If you’re looking for the easiest way to make Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies, this recipe will be your new holiday favorite. These soft, chewy, and colorful treats use a simple white cake mix as the base, making them foolproof and ready in under an hour. With their crinkled powdered sugar tops and vibrant Christmas colors, they’re the perfect cookies to brighten up any dessert table or cookie exchange.
Why You’ll Love These Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies
These cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat! Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a holiday party, or gifting homemade sweets, you’ll love how easy and beautiful these cookies turn out.
- Vibrant holiday colors – no fancy decorating required
- Soft, chewy texture from the cake mix base
- Quick and easy – ready in less than an hour
- Kid-friendly and mess-free to make
- Perfect for gifting or freezing ahead of time
With just a few pantry staples and some food coloring, you’ll have bakery-quality cookies bursting with Christmas spirit.
Ingredients for Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies
Base Dough
- 1 box white cake mix (13.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
Color & Coating
- Red gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar, for coating
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Cake Mix: White or yellow cake mix both work. For extra flavor, try vanilla or butter mix.
- Food Coloring: Gel works best for bold, even color. If using liquid coloring, add a bit of extra flour to maintain texture.
- Egg-Free Option: Replace each egg with 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water (let it sit for 10 minutes).
- Oil Substitute: Melted butter or coconut oil can replace vegetable oil for a richer flavor.
- Natural Colors: Use beet juice for red and matcha or spinach powder for green if you prefer no artificial dyes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, and oil. Stir until smooth and thick. The dough should be slightly sticky but easy to handle.
Step 2 – Divide and Color
Divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one and green to the other. Stir until the colors are evenly distributed. Adjust the intensity to your liking.
Step 3 – Chill the Dough
Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step makes the dough easier to roll and helps create the perfect crinkle texture.
Step 4 – Shape and Coat
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until fully coated.
Step 5 – Bake to Perfection
Arrange the dough balls on the baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between them. Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the tops crackle and the edges are set but still soft.
Step 6 – Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, they’ll be slightly crisp on the outside and tender inside — just right!
Pro Tips for Success
- Chill your dough — it prevents spreading and ensures a chewy texture.
- Use gel colors for deep, festive hues without altering the dough consistency.
- Don’t overbake! Crinkle cookies should look slightly underdone when you pull them out.
- Roll twice in powdered sugar for a thicker, snowy coating.
- Bake one color at a time to avoid color bleeding on the sheet.
- Store in airtight containers with parchment layers to keep them soft.
Flavor Variations
Want to put your own twist on these holiday cookies? Try these festive spins:
- Peppermint Crinkle Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed candy cane.
- Chocolate Swirl: Mix in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder for a red, green, and chocolate trio.
- Vanilla Sparkle: Stir in white chocolate chips and a pinch of vanilla bean paste.
- Lemon Snow Crinkles: Use lemon cake mix instead and yellow food coloring for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Marble Style: Combine small portions of red and green dough for a tie-dye crinkle effect!
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange them on a Christmas platter with sugar cookies and gingerbread men.
- Pack them in festive tins or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for edible gifts.
- Serve with hot cocoa, peppermint lattes, or eggnog for a cozy holiday treat.
- Use them as edible ornaments — tie with red string through a small hole near the edge!
Storage and Freezing Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate: Keeps well for up to 10 days in a sealed container.
- Freeze: Freeze unbaked dough balls (without sugar coating) up to 3 months. Roll in powdered sugar just before baking.
- Reheat: To revive that just-baked softness, microwave cookies for 5–10 seconds before serving.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 kcal |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sodium | 80 mg |
FAQ About Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies
How do I get the perfect crinkle texture?
The crackled surface comes from the contrast between the moist dough and the powdered sugar. Chilling the dough before baking and rolling it generously in sugar helps achieve that signature crinkle pattern.
Can I use different cake mix flavors?
Yes! Chocolate, strawberry, or lemon cake mixes work wonderfully. Just adjust your food coloring and decoration to match the flavor.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
If your dough is too warm or not chilled enough, it may spread. Make sure to chill for at least 30 minutes and use parchment paper instead of greased baking sheets.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare and color the dough up to 2 days in advance. Store it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Are these cookies kid-friendly to make?
Yes! Kids love helping with coloring and rolling the dough in sugar. Just supervise the baking step for safety.
Final Thoughts
These Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies are the perfect way to spread Christmas cheer. Soft, chewy, colorful, and delightfully sweet, they bring joy to every bite. Whether for parties, gifting, or cozy nights at home, these cookies are proof that sometimes, the simplest recipes make the most memorable treats.
Print
Soft Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies for Christmas
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, colorful cookies made from cake mix with red and green hues for a cheerful Christmas treat.
Ingredients
1 box white cake mix (13.25 oz)
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Red gel food coloring
Green gel food coloring
1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Combine cake mix, eggs, and oil until smooth.
2. Divide dough and color red and green.
3. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
4. Scoop, roll in powdered sugar, and place on baking sheet.
5. Bake at 375°F for 9–11 minutes until crackled.
6. Cool on rack before serving.
Notes
Use gel food coloring for vibrant color.
Chill dough for best texture.
Roll twice in powdered sugar for thick coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
