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In my kitchen these Cake Mix Santa Cookies have become a cherished holiday tradition. The way they combine the ease of cake mix with festive sprinkles and chocolate chips creates something truly magical. Every time I bake these the kitchen fills with sweet vanilla aromas and holiday cheer making baking day extra special.
What You'll Need
- White Cake Mix: This is our secret weapon for perfectly tender cookies.
- Egg Whites: Two whites give us that perfect light texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just a touch helps create the ideal consistency.
- Vegetable Oil: Makes our cookies wonderfully soft.
- Chocolate Chips: I always add extra for topping.
- Holiday Sprinkles: Those red white and green colors make everything festive.
Let's Get Baking
- Prepare the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients until the dough comes together soft and slightly sticky.
- Mix-In Time
- Fold in chocolate chips and sprinkles by hand to keep the dough perfect.
- Shape and Top
- Use a small cookie scoop for uniform sizes, press gently, and add extra toppings before baking.
Baking Tips
- Perfect Timing
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until edges set while centers remain soft.
- Cooling Time
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Storage Secrets
These beauties stay fresh in an airtight container for several days. I layer them between parchment paper to keep them perfect. Sometimes I freeze the baked cookies or even better the dough balls for fresh-baked cookies whenever we need them.
Mix It Up
Sometimes I swap in different chocolate chips or add crushed candy canes. A touch of peppermint extract creates wonderful holiday flavor. My kids love helping choose different sprinkles each year making each batch unique and special.
Perfect Presentation
These cookies look beautiful on any holiday platter. I love arranging them with other treats for cookie exchanges or packaging them in festive boxes for gifts. They're always the first to disappear when left out for Santa.
Kitchen Wisdom
- Work in small batches to maintain consistency.
- Toss mix-ins with a bit of flour for even distribution.
- Bake a test cookie first to fine-tune timing and texture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use only egg whites?
- Using just egg whites helps keep the cookies light in color and creates a softer texture. It also allows the festive colors to show better.
- → Can I use different cake mix flavors?
- White cake mix works best for showing the holiday colors, but you could use vanilla or yellow cake mix if needed.
- → Why do I need to add flour to cake mix?
- The extra flour helps provide structure and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- → How do I know when they're done?
- Bake just until set, 8-10 minutes. They should look slightly underdone as they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
- Yes, they freeze well for up to 3 months. Store in an airtight container with wax paper between layers.