Turning Betty Crocker’s cake mix into chewy, delectable cookies was as momentous as finding a forgotten ten-dollar bill in the pocket of an old pair of jeans—it’s unexpectedly fantastic! It’s like having a magic wand that lets you transform a few simple ingredients into an array of impressive Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies variations.
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How to make Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies
Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies are a simple and quick dessert made by using a cake mix as the base ingredient to create cookies.
Ingredients:
- 1 box of Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ cake mix (Any flavor will do, but let’s say we’re going with chocolate for this example.)
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil (This helps make your cookies moist and chewy.)
- 2 large eggs (These act as the binder for your ingredients.)
- Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, or any of your favorite cookie mix-ins.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step ensures that your oven reaches the optimal temperature for baking those cookies to perfection.
- Prepare the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it. This step helps prevent the cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs until you have a smooth dough. This is when you can get your creativity flowing by folding in any of your chosen add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.
- Scoop the dough: Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop dough by rounded spoonfuls onto your prepared baking sheet. Be sure to leave enough space between each cookie, as they will spread a bit while baking.
- Bake: Slide your baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are set but not overly dry. Remember, you’re aiming for a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect texture.
Tips for Perfect Cake Mix Cookies:
- Don’t Overmix: When combining your ingredients, mix just until you’ve incorporated everything. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Consistent Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your cookies are the same size. This leads to even baking.
- Chill the Dough: If you have the time, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape better.
- Monitor Your Baking Time: All ovens are a bit different, so start checking your cookies at the 8-minute mark to prevent overbaking.
- Make It Your Own: The beauty of cake mix cookies is their versatility. Feel free to experiment with different cake mix flavors and mix-ins to create your unique cookie recipe.
What to serve with
Serving Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies isn’t just about presenting these delicious treats on a platter; it’s about creating memorable experiences and complementing flavors that enhance the overall enjoyment of the cookie.
1. Ice Cream: There’s hardly a more classic pairing than cookies and ice cream. For a simple yet sublime dessert, serve a warm cookie with a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top. You can even make ice cream sandwiches by placing a scoop of ice cream between two Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies. Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, but don’t hesitate to try flavors like salted caramel, mint chocolate chip, or strawberry for a unique twist.
2. Milk or Dairy-Free Alternatives: Dunking cookies in a glass of cold milk is a timeless tradition. The richness of the cookie balanced by the cool, refreshing milk is a match made in heaven. For those with dietary preferences or restrictions, almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk are excellent alternatives that offer their unique flavors to the mix.
3. Coffee or Tea: Pairing your cookies with a hot beverage can enhance the flavors and offer a comforting, warming experience. A bold, rich coffee can complement the sweetness of the cookies, while a cup of tea (black, green, or herbal) offers a more subtle, soothing counterpart. Consider serving a variety of teas to match the cookie flavors; for example, Earl Grey goes beautifully with chocolate chip cookies, while peppermint tea pairs wonderfully with chocolate-based cookies.
4. Fruit: Fresh fruit can add a refreshing, juicy contrast to the sweetness and density of cookies. Serve sliced fruits like strawberries, bananas, or apples alongside your cookies. For a more sophisticated pairing, consider a fruit compote or a berry salad with a hint of mint. The natural acidity and sweetness of the fruit will complement the richness of the cookies.
5. Cheese: Pairing cookies with cheese might sound unusual, but the combination can be delightful, especially for more adventurous palates. Serve a plate of cookies along with a selection of cheeses—think soft cheeses like Brie or cream cheese or sharp varieties like aged cheddar or Gouda. The creamy, savory notes of the cheese contrast nicely with the sweet, chewy texture of the cookies.
6. Nut Butter or Spreads: Offering a variety of nut butter (such as almond, peanut, or cashew butter) or spreads (like chocolate hazelnut spread) can turn your cookie serving into an interactive experience. Guests can spread a little on their cookies for an extra layer of flavor. This pairing is particularly appealing for chocolate or vanilla-based cookies.
7. Wine or Dessert Cocktails: Consider pairing your cookies with wine or a themed dessert cocktail for an adult gathering. A sweet dessert wine like Moscato, Port, or Riesling can complement the sweetness of the cookies without overwhelming their flavor. Dessert cocktails, such as an espresso martini or an Irish cream-based drink, can also offer a delightful pairing experience.
Ingredients Substitutes
Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies are a fun and easy way to bake, given their simplicity and the endless variations you can create. Sometimes, you might find yourself either short on a specific ingredient or needing a substitute due to dietary restrictions or preferences.
Oil
The cake mix recipe typically calls for vegetable oil, but you can easily substitute it with other fats to suit your dietary needs or flavor preferences.
- Butter or Margarine (melted and cooled): Using butter instead of oil gives your cookies a richer taste and slightly alters their texture, making them a bit more tender.
- Applesauce: For a low-fat version, unsweetened applesauce can be used as a 1:1 substitute for oil. This also adds a slight sweetness and moistness to the cookies.
- Coconut Oil: Melted coconut oil is a great dairy-free alternative that still adds richness. It may add a slight coconut flavor to your cookies.
Eggs
Eggs provide structure and help bind the cookies together, but several substitutes work well in cake mix cookies.
- Flaxseed Meal: To replace one egg, mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water. This is an excellent vegan option that also adds fiber.
- Applesauce: One egg can be substituted for 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce. This keeps the cookies moist and works best in fruit-flavored or chocolate cookies.
- Banana: 1/4 cup of mashed banana can replace one egg. This substitution adds sweetness and moisture, making it perfect for adding a slight banana flavor to the cookies.
- Commercial Egg Replacer: Follow the instructions on the packaging, as it varies by brand. These are specially designed to mimic the properties of eggs in baking.
Water
Some Betty Crocker Cake Mix Cookie recipes might call for adding water. While water is the most neutral liquid, you have several options for substitution depending on the desired outcome.
- Milk: Using milk (dairy or non-dairy alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk) instead of water can make your cookies richer.
- Coffee: In chocolate-based cookies, substituting water with cooled brewed coffee can enhance the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
- Juice: For fruit-flavored cookies, using complementary fruit juice (e.g., orange juice with orange cake mix) can intensify the fruit flavor.
Cake Mix
If you’re adventurous or need a specific type of cake mix that isn’t available at your grocery store (such as gluten-free or a particular flavor), you can make your own basic cake mix.
For a Basic Homemade Cake Mix, Combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version), 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 cup of dry milk powder. Add flavorings as desired. This mix can then be used as a direct substitute for a standard box of Betty Crocker Cake Mix in cookie recipes.
Add-Ins
Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies recipes often suggest adding chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins. You can get creative with these, swapping in ingredients based on what you have on hand or your taste preferences.
- Nuts: Any kind of chopped nuts can be used interchangeably.
- Chocolate Chips: You can substitute any kind of baking chips (butterscotch, peanut butter, white chocolate) or even chopped candy bars.
- Dried Fruit: Chopped dried fruit like apricots, cranberries, or raisins can add a chewy texture and a tart or sweet flavor contrast.
Final Thoughts
By following these simple steps and tips, you can enjoy delicious, homemade Betty Crocker’s Cake Mix Cookies with the ease and convenience of a cake mix.
More Cake Mix Recipes:
Ingredients
- 1 box of Betty Crockerâ„¢ Super Moistâ„¢ cake mix
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oilÂ
- 2 large eggsÂ
- Optional add-ins: chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step ensures that your oven reaches the optimal temperature for baking those cookies to perfection.
- Prepare the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it. This step helps prevent the cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs until you have a smooth dough. This is when you can get your creativity flowing by folding in any of your chosen add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.
- Scoop the dough: Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop dough by rounded spoonfuls onto your prepared baking sheet. Be sure to leave enough space between each cookie, as they will spread a bit while baking.
- Bake: Slide your baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are set but not overly dry. Remember, you're aiming for a soft and chewy texture.
- Cool: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect texture.