Are you craving cookies but don’t want to deal with all the measuring, sifting, and ingredient lists? Then vegan cake mix cookies are here to save the day! This super-simple vegan cookie recipe uses just a few ingredients to whip up perfectly sweet, soft, and oh-so-delicious cookies. Let’s dive into these easy vegan cookies that will satisfy your sweet tooth in no time!*
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Ingredients for Vegan Cake Mix Cookies
This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients—no fancy egg replacers or niche vegan ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 box of white cake mix (ensure it’s vegan-friendly)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk (such as almond, soy, or oat milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup vegan sprinkles or dairy-free white chocolate chips (optional)
That’s it! You’re four (potentially five) ingredients away from vegan cookie magic. This vegan cake mix cookie recipe keeps things so simple that even beginner bakers will feel like pros.
Video – How to Make Vegan Cake Mix Cookies
How to Make Vegan Cake Mix Sugar Cookies
This vegan cake mix cookies recipe is just as easy as the ingredient list suggests. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting perfectly soft and chewy vegan sugar cookies.
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
2. Combine ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, pour in the cake mix, vegetable oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract if you’re using it. Stir everything together until you have a thick, doughy consistency. It may take a bit of elbow grease to mix thoroughly, but trust me—it’s worth it!
3. Roll into balls– Scoop about one tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it into a ball. For uniform cookies, you can use a cookie scoop.
4. Add some sparkle – Fold in the vegan sprinkles or dairy-free white chocolate chips if desired. OR roll cookie dough into balls and roll balls in sprinkles. I liked rolling mine in the sugary sprinkles. Sugar sprinkles are easy to find in pretty much any color for any occasion, too!
5. Bake for 9-11 minutes – Pop your cookies in the oven and bake until the edges are slightly golden, but don’t overbake! Vegan cake mix cookies continue to firm up as they cool, so it’s best to remove them when they look just a bit underdone.
Makes about 24 cookies
6. Cool and enjoy – Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Or… sneak a warm one right off the pan if you can’t resist (no judgment here!).
That’s it! Now you’ve got a batch of vegan cake mix sugar cookies that look and taste like they’re straight from a bakery. They’re soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet, and I promise you won’t miss the eggs or dairy one bit.
Pro Tips for Easy Vegan Cookies
Now that you know how to make these dreamy vegan cake mix cookies, here are some pro tips to make them even better!
- Choose your favorite vegan cake mix– Not all cake mixes are created equal. Look for a brand that’s labeled vegan to avoid sneaky ingredients like milk powder. White and yellow cake mixes work great for classic sugar cookies, but feel free to get creative with chocolate or spice cake mix!
- Chill the dough if it’s too sticky – If your dough feels a little too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Chilled dough is easier to work with and results in thicker, fluffier cookies.
- Don’t worry about the dough being too thick – If it seems like your dough is too impossibly thick to make good cookies, then it’s probably perfect! That thick dough will indeed turn into fluffy cookies, so avoid the temptation to add more milk or oil. OR if you want more moist cookies, you can add a bit more milk and oil. Just note that your cookies will come out flat rather than fluffy.
- Customize your cookies – Vegan cake mix cookies are a blank canvas! Try adding chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts, or even a dash of cinnamon to make them your own.
- Storage – Store your vegan sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’re perfect for cookie emergencies (we’ve all been there!).
FAQs
What makes cake mix cookies vegan?
The beauty of vegan cake mix cookies is in the simplicity! This recipe skips eggs and dairy, and by choosing a vegan cake mix, you avoid any animal-derived ingredients. The plant-based milk and oil work as perfect replacements for butter and eggs, giving you soft, chewy cookies without any animal products.
Can I use any cake mix for vegan sugar cookies?
Not all cake mixes are vegan, so it’s important to check the ingredients. Look for a box that specifically says “vegan” or “plant-based,” or double-check that there are no dairy or egg ingredients. Many popular brands now offer vegan-friendly cake mixes, so finding one should be easy! As a side note, if you’re not vegan, any old white cake mix will definitely work and will taste delicious!
Why do my cookies turn out flat?
Flat cookies can happen if the dough is too warm or too watery. If you notice your cookies are spreading more than you’d like, try chilling the dough for about 10 minutes before baking. This helps the dough firm up and keeps your cookies thick and chewy. If you think your dough is too watery, you can add a bit of flour and sugar to thicken it up.
Can I make different flavors with vegan cake mix cookies?
Absolutely! This vegan cookie recipe is flexible and works with various cake mix flavors. Chocolate cake mix cookies? Yes, please! Spice cake cookies? Perfect for fall! Experiment and have fun with different cake mixes to keep things interesting.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
If you need a gluten-free option, look for a gluten-free vegan cake mix. They’re becoming more popular and should work just as well in this recipe, though the texture might be slightly different.
Can I make these cookies healthier?
While these cookies are definitely a treat, you can make small tweaks. Try using coconut oil for a slightly healthier fat. You can also try to replace the oil with applesauce. Please note: I have not experimented with this myself, so I cannot guarantee your cookies will come out perfectly. If you opt for applesauce instead of oil, you may also have to adjust your baking time and I would expect your cookies will have a slightly different texture.
And that’s it—how easy was that? Vegan cake mix cookies are truly one of the simplest vegan cookie recipes out there. They’re perfect for parties, late-night cravings, or just because you deserve something sweet and special. The next time you’re in the mood for a deliciously easy vegan cookie, give these vegan sugar cookies a try. They’re quick, customizable, and guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face (especially yours!).
Whether you’re new to vegan baking or just looking for a shortcut to delicious cookies, I hope this vegan cake mix sugar cookie recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen. Let me know if you try it out! Happy baking, friends!
If You Liked these Vegan Cake Mix Cookies, Check Out:
Vegan Cookie Butter Cookies
Vegan Blackberry Scones
Vegan Coffee Cake Muffins
Vegan Apple Cinnamon Scones
Vegan Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix any brand will do, but try to get one with a weight around 13-15 ounces
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk I used almond milk, but you can use your favorite plant-based milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or almond extract if you prefer that flavor
- vegan-friendly sprinkles optional, to coat and decorate your cookies
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- In a large mixing bowl, pour in the cake mix, vegetable oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract if you’re using it. Stir everything together until you have a thick, doughy consistency. It will be thick, but that will result in fluffy cookies in the end.
- Scoop about one tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it into a ball. For uniform cookies, you can use a cookie scoop.
- Fold in the vegan sprinkles or dairy-free white chocolate chips if desired. OR roll cookie dough into balls and roll balls in sprinkles. I liked rolling mine in the sugary sprinkles.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges look set and oh-so-slightly golden brown. Vegan cake mix cookies continue to firm up as they cool, so it’s best to remove them when they look just a bit underdone.
- Allow your cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Store your cookies in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
