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These M&M Cookies only have four ingredients! Yellow cake mix is the secret ingredient, and it makes the best soft but chewy cookies that taste like cake. The cookies bake up soft and puffy with M&Ms baked inside and on top – the perfect easy recipe.
I just love these yellow cake mix cookies! I’ve been making cake mix cookies for years in various flavors (from chocolate cake mix cookies to red velvet crinkle cookies and so many more) and a classic yellow cake with M&Ms is one of my favorite ways to make them. If you love the idea of a yellow cake with chocolate frosting, these are that in cookie form.
The secret to making cake mix cookies comes in the form of melted butter and chill time. Sure, you can use softened butter, but melted not only adds a buttery flavor but it also makes mixing the dough so much easier – you can even do it by hand if you want!
How to make Yellow Cake Mix Cookies with M&Ms: Add a cake mix to a large bowl with 1/2 cup unsalted melted butter and 2 large eggs. Stir or mix until smooth and add M&M candies, then scoop balls of dough and chill for at least 30 minutes. Bake cookies at 350°F until no longer glossy and light golden brown.
4 Ingredient Cookies
- Use any brand yellow cake mix (approximately 15 ounces). These cookies were tested with both Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker brands and worked great.
- You can make these with melted OR softened unsalted butter but I prefer using melted for the easiest mixing. Salted butter may be substituted.
- Two large eggs help bind the cookies and make them super most.
- Use any size or flavor or color M&Ms.
Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions. See below the recipe card for even more information: process shots, variations, FAQ and more.
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Dorothy’s Expert Cake Mix Tips
- Use any brand or flavor cake mix that is approximately 15 to 16 ounces in size. If you use Betty Crocker cake mix, your cookies will be puffier. If you use Duncan Hines, they will be flatter.
- You can also use a sugar-free cake mix for this recipe. Just use a box that is approximately the same size as the one listed in the recipe card.
- Cookie Decorating Hack: As soon as you pull them out of the oven, press a few M&Ms on top of each cookie for decoration. Allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes before taking them off the cookie sheet.
M&M Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter melted or softened
- 1 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups M&Ms
Instructions
- If using softened butter, you’ll need a hand or a stand mixer. If using melted butter, you can use a mixer or do the following by hand.
- Place butter, cake mix, and eggs in a large bowl. Stir or mix until combined and no lumps remain. Stir in M&Ms.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon balls of cookie dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment or silicone baking mats. No need to space them; we are chilling the dough. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a second cookie sheet with parchment or silicone baking mat.
- Space cookies 2-inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until they just lose their glossy sheen. These cookies stay puffy and will settle a bit as they cool but don’t become flat.
- Immediately after removing from the oven press a few more M&Ms on top for decoration. Cool at least 10 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Recipe Notes
- Use any brand or flavor cake mix that is approximately 15-16 ounces in size.
- You can do this same recipe using sugar-free cake mix as long as it’s around the same size box.
- Betty Crocker makes puffier cookies and Duncan Hines cookies will be flatter.
Recipe Nutrition
How to Make Cookies with Yellow Cake Mix
- Place the butter, cake mix, and eggs in a mixing bowl. If you use softened butter, you will need to mix them with a hand mixer. If you use melted butter, you can stir by hand with a spatula.
- Whichever method you use, stir or mix until the dough is well combined with no lumps.
- Stir in M&Ms until nice and thick.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon balls of cookie dough onto a prepared cookie sheet lined with parchment. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- How to bake cake mix cookies: Bake the cookies for 10 to 13 minutes at 350°F. They are done when they lose their glossy sheen. They will also be puffy but will settle a little as they cool.
Yellow Cake Mix Cookies FAQ
Yes, in testing this recipe, I found that Duncan Hines yellow cake mix cookies are flatter, and Betty Crocker makes them thicker and puffier.
You do need to chill these cookies before baking them. Chilling firms up the butter so your cookies won’t overspread while they bake.
Once they are cooled, store them in an airtight container, and they will keep at room temperature for three days.
Yes, yellow cake cookies freeze great. Store the cooled cookies in a freezer container, and they will keep for up to two months. Then, you can thaw them at room temperature when you are ready to serve them.
How many cookies does this make? Is it a full stick of butter?
The recipe card has all the important info: 1/2 cup butter and 24 cookies
can you make these in the airfryer
I have not yet tried to make cookies in an air fryer – but I know it’s possible, I just haven’t tested it yet.
Have you ever tried Pillsbury cake mix to make cookies? If you have tried Pillsbury do they bake up thick?
Could white cake mix be substituted?
Yes any flavor!
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