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Every Christmas, these Cake Mix Santa Cookies become our family's must-have treat. They blend the simplicity of boxed mix with fun festive bits and chocolate morsels to create something downright enchanting. The warm vanilla smell fills our home with Christmas spirit, making our baking sessions so much more than just cooking.
What We're Grabbing
- White Cake Mix: This shortcuts our way to soft, puffy cookies.
- Egg Whites: Two is all you need for that airy, delicate bite.
- All-Purpose Flour: A small amount gives us just the right cookie structure.
- Vegetable Oil: This keeps everything moist and tender.
- Chocolate Chips: I always save some extra for topping before baking.
- Holiday Sprinkles: The green, red and white colors bring Christmas cheer.
How To Make Them
- Mix Your Batter
- Heat your oven to 350°F. Combine everything until you get a soft, slightly tacky dough.
- Add The Goodies
- Stir in your chips and sprinkles manually to keep everything looking pretty.
- Form And Decorate
- Drop even amounts with a cookie scoop, lightly flatten, then add more toppings on top.
Cooking Know-How
- Watch The Clock
- They only need 8-10 minutes till the edges firm up but middles stay soft.
- Let Them Rest
- Keep cookies on the hot pan for a couple minutes before moving to cool completely.
Keeping Them Fresh
Store your cookies in a sealed container and they'll stay yummy for days. I put parchment between layers so they don't stick together. You can even stick them in the freezer - either already baked or as dough balls if you want that fresh-from-the-oven magic later on.
Switch Things Up
Try swapping different chocolate varieties or adding smashed candy canes on top. A little splash of peppermint flavoring makes them extra Christmas-y. The best part is letting the kids pick new sprinkle colors each season, making every batch feel special and different.
Showing Them Off
These treats stand out on any holiday cookie plate. They're great mixed with other goodies for neighborhood exchanges or wrapped up as homemade gifts. And when we leave them out on Christmas Eve, they're always the ones that disappear first!
Smart Cookie Tricks
- Do smaller batches for better results each time.
- Coat your mix-ins with a bit of flour so they spread evenly.
- Always test one cookie first to get your timing just right.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why skip egg yolks?
- It keeps the cookies soft and pale so the sprinkles pop. Plus, it adds a lighter texture.
- → Can I try other cake mixes?
- White works best to show festive colors, but yellow or vanilla could work in a pinch.
- → What’s the flour for?
- It keeps the cookies sturdy and stops them from spreading too much when baking.
- → How do I know they’re ready?
- Bake 8-10 minutes until they’re just set. They’ll keep cooking a little on the sheet after coming out.
- → Can I freeze them?
- Yep, they can be frozen for 3 months. Store in layers with wax paper in an airtight container.