Name: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.25 ounce box red velvet cake mix; 2 large eggs; ½ cup whipped cream cheese spread; ½ cup powdered sugar

There’s something irresistibly fun about whipping up a batch of cookies that come together so quickly and taste like a little slice of cake. The Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe delivers that spectacular red velvet flavor and tender texture in a perfectly portable treat. Trust me, these cookies will soon become your go-to for easy, impressive dessert moments.

A stack of four round red velvet cookies dusted with white powdered sugar is shown on a white marbled surface, with the top cookie broken in half to show its soft, dense, and moist dark red inside. The cookies have cracked powdered sugar surfaces, creating a textured pattern of red and white. The background is softly blurred, with light pink and white tones hinting at more cookies and a red and white striped straw. 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 Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m not kidding when I say this recipe is a total game changer for busy bakers. Using red velvet cake mix as a base means you get rich chocolate flavor infused with that signature hint of tangy buttermilk in every bite. I love how it cuts down baking time dramatically without skimping on indulgence.

Super Simple: Only a handful of ingredients needed, making it approachable for any skill level.
Soft & Chewy Texture: The addition of cream cheese spread creates that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Perfect Portions: Using a cookie scoop ensures consistent size so your cookies bake evenly every time.
Versatile & Fun: Great for last-minute gatherings or when you want a quick homemade treat without fuss.

The image shows several round cookies with a cracked surface, lying close together on a surface with a white marbled texture. Each cookie is cracked with a red base peeking through a thick layer of white powdered sugar that covers the top. The cookies have an uneven, rough texture due to the cracks and powdered sugar, and their red color contrasts strongly with the white powder. The overall look is soft and slightly rough with a cracked pattern on each cookie. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe plays a key role in balance and ease. The cake mix already has just the right flavor base and sweetness, while the cream cheese spread adds moisture and that subtle tang that makes red velvet so special.

Flat lay of a small pile of deep red velvet cake mix powder, two large brown eggs with clean shells, a half cup of smooth whipped cream cheese spread in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, all carefully arranged in perfect symmetry, 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

Red velvet cake mix: The star of the show, it brings in cocoa notes and that beautiful red color without extra effort.
Large eggs: Bind everything together while adding structure to the cookies.
Whipped cream cheese spread: This keeps the dough soft and tender, and I’ve found using spreadable cream cheese is easier to mix than block cream cheese.
Powdered sugar: Coats the cookies, giving them that classic crinkle look and a sweet, delicate finish.

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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

I love tweaking this recipe to fit moods and occasions. Whether I’m adding a personal touch or adjusting for dietary preferences, these cookies are surprisingly adaptable. You can make them as simple or as festive as you like.

Variation: I’ve added white chocolate chips once for a sweet surprise inside, which totally elevated the flavor and added extra melty goodness.
Dairy-Free Swap: Try using a dairy-free cream cheese spread to make this recipe suitable for lactose intolerance—you might need to chill the dough a bit longer.
Seasonal Flair: For holidays, sprinkle a tiny bit of festive colored sugar on top instead of powdered sugar for added sparkle.
Texture Twist: For crunch, toss in chopped pecans or walnuts right into the batter before baking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Station

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two half-sheet baking pans with parchment paper. This setup keeps your cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly. I like to have my cookie scoop and powdered sugar bowl ready next to the mixing bowl—makes the process smooth and fun.

Step 2: Mix The Magic

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together the red velvet cake mix, eggs, and whipped cream cheese spread for 1-2 minutes. You'll want to mix until the dough is soft and sticky—don't overmix or it could dry out. I find the cream cheese spread blends in best when it's at room temperature, so plan ahead a little for that.

Step 3: Roll and Coat

Place your powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, drop dough portions into the sugar, then roll gently to coat all the way around. This step gives your cookies their signature crinkled, snowy look. I like to be generous with the coating for that extra sweet pop.

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy

Arrange cookies 1-2 inches apart on the lined baking sheet and bake for 8-11 minutes. You'll want to pull them out when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft—that's the key to that perfectly chewy texture. Let them cool for a few minutes before transferring to a rack or enjoying warm with a glass of milk.

Top Tip

Through making this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe multiple times, I’ve figured out just a few adjustments that can make a big difference to your outcome. These handy pointers come straight from my kitchen mishaps and happy discoveries.

Room Temperature Cream Cheese: It blends into the dough far more smoothly, avoiding lumps and ensuring the texture stays tender.
Don’t Overbake: I learned the hard way that overbaking dries out these cookies. Pull them out as soon as the edges set but the middle still looks soft.
Consistent Cookie Size: Using a cookie scoop keeps every cookie about the same size so they bake evenly and look uniform.
Generous Powdered Sugar Coating: More powder means those iconic crinkles shine and delivers that lovely sweet crunch in every bite.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a simple gal when it comes to garnishes here—just a light dusting of extra powdered sugar right after baking does the trick. Occasionally, I’ll sprinkle a few mini white chocolate chips on top before baking for a sweet bite that complements the cocoa notes. The cinnamon-sugar dusting I tried once was a fun twist too!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with classic accompaniments like cold milk or a cup of coffee. For something a little richer, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes a quick, decadent dessert. During chilly months, hot cocoa with marshmallows alongside these cookies is my favorite cozy combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging these red velvet beauties on a platter lined with doilies, sprinkled with edible glitter or fresh berries for color contrast. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a colorful ribbon makes charming little treats for neighbors or hosts. I even layered them between wax paper in a jar for a fun gift idea!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keeping these cookies fresh is easy—store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days. I recommend covering them well if you plan to keep them longer to stop them from drying out. They somehow always disappear faster than expected, but good to know you can keep extras!

Freezing

I freeze these cookies often because they’re so easy to make in advance. Just pop fully cooled cookies into a freezer-safe container and they’ll last up to 3 months. When you want to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature. Expect the cookies to firm up a bit but still taste amazing.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked warmth, I zap leftovers in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. It softens the cookies without drying them out. You can also pop them in a preheated oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes if you need to reheat more at once—just keep an eye to avoid overbaking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute regular cream cheese for the whipped cream cheese spread?

Yes, you can use regular block cream cheese, but you should soften it to room temperature and whisk it well before mixing with the other ingredients. This helps to avoid lumps and ensures the dough blends smoothly. Whipped cream cheese spread just speeds up the process and gives a lighter texture.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for edges that are set and slightly firm while the centers still look soft but not raw. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so err on the side of underbaking rather than overbaking for best chewy results.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate to keep it fresh. When you’re ready to bake, let it come to room temperature for a few minutes if it’s too firm, then roll in powdered sugar and bake as usual.

Is this recipe suitable for kids to help with?

Definitely! This Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is simple enough for kids to participate in rolling dough balls in powdered sugar and placing them on trays. Just supervise the oven usage and mixing stages, and you’ll have fun baking together.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe holds a special place for me because it’s the perfect balance of speedy prep and delightful flavor. I love how it has a homemade feel but without the usual fuss, and I’m so excited for you to try it and fall in love with it, too. Whether for a fun weeknight treat or last-minute company, these cookies are always a winner worth sharing.