Get the Recipe
Why You’ll Love These Easy Spice Cookies
- Easy Cake Mix Recipe: A simple cookie recipe is always nice to have, and this one takes lots of the work off of your shoulders by using a box of cake mix for the base. Easy peasy!
- Only 5 Ingredients: Did I mention how easy this is? Not to overdo it, but yes – these sparkly holiday cookies only take 5 basic ingredients to make.
- Quick Baking: These cookies also take less than 30 minutes to make, including cooling time – score!!
- One Bowl: No mixer needed – just a bowl and spatula will get the job done.
(If you are looking for more holiday cookies, check out my 101 Christmas Cookies round up! I also have to recommend these White Chocolate Dipped Gingersnap Cookies, Gingerbread Man Cookies, and my personal top favorite cookies – these classic Spritz Cookies!)
What Are Spice Cookies Made Of?
Thanks to the cake mix, these cookies have a sweet, spiced flavor that everyone loves. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
- Cake Mix: One box of spice cake mix.
- Oil: Vegetable oil, or another neutral oil.
- Eggs: Large, whole eggs help bind the mixture together and give it structure.
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar.
How to Make Spice Cookies
These cookies would be perfect to make for a cookie exchange, especially if you aren’t the most experienced baker — these cookies are really hard to screw up!
- Make the Cookie Dough: Mix the cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until there aren’t any large lumps.
- Shape the Cookies. Roll the dough into balls, and roll each one in sugar. Place them on baking sheets with room for spreading in between.
- Bake. Bake these cookies for 9 – 10 minutes, or until the tops have cracked and the tops look set. The centers will still be gooey.
- Cool. Let the cookies sit for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack.
Baker’s Notes
Baking up these scrumptious, aromatic spice cookies is fun, especially with a few tricks up your sleeve. These quick tips will help guarantee a perfect batch of cookies, every time.
- Added Vanilla: While spice cake mix is flavorful all on its own, a little added vanilla gives the recipe a deeper, bakery-style taste that’s hard to beat.
- Chilling Option: After mixing the cookie dough, you can bake it right away, or refrigerate it for around 30 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough allows the flavors to meld together, and makes the dough firmer going into the oven, which will deliver thicker, chewier cookies.
- No Sticking: To prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet, I like to use parchment paper or silicone baking mats. You can also simply grease the cookie sheet, but that’s not always as reliable.
Easy Cookie Variations
Spice cookies are wonderful on their own, but if you want to jazz them up a little, try these holiday-appropriate variations. So many delicious cookie options, so little time!
- Icing or Frosting: What’s better than a cookie? A cookie coated with frosting. You’ll love adding Cream Cheese Frosting for a Lofthouse-like cookie, or Brown Sugar Frosting (from my pumpkin cake recipe!) for a thinner, more homespun twist.
- Add Some Crunch: Spice cookies are the perfect vehicle for a little added crunch from chopped walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds.
- Add More Flavor: Other mix-ins you might like include white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, raisins, cranberry, or candied orange peel. Yum!
How to Store Spice Cookies
Spice cookies store well at room temperature (unless you top them with cream cheese frosting – in that case, keep them in the fridge). Make sure to store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag, and enjoy them within four or five days.
Can I Freeze These?
Yes! Cool the cookies completely, and package them in layers in a hard-sided container, with parchment or wax paper between the layers to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 2 months, and thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Sweet Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Easy Christmas Whoopie Pies
- Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing
- Old Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Christmas Crack
- Peppermint Oreo Truffle Balls
- Butterscotch Haystacks
4.5 from 89 votes
Print Pin Recipe
Yield: 20 servings
Spice Cookies
These crazy-easy Spice Cookies are made with a box of cake mix. They have a soft texture and classic flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. You’ll love sharing them with the people you love!
Prep Time10 minutes minutes
Cook Time9 minutes minutes
Total Time19 minutes minutes
Ingredients
- 1 box (18.25 oz) spice cake mix
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with a silicon mat or parchment paper. Place granulatedsugar in a shallow bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs and vanilla extract until there are no large lumps left.
Roll 1 heaping tablespoon of dough into balls and coat in granulatedsugar. Place on cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches for spreading.
Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the tops have cracked and the tops look set (the centers will still be gooey). Let sit for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.
Serve warm or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
Storing:Spice cookies store well at room temperature (unless you top them with cream cheese frosting – in that case, keep them in the fridge). Make sure to store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag, and enjoy them within four or five days.
Freezing:Cool the cookies completely, and package them in layers in a hard-sided container, with parchment or wax paper between the layers to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 2 months, and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Icing or Frosting: What’s better than a cookie? A cookie coated with frosting. You’ll love adding Cream Cheese Frosting for a Lofthouse-like cookie, or Brown Sugar Frosting (from my pumpkin cake recipe!) for a thinner, more homespun twist.
Add Some Crunch: Spice cookies are the perfect vehicle for a little added crunch from chopped walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds.
Add More Flavor: Other mix-ins you might like include white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, raisins, cranberry, or candied orange peel. Yum!
Nutrition
Serving: 1, Calories: 165kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 176mg, Potassium: 95mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 1mg
© Jessica – The Novice Chef
Cuisine: American
Category: Cookies
Categories:
- 30 Min or Less
- Christmas
- Cookies
- Desserts
- Fall
- Holidays
- Recipes
- Videos
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