Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies

Soft-baked Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies have a subtle and cool peppermint flavor thanks to the peppermint extract and chopped peppermint candies! This cookie recipe starts with a cake mix and a few other added ingredients to make the cookies soft and fluffy. 

For more cake mix cookies try my Cake Mix Sugar Cookies, Toffee Cake Mix Cookies, and these Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies.

 

Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

If you need an easy cookie recipe for Christmas then these cookie are a must-try! Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies start with a white cake mix + a few other added ingredients, they get rolled in powdered sugar, and then baked until soft and fluffy. 

The addition of the cream cheese makes these cookies so soft and chewy!

Ingredients Needed

• Butter - I prefer using salted butter but unsalted butter can also be used if that's what you prefer. Just make sure that it is softened well before creaming it together with the cream cheese. That way it will blend in easier and smoother. 
• Cream Cheese - I recommend using full fat cream cheese in this recipe. Again, make sure it is softened so it blends in smoothly. Leave the cream cheese out at room temperature for 1-2 hours prior to making the cookies. 
• Peppermint Extract
• Large Egg
• White Cake Mix - Do not prepare before using! Just dump the dry cake mix into the mixing bowl.
• Powdered Sugar - This is to roll the dough balls in. It gives the cookies that powdery white, almost like snow, exterior coating. And it also provides some sweetness in contrast to the peppermint flavors. 

How To Make Easy Peppermint Cookies with a Cake Mix

Learn how to make these peppermint cookies that start with a cake mix with these easy steps! Be sure and read to the bottom of the post where there is a printable recipe option and a pin it button so you can save this recipe for later. 

• Prep : Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 1-2 baking sheets (cookie sheets) with parchment paper or use a silpat liner. 
• Peppermint Cake Mix Cookie Dough : In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth and combined. Add in the peppermint extract and egg. Mix just until combined. Dump in the dry cake mix and mix on low speed just until blended. Stir in the chopped peppermint candy cane pieces. 
• Bake Cookies : Use a cookie scooper to scoop out the dough and roll it into a ball. The dough is sticky so just try your best. Roll the dough ball in the powdered sugar and place it on the prepared cookie sheets. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough or do 12 at a time per cookie sheet. Bake for 9-13 minutes or until the cookies are puffy and start to crack on top. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

Peppermint Cake Mix Cookies FAQ's

• How To Store Leftovers

  • Cookies can be store at room temperature, in an airtight container or Ziploc bag, for up to 5 days. 
  • You can also freeze leftover cookies if wanted. Place 1-3 cookies inside a Ziploc bag and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the cookie, or bag of several cookies, thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before eating. I like to warm a cookie up in the microwave for a few seconds!

• Substitution Ideas

  • There are several ways to switch up this recipe if wanted. Here are some ideas!
    • Cake Mix : A French vanilla or vanilla cake mix will also work in this recipe. If you want to make chocolate peppermint cookies then try using a chocolate cake mix. 
    • Peppermint Candies : There are several different options for this peppermint candy. Crush up some peppermint candy canes. Buy a bag of the Andes Peppermint pieces (this is a seasonal item in grocery stores). Chop up some peppermint bark Ghirardelli squares. You can really use any peppermint flavored candy or chocolate for this ingredient. Or use a mix of both!
    • White Chocolate Chips : Use white chocolate chips instead of peppermint candies, or use both, for sweet and crunchy contrast. 
    • Mint Cookies : Swap out the peppermint extract for mint extract and try using chopped spearmint candy canes, chopped Andes mints, or other mint flavored candy instead. 

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Use a Cookie Scoop : It's much easier to scoop out the dough using a cookie scoop. The cookie dough is sticky and soft, which is normal, so it's best to use something to scoop the dough up with. Once you roll the dough ball in the powdered sugar it is much easier to work with thanks to that powdered sugar coating. The sticky dough also helps the powdered sugar adhere to the cookie dough ball. 
• Parchment Paper : I recommend using parchment paper when baking cookies. It helps the cookies bake more evenly and it prevents the bottom of the cookies from getting browned. 
• Cookie Dough Tip : The cookie dough is soft and sticky, which is normal as it helps the powdered sugar adhere, so don't worry if you can't get the cookie dough to roll into a perfect ball. Roughly roll it and then coat it in the powdered sugar. Once coated, you can then reshape it into a ball because it will be much easier to work with with that powdered sugar coating.

More Peppermint Desserts You'll Love

• Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies - This cookie recipe also uses cream cheese which makes them so soft and tender. 
• White Chocolate Peppermint Pie - A no bake pie with an Oreo crust and a cool peppermint filling. 
• White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge - So creamy and smooth thanks to the marshmallow fluff inside this fudge. 
• Peppermint Bark Pretzel Bites - Square pretzels, Hershey's candy cane kiss, and a peppermint m&m on top.