Name: Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box (13.25 oz) white cake mix; 2 eggs; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1/3 cup powdered sugar; Red food coloring; Green food coloring

There's something truly magical about biting into these soft, chewy, and delightfully powdered Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe. Their vibrant red and green hues paired with that signature crackled surface instantly bring holiday joy right to your kitchen, making them worth every minute of effort.

On a white plate, there is a pile of small round cookies in two colors: bright red and green. Each cookie has a cracked surface, showing the cookie’s colored dough beneath a thick layer of powdered sugar that gives a frosted, white texture on top. The cookies are stacked in a loose pile, with a mix of green and red cookies placed randomly. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with some festive decorations like red berries and shiny green and pink bells around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't tell you how many times these cookies have saved me during the holiday season! They're simple, quick to whip up, and everyone loves how festive they look on a plate. It’s one of those treats that feels homemade without the fuss.

Effortless Preparation: You use a boxed white cake mix, so it cuts down on prep time without skimping on taste.
Festive Colors Made Easy: Separating and coloring dough lets you get creative with classic Christmas hues that look striking.
Soft, Chewy Texture: These cookies stay tender inside with just a subtle crisp on the outside – perfect to share with kids and adults alike.
Perfect Gift and Party Treat: Their colorful crinkled finish makes them stand out on cookie trays or wrapped in festive cellophane.

The image shows several round crinkle cookies on a gold cooling rack. Each cookie has two layers: a bright colored base layer in red or green, and a cracked top layer of white powdered sugar that creates a rough texture with visible cracks revealing the color beneath. The cookies are arranged in rows and the background is a white marbled surface with some soft holiday-themed blurry decorations in the distance. The lighting is bright and clear, making the colors pop and the texture stand out well. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because it leans on simple, accessible ingredients that reliably come together for amazing texture and flavor. Plus, offering some tips about each one can help you get the best results for your Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine white cake mix, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with bright white powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with vivid red food coloring liquid, and a small white ceramic bowl with vibrant green food coloring liquid, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White Cake Mix: This acts as your base, providing sweetness and a tender crumb; using a quality brand makes a difference in texture.
Eggs: They bind all ingredients together and offer structure to keep your cookies from spreading too thin.
Olive Oil: Adds moisture and richness without the heaviness of butter; I love using mild olive oil for a subtle flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Coating the dough balls in powdered sugar creates the classic crinkled look and adds a soft sweetness on the cookie’s exterior.
Red & Green Food Coloring: Essential for creating that holiday sparkle! Using gel food coloring means vibrant color without altering dough consistency.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe is how open it is to your own spin—whether you want to change colors or tweak flavors. Making it your own definitely keeps the baking fun!

Variation: I once swapped olive oil for melted coconut oil to add a hint of tropical richness, which gave the cookies a subtle twist that guests adored.
Dietary Modifications: Use an egg substitute like flaxseed meal or applesauce for an egg-free version; just be mindful the texture may be a bit softer.
Adding Flavors: A dash of vanilla or peppermint extract can amp up the festive vibe—you can’t go wrong with peppermint during the holidays!
Color Fun: Try mixing blue and green for a fun twist beyond traditional Christmas colors or add edible glitter for extra sparkle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Like a Pro

First things first, get your oven warmed up to 375°F. While it heats, line your cookie sheet with parchment paper, a silicone mat, or give it a good spray of nonstick oil. This prep step ensures your cookies don’t stick and slide into perfect rounds.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients Gently

In a large bowl, mix the white cake mix, eggs, and olive oil. I prefer using a Danish dough whisk because it blends evenly without turning the dough overly thick or tough—which can happen if you use an electric mixer here. Just stir until everything’s combined.

Step 3: Split, Color, and Stir

Divide your dough evenly into two bowls. Then grab two toothpicks—one for red food coloring and one for green—to avoid mixing colors unintentionally. Add the coloring a little at a time until you see that perfect festive shade, and mix well.

Step 4: Scoop, Roll, and Coat

Using a small cookie scoop (about 1½ tablespoons), scoop dough and roll each ball between your palms until smooth. Then, roll each ball generously in powdered sugar. This snowy coat is what gives the cookies that irresistible crackled appearance as they bake.

Step 5: Bake, Cool, and Enjoy

Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto your cookie sheet, giving them at least 1½ inches apart because they will spread. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers look soft. Let them cool on the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Then, grab one (or two) and savor the festive goodness!

Top Tip

After perfecting this recipe myself, I realized these little pointers can really elevate your Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe experience—no more guesswork or disappointment in the texture or color!

Use a Gentle Mixing Tool: Avoid electric mixers for the dough stage; they can make the dough too stiff, which affects the cookie’s softness.
Separate Toothpicks for Colors: This keeps red and green from creating brownish hues—you want bold Christmas colors, not mixed messes!
Powdered Sugar Coating: Don’t skimp on this step; it really makes that signature crinkly surface pop and adds an extra touch of sweetness.
Dough Ball Spacing: Give them plenty of room on your sheet to prevent cookies from merging into one big cookie pancake.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Festive Christmas Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting the cookies with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving—it adds a snowy sparkle that's hard to resist. Occasionally, I throw in a few red and green sprinkles around the plate for that extra festive cheer your guests will notice.

Side Dishes

Pair these crinkle cookies with a warm cup of spiced tea or rich hot chocolate to really capture that cozy holiday feeling. They’re also wonderful alongside a simple cheese board with mild cheeses and fresh fruit for a festive treat spread.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation tricks is to stack the cookies in a clear glass jar tied with a bright red ribbon—makes for an instant gift or centerpiece. You could also arrange them on a tiered tray or surround a holiday punch bowl to create a vibrant festive display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay soft and delicious for up to five days. Placing a small piece of bread inside helps maintain moisture, a little trick I discovered to keep them fresh.

Freezing

Freezing works great! I flash freeze the dough balls on a tray first, then store them in a zip-top bag. When ready, just bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. Freshly baked cookies at a moment’s notice? Yes, please!

Reheating

If you want to warm up leftovers, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds or bake in a 300°F oven for five minutes. This revives that fresh-baked softness and makes them almost taste straight from the oven again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cake mix for this recipe?

Absolutely! Vanilla or even yellow cake mix will work just fine, but white cake mix tends to provide the best bright canvas for the colors and soft texture you want in the cookies.

Why avoid using an electric mixer to mix the dough?

Using an electric mixer can overwork the batter and make the dough tougher, which leads to denser cookies rather than soft, tender crinkle cookies. Stirring by hand with a whisk or spoon keeps the right texture.

How do I prevent the colors from mixing and getting muddy?

Use separate toothpicks for each color—you only want to dip the toothpick into one food coloring, then stir it into just one portion of dough. This prevents bleeding together and keeps your festive red and green distinct.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

If you use a gluten-free white cake mix, this recipe adapts nicely to gluten-free baking. Just ensure your other ingredients (like baking spray and powdered sugar) are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

Final Thoughts

I truly recommend giving this Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe a go this holiday season. It’s just as fun to make as it is to eat, and there’s something so satisfying about sharing these colorful, crackly treats with friends and family. Plus, the simplicity of the ingredients and steps means you get maximum festive cheer without hours in the kitchen. Trust me—you’re going to want to make these your new holiday tradition!