Chocolate Sugar Crinkle Cookies - delicious cookies that start out with a boxed cake mix. They're soft, tender cookies rolled in sugar before baking.
They'll become your favorite go-to cookie for bake sales and school events. Life is too short to say no to a cookie every now and then.
Check out the other great easy cookie recipes featured here on the site.

I had another bake sale last week and wanted to try something new, so I whipped up these yummy cake mix crinkle cookies.
I know someday these bake sales will be over, but for now, I'm enjoying it! It's fun to bake for Michael when he comes home from college and for Olivia and Tyler when they visit.
Looking for more Easy Desserts using a cake mix? Try my Cake Mix Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and my Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cake Mix.
Table of Contents
- How to make Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix
- Expert Tips
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Ingredients
- Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Bake Cookies Like a Pro!
- Baking Instructions
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- Storing, Freezing, and Thawing Tips
- More Easy Cookie Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
How to make Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix
This recipe is super fast and easy! The only thing that takes any time is letting the dough chill. Besides that, you'll have cookies ready to go in no time.
I love using cake mixes to make things easier. They're quick, simple, and always taste great. I guess you could say I like to keep things easy and delicious in the kitchen!
Check out my Homemade Mason Jar Cake Mix Recipe made with only 5 pantry ingredients!
Expert Tips
Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
Don't overbake: Keep a close eye on the cookies while they bake, as they can go from perfectly baked to overbaked quickly.
Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container.

Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla Extract
- Extra sugar for rolling the cookies in; about ⅓ cup
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Use any flavor of cake mix you like! Red velvet, vanilla, or even spice cake would create unique and delicious crinkle cookies.
- Add ½ cup of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for a bit of crunch.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips or even mini chocolate chips would be delicious too!
- Instead of granulated sugar, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar for a classic crinkle cookie look.
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Start by combining all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to handle.
Bake Cookies Like a Pro!
Use a cookie scoop to form the dough balls to ensure they are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
Not sure what size cookie scoop to use? Grab my FREE Cookie Scoop Size Cheat Sheet!

Step 2: Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and then roll each ball in granulated sugar until it's completely coated. Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
Baking Instructions
Step 3: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set and the tops are crinkled. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Storing, Freezing, and Thawing Tips
Pantry: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thawing Tips: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
📖 Recipe Card

Chocolate Sugar Crinkle Cookies from a Cake Mix
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a mixing bowl combine all the ingredients together and mix until a dough forms.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape the dough into 1 inch balls.
- Roll the balls in the sugar.
- Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 9 to 11 minutes.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool.
Nutrition
Notes
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
- Don't overbake: Keep a close eye on the cookies while they bake, as they can go from perfectly baked to overbaked quickly.
- Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!















Mary says
Lovely recipe! How many does this make?
Lois says
Depending on how big you roll the dough balls, you could get anywhere from 2 dozen to 30 cookies. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment!
Vicki says
Have you used a dark chocolate cake mix or rolled the dough in powdered sugar? Vicki
Lois says
No, I haven't. Please let me know if you do and how the cookies turn out! Thank you for visiting.
Sally says
What beautiful cookies. They've come out so well. I'd definitely like to make these - the recipe looks fab.
Lois says
Thank you Sally. Hope you enjoy the recipe!