Easy 5-Ingredient Chocolate M&M Cake Mix Cookies: Soft, Fudgy, and Ready in 30 Minutes!
Prepare to be amazed by the simplicity and incredible flavor of these Chocolate M&M Cake Mix Cookies. With just five essential ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible treats in around 30 minutes, including a crucial chill time. This recipe takes the delightful convenience of a chocolate cake mix and transforms it into perfect, fudgy cookies, studded with vibrant M&M candies for an extra burst of color and chocolatey goodness.
These M&M cake mix cookies aren’t just easy; they deliver on taste and texture, offering a soft, fudgy chocolate base that melts in your mouth, perfectly complemented by the slight crunch of the candy-coated chocolates. If you’ve never ventured into the world of cake mix cookies, get ready for a game-changer. It’s a baking hack that saves time without sacrificing flavor, making homemade cookies accessible to even the busiest bakers.
Once you experience the sheer joy of this recipe – and undoubtedly fall head over heels for the soft, cake-like texture of these cookies – you’ll want to explore the endless possibilities of cake mix baking. Don’t stop here! Be sure to give our lemon cake mix cookies for a zesty twist, funfetti cake mix cookies for a celebration in every bite, and rich peanut butter cookies made with cake mix a try. The beauty of cake mix cookies lies in their versatility and consistent deliciousness. Honestly, you simply can’t go wrong with any flavor of cake mix cookie you choose to create!
These chocolate M&M cake mix cookies are not just a treat for your taste buds, but also a feast for the eyes. The colorful M&M candies stand out beautifully against the rich chocolate cookie, making them ideal for parties, bake sales, or simply brightening up an ordinary afternoon. They’re a fantastic choice for busy parents looking for a quick yet satisfying dessert, or for anyone new to baking seeking a foolproof recipe with spectacular results.
Ingredients for Your Irresistible M&M Cake Mix Cookies
This section offers detailed ingredient notes and helpful substitution options to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time. You can find all precise measurements, ingredients, and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post.
- Cake mix— For these chocolate M&M cookies, we specifically used a 15.25 ounce box of Betty Crocker Super Moist Devil’s Food Cake Mix. This variety provides a wonderfully deep, rich chocolate flavor and a moist, tender crumb. However, feel free to get creative and experiment with other chocolate cake mix flavors! Chocolate Fudge cake mix is another incredibly yummy option that will yield an even more intense chocolate experience. You can even venture beyond chocolate and try a yellow cake mix for a vanilla base, or a red velvet mix for a festive touch. The key is to ensure it’s a standard 15.25 oz box.
- Vegetable oil— This ingredient is crucial for achieving that characteristic soft and fudgy texture in cake mix cookies. Vegetable oil contributes to the richness and moistness without adding extra flavor that might compete with the chocolate. Canola oil is a perfect alternative, offering the same neutral flavor and textural benefits. While some recipes use melted butter, oil tends to produce a chewier, more cake-like cookie when combined with cake mix.
- Eggs— You’ll need two large eggs for this recipe. For the best results, it’s highly recommended to allow your eggs to sit on the countertop for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature eggs emulsify more easily with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother, more uniform dough and ultimately, a more evenly baked cookie with a better texture. If you’re in a hurry, you can quickly warm them by placing them in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 5-10 minutes.
- Vanilla— A teaspoon of vanilla extract elevates the flavor profile of any chocolate baked good. For the most pronounced and authentic taste, always use 100% pure vanilla extract. While imitation vanilla can work in a pinch, pure vanilla offers a depth of flavor that truly shines through in these simple cookies. It enhances the chocolate without overpowering it.
- M&Ms— The star of the show for that pop of color and extra chocolate! We typically add regular-sized M&M’s candies to our cookies, which provide a satisfying crunch and melty chocolate goodness. However, feel free to customize! You could easily use mini M&M’s for a more even distribution throughout the dough, or even swap them entirely for chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or white chocolate) if that’s what you prefer or have on hand. For holiday themes, look for seasonal M&M’s!
How to Make Your Delicious M&M Cake Mix Cookies
This section walks you through the entire cookie-making process with clear, step-by-step photos and detailed instructions. For the complete printable recipe, including exact measurements and nutritional information, please refer to the dedicated recipe card found below.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, vegetable oil, room temperature eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a spatula or an electric mixer on low speed to mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and form a thick, sticky dough. Once your base dough is ready, gently fold in approximately two-thirds of your M&M candies. There’s no need to be precise with this measurement; simply estimate. This initial batch of M&Ms will be incorporated throughout the cookies, while the remaining ones will be used for decoration.
Step 2: Chill the Dough. This is a critical step that should not be skipped! Place the bowl containing your cookie dough into the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes. While 20 minutes is the minimum, allowing it to chill longer, even overnight, can significantly improve the dough’s workability and the final cookie’s texture, helping to prevent excessive spreading during baking. Chilling allows the fats to firm up, resulting in a thicker, chewier cookie.
Step 3: Shape and Decorate. Once the dough has sufficiently chilled and is easier to handle, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; this prevents sticking and ensures even baking. Take 1 to 1.5 Tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into smooth balls. Place these dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. For a bakery-quality appearance, gently press a few additional M&M’s onto the top of each cookie dough ball before baking. This ensures plenty of colorful candies are visible on the baked cookies.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection. Transfer your baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on them. The cookies are done when the edges are just set and lightly golden, but the centers still look soft and slightly underbaked. It’s crucial not to overbake these cookies, as this will lead to a dry rather than fudgy texture. Remember, they will continue to set as they cool.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy. Once baked, carefully remove the cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly before you handle them. After a few minutes, gently transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures proper air circulation, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy and helping them achieve their ideal chewy texture. Serve your delectable chocolate M&M cookies warm for a truly comforting experience, or enjoy them at room temperature with your favorite beverage.
Storage and Freezing Tips for Maximum Freshness
To keep your chocolate M&M cake mix cookies wonderfully fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain soft and delicious for up to 5 days. For longer storage, these cookies freeze exceptionally well. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about 30 minutes. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a fresh-baked taste.
Expert M&M Cake Mix Cookie Tips & Clever Variations
- Achieve Uniformity with a Cookie Scoop: For perfectly uniform-sized cookies, which ensures even baking and a professional look, a cookie scoop is your best friend. This simple tool makes portioning dough quick and mess-free.
- Parchment Paper is Key, Skip Greasing: Never grease your cookie sheets for these cookies. Instead, always use parchment paper or a high-quality silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking, promotes even browning, and makes cleanup incredibly easy.
- The Non-Negotiable Chill Time: Do NOT skip chilling the dough! Cookies made from cake mix are inherently very soft and tend to spread a lot during baking if not properly chilled. Chilling the dough is absolutely necessary to help them hold their shape and prevent them from becoming thin, flat discs. Furthermore, cake mix cookie dough can be quite sticky, making it challenging to form into balls. Chilling firms it up, making it much easier to handle and shape.
- Sticky Dough Solution: If, at any point during shaping, you find your cookie dough becoming too sticky to work with, simply pop it back into the refrigerator to chill for an additional 10-15 minutes. A slightly firmer dough is much easier to manage.
- Seasonal & Holiday Fun: Get creative with your M&M’s! Use seasonal varieties like Easter M&M’s, festive Christmas M&M’s, romantic Valentine’s Day M&M’s, or patriotic 4th of July M&M’s to give your chocolate M&M cookies a delightful holiday theme. They’re an incredibly easy way to create custom treats for any celebration, and we particularly love turning them into easy Christmas cookies!
- Mix-In Magic: Beyond M&M’s, consider adding other mix-ins like white chocolate chips, chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts), sprinkles, or even a different type of candy. A combination of M&M’s and chocolate chips can be particularly delicious.
- Boost the Flavor: For an extra depth of flavor, you can add a pinch of espresso powder to your chocolate cake mix. It won’t make the cookies taste like coffee but will intensify the chocolate notes beautifully.
- Perfect Baking Temperature: While 350°F (175°C) is standard, knowing your oven is key. If your cookies spread too much, your oven might be running a bit cool. An oven thermometer can help ensure accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil?
A: While vegetable oil is recommended for its neutral flavor and ability to create a very moist, fudgy cookie, you can experiment with melted butter. However, using butter may slightly alter the texture, making the cookies a bit crispier rather than as fudgy, and the flavor will have a buttery note.
Q: How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
A: The most important step to prevent spreading is to thoroughly chill your dough for at least 20 minutes, or even longer. Additionally, ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature, and avoid over-greasing your baking sheets (use parchment paper instead).
Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
A: Yes! You can absolutely freeze the cookie dough. Roll the dough into balls, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
More Easy Cookie Recipes to Love
If you’re looking for more quick and delicious cookie ideas, these recipes are sure to become new favorites. From no-bake delights to classic chocolate chips, there’s something for every craving:
- Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: Rich, chewy peanut butter cookies with a delightful chocolate peanut butter cup surprise inside.
- Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies: The ultimate classic, made incredibly easy with a simple cake mix base.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies: A quick and easy treat that requires no oven, perfect for satisfying sweet cravings fast.
- Easy Red Velvet Cookies: Stunning red cookies with a hint of chocolate, made simple with a cake mix.
- Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies: Crunchy, sweet, and wonderfully addictive no-bake cookies with a satisfying texture.
- M&M Cookie Pizza: A giant, shareable cookie topped with frosting and M&M’s, perfect for parties.
- 4-Ingredient Strawberry Cookies: A fruity, vibrant cookie that’s incredibly simple to make with a strawberry cake mix.
- Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies: Fudgy, chocolatey cookies with a beautiful crinkle top, using a convenient brownie mix.
Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies with M&Ms
Author: Jaclyn
5 minutes
8 minutes
20 minutes
33 minutes
20 cookies
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce devil’s food cake mix (1 box)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups M&M’s candies
Instructions
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In a large bowl, mix well to combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Fold in about ⅔ of the M&Ms.
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Set the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes.
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After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape the dough into 1- 1.5 Tablespoon-sized balls and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Press a few additional M&M’s into the top of the cookies.
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Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the top of the cookies are set. Do not overbake.
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Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool further.
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Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy.
Notes
Do not skip chilling the dough. You can get away with a 20-minute chill but if possible chill your dough longer. I like to let it chill overnight when possible.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g
|
Calories: 292kcal
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