Soft, chewy, and incredibly easy to make, these small batch cake mix cookies are perfect when you want a quick dessert without baking dozens of cookies. Made with just a few simple ingredients and endless flavor combinations, these cookies are beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and easy to customize for any season or craving.
Recipe Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 8–10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: About 10–12 cookies
Why You’ll Love These Cake Mix Cookies for Two
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Easy small batch dessert
- Perfect for beginners
- Endless flavor combinations
- Soft and chewy texture
- Budget-friendly dessert idea
- Great for holidays and parties
- Easy to turn into cookie bars
Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies for Two
- 1/2 box cake mix (about 7.25 ounces by weight)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup mix-ins of choice (optional)
Optional Mix-Ins
- Chocolate chips
- Peanut butter chips
- White chocolate chips
- Caramel chips
- Butterscotch chips
- Chopped nuts
- Sprinkles
- Cinnamon chips
Equipment
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- Mixing bowl – Makes stirring the thick cookie dough easier
- Cookie scoop – Helps make evenly sized cookies
- Baking sheet – Perfect for baking small batches
- Parchment paper – Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier
Other Useful Tools
- Cooling rack
- Silicone spatula
- Measuring scale for accurate cake mix measurements
How to Make 3-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookies for Two
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix cake mix, softened butter, and egg until fully combined.
- Stir in any mix-ins you want to use.
- Scoop dough into evenly sized balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are set.
- Let cool for several minutes before serving.
Flavor Combination Ideas
Chocolate Lovers
- Chocolate cake mix + peanut butter chips
- Chocolate cake mix + white chocolate chips
- Devil’s food cake mix + caramel chips
Classic Bakery Style
- Yellow cake mix + caramel chips
- Yellow cake mix + butterscotch chips
- Vanilla cake mix + chopped pecans
Fruity Favorites
- Strawberry cake mix + white chocolate chips
- Lemon cake mix + vanilla chips
- Strawberry cake mix + sprinkles
Holiday Favorites
- Funfetti cake mix + white chocolate chips
- Red velvet cake mix + cream cheese chips
- Spice cake mix + cinnamon chips
Easy Variations
Make Bakery-Style Cookies
Use a larger cookie scoop and bake an extra 1–2 minutes for thick bakery-style cookies.
Make Cookie Bars Instead
Press dough into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch pan and bake until lightly golden and set in the center.
Tips for the Best Cake Mix Cookies
- Weighing the cake mix gives more accurate results than measuring by cups
- Do not overbake or the cookies can become dry
- Let cookies cool on the pan for softer centers
- Chill the dough for thicker cookies if desired
Storage
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies with:
- Cold milk
- Coffee or hot chocolate
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh strawberries
Budget Tips
- Buy cake mixes when they are on sale and save extras for quick desserts
- Store-brand cake mixes work well in this recipe
- Use leftover baking chips from other recipes to reduce waste
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any flavor cake mix?
Yes! Chocolate, strawberry, lemon, funfetti, spice, red velvet, and yellow cake mix all work well.
Why weigh the cake mix?
Weighing gives a more accurate half-box measurement than using cups.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes. Freeze dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
Can I make these into bars?
Yes. Press the dough into a parchment-lined pan and bake until set in the center.
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