Name: Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 1 h 24 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large eggs; 1/3 cup vegetable oil or canola oil; 1 box (16 ounces) white or confetti cake mix; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles or jimmies; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 4 ounces original brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted if lumpy; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Food coloring of choice, optional; 1/4 cup confetti sprinkles or rainbow sprinkles for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 12 reviews

If you’ve ever craved the perfect blend of colorful celebration and chewy cookie comfort, you’re in for a treat today. This Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is hands down one of my favorite quick and cheerful bakes that you can whip up any time you need a pop of joy. Think soft, fluffy cookies bursting with sprinkles and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting—basically portable happiness in cookie form. Stick with me here, and I’ll share my tried-and-true tips to make these little delights just right every single time.

🧡

Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity Meets Celebration: Uses cake mix as a base to cut down preparation time while still delivering that festive funfetti charm.
Moist, Soft Texture: The addition of oil and a hint of baking powder ensures chewy softness without toughness.
Cream Cheese Frosting Magic: The tangy, creamy frosting contrasts perfectly with the sweet, sprinkle-studded cookie for balance.
Flexibility & Crowd-Pleasing: Quick to make, perfect for last-minute treats, and easily tailored with your favorite sprinkles or colors.

Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies, colorful cake mix cookies with sprinkles, easy funfetti cookie recipe, chewy funfetti dessert, quick festive cookies - Six soft round cookies are shown on a white marbled surface lined with brown parchment paper and a wire cooling rack. Each cookie has one thick, creamy white frosting layer swirled on top, covering nearly the entire cookie. The frosting is dotted with colorful round confetti sprinkles in red, purple, orange, aqua blue, and white, scattered both on the frosting and the paper around the cookies. At the bottom right corner, a white piping bag with a metal tip is partly visible as if it was just used to decorate the cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Now, let’s chat about the ingredients that come together to make this Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe a winner. Using a boxed cake mix is the secret shortcut, but the eggs and oil add moisture and lift so the cookies don’t end up dry or crumbly. The sprinkles bring that signature party vibe, and the frosting is the final touch that takes these cookies over the top.

Large eggs: They bind everything together while adding richness and moisture to the dough.
Vegetable or canola oil: I prefer neutral oils here to keep the flavor focused on the cake base and sprinkles without heaviness.
White or confetti cake mix: This is your flavor canvas—you can use classic white or funfetti versions. I usually grab Pillsbury Funfetti for that extra sprinkle punch inside the dough.
Baking powder: Just a bit of extra rise to keep the cookies thick and soft, especially since cake mix alone can sometimes flatten out.
Rainbow sprinkles or jimmies: Use your favorite brand—something sturdy and non-bleeding works best to keep your cookies bright and pretty.
Unsalted butter: Essential for the smooth, creamy frosting and to control the salt levels precisely.
Original brick-style cream cheese: Don’t swap this for whipped or spreadable cream cheese—it really affects texture and flavor!
Confectioners’ sugar: Adds sweetness and smoothness to the frosting without any graininess.
Vanilla extract: A little warmth in the frosting that deepens the overall flavor experience.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors overall.
Food coloring (optional): If you want to get playful, add a drop or two to tint your frosting—fun for themed parties!

📝

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.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe my own with a few simple tweaks, and I encourage you to do the same. It’s such a forgiving dough, so feel free to experiment with different sprinkle types or frosting colors. If you like things a little richer or want to cut sugar, you can adjust frosting sweetness or even swap in alternative sprinkles that suit your style or dietary needs.

Extra crunch: Sometimes I add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for texture—just fold them in gently after the sprinkles.
Flavor boosts: A teaspoon of almond extract in the frosting is one little twist I adore for extra depth.
Dietary swaps: Use gluten-free cake mix or dairy-free cream cheese alternatives if you need to, but the texture will shift a bit.
Food coloring fun: For holiday or themed parties, tinting the frosting pastel pinks, blues, or greens always gets rave reviews.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together wet ingredients

Start by cracking two large eggs into a big mixing bowl, then add your vegetable or canola oil. Whisk them together until they’re perfectly combined—this helps the batter have an even texture and shine before you dump in the dry ingredients.

Step 2: Mix in the cake mix and baking powder

Next, pour in the entire box of cake mix along with a teaspoon of baking powder for extra lift. Stir gently until everything starts to come together in a thick dough. It’s tempting to overmix here, but resist! You want to fold in the ingredients without breaking down the sprinkles or overdeveloping any gluten.

Step 3: Fold in the sprinkles

This is the fun part—add about a quarter cup of those colorful rainbow sprinkles and fold them lightly into the dough. I usually use trusted brands like Betty Crocker to avoid bleeding colors, which can turn your cookies a bit muddy. You want those sprinkles to stay vibrant as they bake.

Step 4: Chill the dough for best results

This step might feel like an extra wait, but chilling your dough in the fridge for about an hour really helps your cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too thin during baking. I often prepare dough in the morning and bake in the evening—it’s such a game changer!

Step 5: Scoop and bake the cookies

Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop or two tablespoons to portion out the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment or Silpat mats. Make sure to space them well—you don’t want these cookies crowding each other as they puff up. I bake six per sheet for the best shape. Bake at 350°F for about 9 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even baking. When you pull them out, they might look a little underdone, but trust me, they’ll set up perfectly as they cool.

Step 6: Prepare the luscious frosting

While your cookies cool, whip together soft unsalted butter and brick-style cream cheese until fluffy with a mixer. Then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, whisking until the frosting is creamy and smooth. You can add food coloring here if you want a pop of color—baby pink is a classic Crumbl look, but I love leaving it pure and creamy too.

Step 7: Frost and garnish your cookies

Transfer your frosting into a piping bag—or if you prefer, simply spread it on with a knife. Starting from the center, swirl outwards for that professional look. Then sprinkle a few confetti sprinkles on top, matching the good vibes inside and out. If you want to save money, pick rainbow sprinkles you can use both in the dough and as the garnish—it’s an easy win!

💡

Pro Tips for Making Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough not only controls spreading but also lets the flavors mellow—don’t skip this if you want thick, chewy cookies.
Rotate Your Baking Sheets: Ovens can bake unevenly, so switching cookie sheets and rotating them halfway through promotes even browning.
Use High-Quality Sprinkles: I’ve learned that premium sprinkles don’t bleed colors, keeping the cookies as pretty as they taste.
Don’t Overbake: Cookies look soft and slightly undercooked right out of the oven—that’s perfect. They firm up while cooling, so your cookie won’t be dry.

How to Serve Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple with garnishes—just a sprinkle of the same rainbow confetti on top for visual continuity. Sometimes I like to dust a tiny shimmer of edible pearl dust on the frosting for a subtle sparkle when serving to guests. It’s a fun little touch for birthdays or celebrations.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or even a fruity iced tea. If you’re hosting a brunch or tea party, put out fresh berries or a fruit platter alongside for a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to brighten up parties is to arrange these Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies on tiered dessert stands paired with pastel cupcakes or mini cheesecakes — it creates an irresistible colorful dessert spread. I also love packaging them individually in clear treat bags tied with ribbon as sweet little gifts or party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover frosted cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I find stacking them makes the frosting stick together and get messy, so one layer is key. If you prefer, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days, which helps keep the frosting fresh on warmer days.

Freezing

I usually freeze the cookies unfrosted since the frosting doesn’t freeze well. Once baked and cooled, lay them flat in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking. Frozen cookies hold up wonderfully for up to 2 months—just thaw them at room temp before frosting and serving.

Reheating

If you want freshly baked cookie warmth, I pop the unfrosted thawed cookie in a 300°F oven for about 3-5 minutes. For frosted cookies, I recommend serving them at room temperature to keep the frosting’s texture just right, or enjoy the contrast cold right from the fridge.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cake mix for this recipe?

Absolutely! White or confetti cake mixes are best for that classic funfetti appearance, but you can try yellow or even chocolate cake mixes for a twist. Just keep in mind the cookie texture might vary slightly, and chocolate might make the sprinkles less vivid.
Why do the cookies spread too much sometimes?

If your cookies spread too thin, chilling the dough for at least an hour before baking is a lifesaver. Also, avoid crowding the baking sheet, and use a cookie scoop to keep portions even. Using a bit of baking powder ensures they stay thick and soft.
Can I skip the cream cheese frosting?

Sure thing! The cookies themselves are tasty without frosting, but the cream cheese frosting adds that perfect balance of tang and richness. If you want a shortcut, store-bought cream cheese frosting works fine, though piping might be tricky.
How do I prevent sprinkles from bleeding color in the dough?

Using higher quality or brand-name sprinkles like Betty Crocker or Wilton is key since they’re less likely to bleed when mixed into the batter or on the frosting. Also, folding sprinkles in gently helps keep them intact and colorful.

Final Thoughts

You know, what makes this Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Recipe so special to me isn’t just the colors or flavors—it’s how effortlessly it brings a little celebration into our everyday kitchen. Whether it’s a last-minute party, a rainy-day pick-me-up, or just a reason to smile, these cookies deliver every time. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a household favorite you reach for again and again.