Easy 5-Ingredient Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies: Soft, Fudgy & Quick Recipe!

Get ready to discover your new favorite dessert with these incredibly easy Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies! Made with just 5 simple ingredients and ready in minutes, these soft, fudgy chocolate treats are loaded with rich chocolate chips and crunchy pecans. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe promises perfect results every single time. Say goodbye to complicated baking and hello to the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cookies you’ve ever made!

These chocolate cake mix cookies, bursting with chocolate chips, are not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly simple to prepare. The magic lies in their minimal ingredient list and super easy steps, making them an ideal choice for last-minute cravings, bake sales, or a fun activity with kids. The joy of producing perfectly soft and fudgy cookies with minimal effort is something we can all appreciate and love!

The Wonderful World of Cake Mix Cookies

There’s a reason why baking with a boxed cake mix has become a beloved shortcut in kitchens everywhere. It’s more than just a time-saver; it’s a secret weapon for achieving consistently soft, chewy, and perfectly textured cookies. These chocolate cake mix cookies with butter are a prime example. They offer the rich, deep chocolate flavor you crave, coupled with an irresistible texture that’s both soft and slightly chewy. The addition of chopped pecans introduces a delightful nutty crunch, elevating the entire experience. While nuts are an optional enhancement, we highly recommend including them for that extra special touch that truly sets these cookies apart.

The beauty of using a cake mix is its built-in consistency. The dry ingredients are already perfectly measured and blended, which reduces the chances of errors and guarantees a delicious base every time. This means less measuring, less mess, and more time to enjoy the delightful aroma wafting from your oven. It’s truly a game-changer for quick desserts!

Choosing Your Cake Mix: Brand Matters (or Not!)

When it comes to selecting a chocolate cake mix for these cookies, you have a lot of flexibility. Almost any brand will work beautifully, whether it’s a popular name like Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker, or a reliable store-brand option. The key is to choose a brand of chocolate cake mix that you already enjoy and trust for its flavor profile. Different brands might offer slightly varying levels of sweetness or chocolate intensity, so picking one you’re familiar with ensures you’ll love the outcome. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate cake mix too, such as Devil’s Food, dark chocolate, or even triple chocolate for an extra intense chocolate experience!

Chocolate Chip Choices: Semi-Sweet vs. Milk Chocolate

Absolutely, you can use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet! While both types of chocolate chips will yield delicious results, they will impart distinct flavors to your cookies. Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer a classic, balanced chocolate flavor that isn’t overly sweet, allowing the richness of the chocolate cake mix to shine. Milk chocolate chips, on the other hand, are sweeter and creamier, providing a milder, more comforting chocolate note. Your choice ultimately depends on your personal preference and the flavor profile you’re aiming for. Dark chocolate chips are another fantastic option if you prefer a less sweet, more intense chocolate hit.

Essential Chocolate Cake Mix Cookie Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to these delightful cookies. What makes this recipe so fantastic is its simplicity – you only need five core items, most of which you probably already have in your pantry! Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

• 1 box (18.25 oz) Chocolate Cake Mix: This is the star of our show, providing the foundation for both flavor and texture. It streamlines the baking process by combining all the dry ingredients into one convenient package.
• 2 large eggs: Eggs act as a binder, holding all the ingredients together and contributing to the chewy texture and structure of the cookies. They also add a touch of richness.
• 1/3 cup melted butter (or coconut oil): Melted butter adds incredible richness and helps achieve that desirable fudgy texture. If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative, unrefined coconut oil works beautifully, lending a subtle tropical note that complements the chocolate. Ensure it’s fully melted for proper incorporation.
• 1 heaping cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips: These are essential for bursts of molten chocolate goodness in every bite. A “heaping cup” ensures a generous amount, which is exactly what you want in a chocolate cookie! Feel free to adjust the quantity to your preference or swap for milk or dark chocolate chips.
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans: While optional, pecans add a wonderful crunch and a buttery, nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweet chocolate. If you’re not a fan of pecans, walnuts or even almonds could be used, or simply omit them for a pure chocolate experience.

How to Make Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies: A Simple Guide

Baking these fudgy chocolate cake mix cookies is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet: First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. Next, lightly spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Set it aside.
2. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the entire box of chocolate cake mix with the two eggs. Start mixing these two ingredients together. Once partially combined, add in the 1/3 cup of melted butter (or coconut oil). Continue to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. At this stage, the mixture will be quite thick and resemble a dense dough, not a runny batter.
3. Incorporate the Mix-ins: Now, it’s time to add the delicious extras! Gently fold in the heaping cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and the 1/2 cup of chopped pecans (if using). Stir until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The cookie dough will be firm, which is exactly what you want for perfectly shaped cookies. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until the chocolate chips and pecans are distributed.
4. Scoop and Bake: Using a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), measure out uniform portions of the dough. This ensures consistent baking and even-sized cookies. Place the scooped dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheet, leaving a little space between each to allow for spreading. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies will look slightly soft in the center when they are done, but the edges will be set. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, so keep an eye on them!
5. Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookie sheet from the oven. It’s crucial to let the cookies rest on the hot cookie sheet for another 3-5 minutes. This carryover cooking helps them set properly and become fudgier. After this initial resting period, carefully transfer the cookies to baking racks to cool completely. Allowing them to cool on racks prevents them from becoming soggy on the bottom and helps them firm up to their perfect texture.