Easy & Festive Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: Your Go-To 4th of July Dessert!
Get ready to impress everyone at your next Fourth of July celebration with these incredibly easy and utterly delicious red velvet cake mix cookies! Bursting with patriotic flair, these vibrant cookies are made effortlessly using a boxed cake mix and adorned with festive red, white, and blue M&M’s. Every single bite offers a perfect blend of rich red velvet flavor, a delightful chewy texture, and a touch of sparkling sugar, making them an absolute hit for any summer gathering. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, heading to a picnic, or simply enjoying fireworks with family, these homemade treats promise to be a highlight.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly and beautifully these easy 4th of July cookies come together. Crafting these delectable red velvet cookies from a simple cake mix recipe is a brilliant shortcut, significantly cutting down on your food prep time. This means more precious moments spent with loved ones, enjoying lively conversations, and marveling at spectacular fireworks displays. The best part? Each batch yields a generous amount of these eye-catching red, white, and blue cookies, ensuring you have plenty to share with all your guests. Their vibrant appearance and irresistible taste make them not just a dessert, but a centerpiece of your holiday spread. Plus, the minimal effort required means even novice bakers can achieve bakery-quality results!
Celebrating with Patriotic 4th of July Cookies
The Fourth of July is a cherished national holiday in America, commemorating the declaration of independence and the birth of the United States as its own sovereign nation. Since July 4th, 1776, Americans have celebrated this monumental day in myriad ways, evolving over centuries. Today, common traditions include illuminating the night sky with dazzling fireworks, gathering for festive meals with family and friends, and showcasing national pride through decorations and themed treats. These delicious red velvet M&M cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a symbol of the joy and unity that the holiday brings. Their patriotic colors instantly elevate any celebration, adding a touch of homemade warmth to your festivities. Bringing a tray of these vibrant cookies to any holiday party is an excellent way to contribute to the festive atmosphere and share a taste of Americana.
Essential Ingredients for Your Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Creating these delightful patriotic cookies requires just a handful of basic ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The magic truly begins with a simple box of cake mix, transforming into soft, chewy cookies with minimal fuss. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to bake these fantastic red velvet 4th of July cookies:
- Red Velvet Cake Mix: You will need one standard 15.25-ounce box of red velvet cake mix. Any brand will work perfectly. The beauty of this recipe is its versatility; feel free to experiment with other cake mix flavors of the same size if you wish to try a different base! Remember, only the dry mix is needed for this recipe – do not prepare it into cake batter. This shortcut is what makes these cookies so incredibly simple.
- Vegetable Oil: A mere ⅓ cup of vegetable oil is crucial for achieving that perfectly soft, moist, and tender cookie texture. The oil provides essential fats that ensure your cookies don’t turn out dry or crumbly, contributing to their irresistible chewiness.
- Large Eggs: Two large eggs act as the primary binder in our cookie dough. They help bring all the ingredients together, creating a cohesive dough with the ideal consistency for scooping and rolling. Eggs also add richness and contribute to the cookies’ structure.
- Patriotic M&M’s: You’ll need 1 cup of red, white, and blue patriotic-colored M&M’s. These candies are not just for decoration; they add a wonderful chocolatey crunch and vibrant burst of color to every cookie. This amount is roughly equivalent to half of a standard large bag of M&M’s. If you can’t find patriotic M&M’s, regular ones will work just fine, though the festive look will be slightly different.
- Granulated Sugar: About ½ cup of granulated sugar is used for rolling the cookie dough balls before baking. This step is optional but highly recommended as it gives the cookies a beautiful, sparkly finish and adds a delightful subtle crunch to the exterior.
How to Make Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple instructions to bake a batch of heavenly red velvet patriotic cookies that will disappear from the plate in no time. This recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor, perfect for busy holiday preparations.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, or using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the dry red velvet cake mix, vegetable oil, and two large eggs. Beat these ingredients together on a medium speed until they are thoroughly combined and form a smooth, vibrant red dough. Be careful not to overmix; just enough until everything is incorporated.
- Fold in M&M’s: Gently fold in half of your red, white, and blue M&M’s into the cookie dough. This ensures an even distribution of the candies throughout the cookies, providing that festive burst of color and chocolatey goodness.
- Chill the Dough: This step is crucial for the texture and shape of your cookies. Transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for exactly 60 minutes. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they retain their delightful puffy shape and remain soft and chewy. (See recipe card notes for more details on chilling time.)
- Prepare for Baking: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Portion and Roll: Once the dough is adequately chilled, use a medium-sized cookie scoop to portion out uniform amounts of dough. Gently roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms. Then, roll these dough balls generously in the granulated sugar you prepared earlier, coating them completely. This sugar coating adds a beautiful sparkle and a slight crispness to the cookie exterior.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sugared dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring you leave at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for proper spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes. It’s incredibly important not to overbake these cookies! They will look slightly puffy and appear slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven, but they will continue to set and finish cooking as they cool on the hot baking sheet. This technique is key to achieving their signature soft and chewy texture.
- Add Final Touch: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press the remaining half of the M&M’s onto the tops of the warm cookies. This makes them look even more appealing and ensures the candies adhere nicely.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period on the baking sheet helps them firm up without becoming hard. Once fully cooled, these festive treats are ready to be devoured!
Enjoy!
4th of July Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
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Ingredients
- 15.25 oz Red Velvet Cake Mix
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup M&M candies Red, White & Blue
- ½ cup granulated sugar for coating
Instructions
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Add the cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs to a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat until combined.
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Fold in half of the M&M’s.
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Chill the dough for 60 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out the dough and gently roll into balls. Then roll the balls in the sugar to coat. Place the balls of dough on the prepared baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. Do not over bake these cookies, they will look puffy and slightly underdone, but they will finish cooking on the baking sheet after coming out of the oven.
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Press the M&M’s into the tops of the cookies right after they come out of the oven, then let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Nutrition
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cake Mix Cookies
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cake Mix CookiesCan You Freeze Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies?
Absolutely! These delightful cake mix cookies are perfect for making ahead of time and freezing for later enjoyment, making them ideal for holiday meal prep. To freeze them, ensure the cookies have cooled completely to room temperature after baking. Once cool, place them in a single layer in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. They’ll taste just as fresh and delicious as the day they were baked!
What if My Cake Mix Cookie Dough is Too Wet?
Occasionally, you might find that your cake mix cookie dough turns out a bit wetter or stickier than expected. This can happen for a few reasons, but the most common one is using a cake mix box that is a slightly different weight than the recommended 15.25 ounces. Cake mix boxes can sometimes vary in size, even if they look similar on the shelf. If your dough feels too wet to handle and roll, don’t worry! You can easily adjust the consistency by adding in about ¼ cup of all-purpose flour to the dough while mixing. Add it gradually until the dough reaches a pliable, scoopable consistency that’s easy to work with. This small addition will help absorb excess moisture without significantly altering the flavor or texture of the cookies.
How Long Do Cake Mix Cookies Last?
In our house, these cake mix cookies never last very long – we have a family full of cookie enthusiasts! However, if you manage to keep a few from disappearing instantly, you can store them to maintain their freshness. Once completely cooled, place your cookies in a Ziploc baggie or an airtight container. They will stay fresh and delicious at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, as mentioned, freezing is an excellent option.
Can I customize these Patriotic Red Velvet Cookies?
Absolutely! While the red, white, and blue M&M’s are perfect for the 4th of July, these red velvet cake mix cookies are incredibly versatile. You can swap out the M&M’s for other mix-ins to suit any occasion or personal preference. Consider white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or even a mix of sprinkles in different colors. For a richer flavor, you could add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough. The base red velvet cake mix offers a fantastic foundation for all sorts of creative additions.
Why is chilling the cookie dough important?
Chilling the cookie dough is a critical step for several reasons, especially with cake mix cookies. First, it firms up the butter or oil in the dough, preventing the cookies from spreading too thinly and quickly during baking. This helps them maintain a lovely, puffy shape. Second, chilling allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more pronounced and delicious taste. Third, it makes the dough easier to handle, scoop, and roll into perfect balls, ensuring consistent cookie size and texture. Don’t skip this step for the best results!
More Festive & Easy Cookie Recipes to Try
If you loved these simple and delicious red velvet cake mix cookies, you’re in for a treat! Here are more fantastic cookie recipes, including other patriotic delights and creative cake mix ideas, perfect for any occasion:
Patriotic Favorites:
- EASY 4TH OF JULY COOKIES – Discover another quick and festive recipe ideal for celebrating Independence Day.
- SWIRLED PATRIOTIC COOKIE BARS – A fun and colorful bar cookie recipe that’s great for feeding a crowd.
Creative Cake Mix Cookie Ideas:
- CAKE MIX PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS – A classic cookie made easier with cake mix.
- CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE MIX COOKIES – Indulgent and gooey, these are a chocolate lover’s dream.
- CARAMEL APPLE CAKE MIX COOKIES – A delightful autumnal twist on the cake mix cookie.
- CARAMEL SPICE CAKE MIX COOKIES – Warm spices and sweet caramel in a convenient cookie form.
- STRAWBERRY CAKE MIX COOKIES – Sweet, fruity, and beautifully pink!
- CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE MIX COOKIES – The ultimate flavor combination in a simple cookie.
- CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX COOKIES – Rich, fudgy, and incredibly easy chocolate cookies.
- MINT CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX COOKIES – A refreshing and indulgent treat.
- VALENTINES CAKE MIX COOKIES – Perfect for spreading love on Valentine’s Day or any day!
