Cream Cheese Cake Mix Cookies are tender, buttery, and slightly sweet. Rainbow sprinkles add pretty colors. Easy to make with a box of yellow cake mix and few additional ingredients.
DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored recipe. I made these cookies with a box of Betty Crocker Yellow Cake Mix provided by General Mills.
This recipe is a variation of Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Gooey Butter Cookies.
In my adjusted version, cookie dough isn’t rolled in powdered sugar before baking.
I also chilled cookie dough before baking because it doesn’t spread while baking and is easier to manage (less sticky). Cookies turned out great!
Although I love homemade desserts, I will use boxed cake mixes when time is tight and I need a delicious dessert. Good to have options!
I already know some will complain about using a boxed cake mix because they prefer homemade from scratch. We all have our likes and dislikes. However, I will soon share recipes for homemade cookies! I also love ’em. 🙂
Homemade from scratch butterscotch cookies are are my favorite. Chocolate chip cookies are super popular. However, butterscotch cookies are the best. I will share a fab recipe soon.
Chocolate and yellow butter flavored cake mixes also make great cookies.
Popular add-ins are chocolate chips, crumbled peppermint, chopped cordial cherries, chopped pecans and chopped walnuts.
What’s your favorite cookie? Please leave a comment.

My precious aunt tasted the warm Cream Cheese Cake Mix cookies after they came out of the oven.
She liked the soft texture and mild sweetness. We love ’em!
Sprinkles add splashes of pretty color.
To make Christmas cookies, add green and red sprinkles.
Store cookies in an airtight container. Keep on countertop or in fridge.
Helpful Tips For Beginners: How To Read & Follow Any Recipe
Reading a recipe is an important life skill. It starts with knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and knowing what type of equipment to use.
The following tips and strategies will help beginners or experienced cooks use a recipe to create a delicious dish.
Start with clean hands and organized kitchen. Wash hands thoroughly. Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.
Create a relaxing environment. Play favorite music while in the kitchen. I love listening to classical or gospel music.
Read the recipe. Don’t just quickly skim it. Thoroughly read from start to finish. Visualize doing each step which will help you follow each step. No misses!
If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, try a substitute or omit the ingredient.
Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped. For example, 1 cup of chopped walnuts is not the same as walnuts, chopped (measure whole walnuts and then chop).
Know the assumptions. For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar. If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written that way in the recipe.
Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.
Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.
Watch Recipe Videos. If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos. Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.
Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.” It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized, use each ingredient and complete each step. Nothing is overlooked.
Organize your tools and kitchen equipment. Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients. Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.
Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times. Make note of ingredients omitted, favorite substitutions and creative twists. The notes will be very helpful the next time you make this recipe.
Enjoy!

Prep Time | 1 hour |
Cook Time | 15 minutes |
Servings |
cookies
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- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup (or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened Do not use margarine.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 box (15.25 oz.) yellow cake mix I used Betty Crocker's yellow cake mix.
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
Ingredients
|
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- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In medium sized bowl, combine softened cream cheese, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract (if using).
- Cream together until smooth with a large spoon or an electric mixer.
- Pour in dry cake mix. Use a heavy spoon to stir together until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls or larger if preferred.
- Roll each ball in sprinkles. Flatten lightly. This step is optional.
- Place 1" apart on a cookie sheet that's ungreased or line with parchment paper.
- Bake 11 to 15 minutes OR until soft and puffy. Baked cookies will be very tender and will look like they're not done. They will firm "slightly" while cooling. Avoid over baking because the cookies will be dry.
- Move to rack or large platter for cooling.
- Makes 20 to 24 cookies depending on size.
How much vanilla
It’s one teaspoon of vanilla extract. My apologies for the typo. I’ve corrected the recipe. Thank you for asking! Greatly appreciated.
Do you put the sprinkles in the cake mix or on top before baking?
Hi Liv! Stir sprinkles into cake batter. I’ve updated the instructions. My apologies for the error. Thank you for asking!
You don’t mention when to add egg, I’m guessing after creaming butter and cream cheese, before adding cake mix
Hi Gail! You’re correct. I’ve updated the instructions. Add egg in Step #2. My apologies for the error. Thank you for asking!
Can we substitute lemon cake and gtetthe same result.
Hi Joyce! Although lemon cake mix sounds good, I’ve never tested it with this recipe. My “guess” is yes. I would consider using lemon extract instead of vanilla extract. Thank you for visiting. Please come again!