Fudgy Devils Food Cake Mix Cookies

Welcome to the world of effortless baking, where incredible flavor meets astounding simplicity! If you’re searching for a quick, fuss-free dessert that delivers rich, chewy satisfaction, look no further than these sensational 3-ingredient chocolate cake mix cookies. Perfect for busy weeknights, impromptu gatherings, or simply satisfying a sudden sweet craving, these cookies are a game-changer. Imagine fresh, warm chocolate cookies ready in under 30 minutes – it’s not a dream, it’s a delicious reality!

Unlocking the Magic of 3-Ingredient Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

There’s an undeniable joy in biting into a soft, chewy, and intensely chocolatey cookie. What if we told you that achieving this blissful experience doesn’t require a pantry full of ingredients or hours of baking time? Our chocolate cake mix cookies redefine easy baking, proving that gourmet taste can come from minimal effort. This recipe is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest methods yield the most delightful results.

These cookies boast a wonderfully soft and moist texture with delightfully chewy edges, brimming with rich chocolate flavor. The secret lies in a clever shortcut: a boxed cake mix. This humble pantry staple is transformed into a batch of incredible cookies with just two additional ingredients, making it an ideal recipe for beginner bakers, kids, or anyone needing a quick dessert fix.

Why Cake Mix Cookies Are Your New Favorite Baking Hack

While the art of baking from scratch is truly rewarding, there are days when life calls for speed and convenience without sacrificing taste. That’s where cake mix cookies shine! They offer a perfect solution for those moments when time is short, but the desire for a warm, homemade treat is strong. Here are just a few reasons why these cookies are so beloved:

• Unbeatable Speed: From mixing bowl to oven, you can have a batch of these cookies ready to enjoy in less than half an hour. No elaborate measuring, no complex steps – just pure, quick cookie goodness.
• Minimal Ingredients: With only three core ingredients, you likely already have everything you need in your pantry. This saves you a trip to the grocery store and simplifies your baking process.
• Incredible Versatility: The base recipe is a blank canvas for endless flavor possibilities. While we focus on rich chocolate here, you can easily swap out the cake mix flavor for a completely different cookie experience.
• Consistently Delicious: Cake mixes are designed for consistency, meaning you get perfectly textured and flavored cookies every single time. It’s almost foolproof!

We’re huge fans of transforming cake mixes into various delectable treats. Beyond these chocolate delights, we’ve explored strawberry cake mix cookies, vibrant funfetti cake mix cookies, zesty lemon cake mix cookies, elegant red velvet cake mix cookies, and even classic chocolate chip cake mix cookies. Once you discover the magic, you’ll find yourself stocking up on cake mixes just for the cookie possibilities!

The Simple Stars: Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

The beauty of this recipe truly lies in its simplicity. With just three fundamental ingredients, you’re on your way to baking a batch of the most satisfying chocolate cookies. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and how each component contributes to the final masterpiece.

1. Your Choice of Chocolate Cake Mix

This is the hero ingredient that brings all the chocolatey flavor and much of the cookie’s structure. You have a few fantastic options here:

• Devil’s Food Cake Mix: Our personal favorite for an intensely rich, dark chocolate flavor. It yields a cookie that’s deep in color and robust in taste.
• Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix: If you crave an even fudgier, denser cookie, this is an excellent choice. It creates an irresistibly moist and decadent treat.
• Standard Chocolate Cake Mix: For a classic, comforting chocolate cookie flavor that’s universally loved.

Any brand works beautifully – whether it’s Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or your preferred store brand. Just ensure it’s a standard 15.25-ounce box (approximately 432 grams) to maintain the correct ingredient ratio.

2. Large Eggs

Eggs are crucial binders in this recipe, helping to hold the cookie dough together and contribute to its chewy texture. They also add a touch of moisture and richness, ensuring your cookies aren’t dry or crumbly. Make sure to use large eggs for the best results.

3. Vegetable Oil or Melted Butter

This fat component is what gives these cookies their incredible softness and moistness. While vegetable oil is a classic choice for its neutral flavor and ability to create a tender crumb, you can also opt for melted butter for a richer, more buttery flavor profile. Both options work wonderfully, so choose based on your preference or what you have on hand.

Optional Add-Ins to Elevate Your Cookies

While the base recipe is fantastic on its own, adding a few extra goodies can take your chocolate cake mix cookies to the next level. Get creative and customize your batch!

• Chocolate Chips: A classic choice! Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips will enhance the chocolate experience.
• M&M’s: Add a pop of color and a delightful candy crunch. Great for festive occasions!
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (miniature) or Reese’s Pieces: For an irresistible chocolate-peanut butter combination.
• Sprinkles: Perfect for a fun, celebratory look, especially for birthdays or holidays.
• Chopped Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds can add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
• Toffee Bits: For a sweet, buttery, and slightly crunchy addition.

Remember, these are completely optional, but they offer a fantastic way to personalize your cookies and add extra texture and flavor dimension.

Essential Equipment for a Smooth Baking Process

Baking these 3-ingredient chocolate cake mix cookies requires only a few basic kitchen tools. Having these on hand will make the process even more enjoyable and efficient.

• Large Mixing Bowl: You’ll need a spacious bowl to comfortably combine your cake mix, eggs, and oil. A large bowl prevents spills and makes mixing much easier.
• Cookie Scoop (or Ice Cream Scoop): This is highly recommended for creating uniformly sized cookies. Evenly sized cookies bake more consistently, ensuring every cookie is perfectly done. Plus, it makes portioning the dough incredibly quick and mess-free.
• Baking Sheet(s): Standard baking sheets are essential for baking your cookies. You might need two or more, depending on the size of your oven and the batch size.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup. It also promotes even baking and helps the bottoms of the cookies achieve a desirable texture.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For mixing the dough. While an electric mixer can be used, this dough is quite thick and can be easily mixed by hand.

How to Make 3-Ingredient Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

Making these cookies is incredibly straightforward, perfect for a quick baking session. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have delicious cookies in no time!

1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This crucial first step ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as your cookies are ready to go in.
2. Combine Ingredients: In your large mixing bowl, add the entire box of chocolate cake mix, the two large eggs, and the ⅓ cup of vegetable oil (or melted butter). Using a sturdy spatula or a wooden spoon, mix these three ingredients together. The dough will be quite thick and somewhat sticky, but keep mixing until all the dry cake mix is fully incorporated and you have a cohesive dough. If you’re adding optional mix-ins like chocolate chips or M&M’s, gently fold them into the dough at this stage until evenly distributed.
3. Portion and Bake: Use a cookie scoop to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. This allows them space to spread without merging. Place the baking sheets in your preheated oven and bake for 9-10 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are set and slightly firm, but the centers still look soft and slightly puffed. They might appear slightly underdone in the middle, but they will continue to set as they cool.
4. Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. This brief cooling period helps them firm up, making them easier to transfer. Then, carefully transfer the warm cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to eat them all immediately (though we understand if you can’t!). They’re absolutely divine warm, but equally delicious once fully cooled.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cake Mix Cookies Every Time

While this recipe is incredibly simple, a few expert tips can ensure your 3-ingredient chocolate cake mix cookies turn out perfectly soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible every single time.

• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the ingredients are just combined and no dry streaks of cake mix remain, stop mixing. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies. A light hand will ensure a tender, soft texture.
• Mind the Dough Consistency: The dough for these cookies is naturally thick and a bit sticky. This is normal! If for any reason your dough seems excessively crumbly (which is rare with cake mixes but can happen if the cake mix box size differs), you can add a tiny bit more oil (half a teaspoon at a time) until it comes together. Conversely, if it feels too wet, chilling it for 15-20 minutes can help.
• Use a Cookie Scoop for Uniformity: As mentioned, a cookie scoop is your best friend for consistency. Uniformly sized cookies bake at the same rate, preventing some from being overdone while others are undercooked.
• Space Your Cookies: Ensure you leave enough space (about 2 inches) between each dough ball on the baking sheet. These cookies will spread as they bake, and adequate spacing prevents them from sticking together.
• Watch the Baking Time Closely: Cake mix cookies bake relatively quickly. Keep an eye on them, especially during the last few minutes. They are done when the edges are lightly golden and set, but the centers still look slightly soft or puffy. They will firm up considerably as they cool. Overbaking can lead to dry or hard cookies.
• Cooling is Key: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack is important. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking apart when moved. A wire rack allows air to circulate, ensuring they cool evenly and don’t get soggy bottoms.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: While not strictly necessary due to the simplicity of the recipe, using room temperature eggs can sometimes help ingredients combine more smoothly and create a more uniform dough.

Delicious Variations and Flavor Twists

The beauty of the cake mix cookie concept is its incredible adaptability. While this chocolate version is a staple, don’t hesitate to experiment with different cake mix flavors and creative add-ins to discover your next favorite cookie!

• Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies: Use a strawberry cake mix for a fruity, sweet, and vibrantly pink cookie. White chocolate chips or a drizzle of glaze would be fantastic here.
• Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies: A vanilla or yellow cake mix with added sprinkles creates a festive and fun cookie, perfect for celebrations.
• Lemon Cake Mix Cookies: A lemon cake mix delivers a zesty, bright cookie that’s wonderfully refreshing. Consider a light lemon glaze or powdered sugar dusting.
• Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: For a rich, slightly tangy cookie with a beautiful crimson hue. Cream cheese frosting drizzle or white chocolate chips are excellent additions.
• Spice Cake Mix Cookies: Perfect for autumn! Add a cream cheese frosting or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.
• Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies: Ideal for fall, these cookies are soft and spiced. Add some cream cheese frosting, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even mini chocolate chips.

You can also think beyond just mix-ins. Consider a simple drizzle of melted chocolate, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a dollop of frosting once the cookies have cooled completely. The possibilities are truly endless, making cake mix cookies a fun and dynamic dessert to experiment with.

Storing Your Freshly Baked Cookies

To keep your delicious 3-ingredient chocolate cake mix cookies fresh and chewy, proper storage is key. Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for 3-5 days. If you prefer a chewier texture, you can even place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; the bread will release its moisture and help keep the cookies soft.

For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. Once cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a quick treat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a different flavor cake mix for this recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can swap out the chocolate cake mix for any flavor you like – vanilla, strawberry, lemon, funfetti, red velvet, spice, or even pumpkin. The basic ratio of cake mix, eggs, and oil/butter remains the same, opening up a world of cookie possibilities.

Do I need to chill the cookie dough before baking?

No, chilling the dough is not typically necessary for this recipe. The dough is designed to be thick enough to scoop and bake immediately. However, if your kitchen is very warm and the dough seems too sticky or soft to handle, you can chill it for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to scoop.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies are done when the edges appear set and lightly golden, and the centers look slightly soft and puffed. They might not look fully “baked” in the middle, but they will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking will result in harder, drier cookies, so it’s better to err on the side of slightly underbaked for a chewier texture.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, you can! Scoop the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once solid, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can bake them from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time, or thaw them in the refrigerator before baking as usual.

What if my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread excessively, a few factors could be at play. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate (an oven thermometer can help). Also, make sure you’re using the correct amount of oil/butter; too much can cause spreading. Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can also help reduce spread.

Quick & Easy Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Here’s the simplified recipe card for these fantastic 3-ingredient chocolate cake mix cookies, making it easy to reference your ingredients and instructions.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 18 cookies

Calories: 145 kcal per cookie

Ingredients

• 15.25 Ounce Devil’s Food Cake Mix (or other chocolate flavor)
• 2 Large Eggs
• ⅓ cup Vegetable Oil (or melted butter)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until a thick, cohesive dough forms.
3. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until edges are set and centers are still slightly soft.
5. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Kitchen Tools

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Cookie Scoop
• Baking Sheets
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats

Nutrition Facts

Explore More Easy & Delicious Recipes

If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these chocolate cake mix cookies, you’re in for a treat! We have a treasure trove of other easy recipes that will inspire your next baking adventure or meal. Discover more fantastic cookies and delightful creations using cake mixes:

• Easy Macadamia Nut Cookies
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Caramel Macchiato Cookies
• Potato Chip Cookies
• PB&J Cookies

Don’t miss out on all our other cake mix recipes and a vast collection of easy cookie recipes.

Looking for more culinary inspiration? Explore our wide array of recipes, including mouthwatering copycat recipes for your restaurant favorites, indulgent dessert recipes, and convenient Crock Pot recipes perfect for any meal.

Love this recipe? Follow us on Pinterest for daily inspiration and delicious ideas! Tried this recipe? Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo on Instagram!

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Dessert Solution

These 3-ingredient chocolate cake mix cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re a revelation for anyone seeking simplicity without sacrificing flavor. They prove that you don’t need to be an expert baker or spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. With their rich chocolate taste, wonderfully soft and chewy texture, and incredible ease of preparation, these cookies are destined to become a beloved staple in your home.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself, these quick and easy cookies are sure to impress. So go ahead, grab a box of chocolate cake mix, a couple of eggs, and some oil, and get ready to experience the magic of effortless baking. Happy baking!