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 charming about the soft, tender crumb and vibrant color of this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up these gorgeous cookies that balance a delicate cream cheese tang with sweet powdered sugar—truly a treat worth baking over and over.

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 first made this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe when I needed something quick yet special for a last-minute gathering. It’s amazing how simple ingredients come together into a lusciously soft cookie with that classic red velvet charm. Plus, it’s so forgiving and fast—perfect when you want something impressive without the hassle.

Quick and Easy: This recipe uses store-bought cake mix, cutting down prep time dramatically without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Soft, Moist Texture: Mixing in whipped cream cheese adds a subtle tang and melt-in-your-mouth softness you won’t get from plain cake mix cookies.
Beautiful Presentation: Rolling the dough in powdered sugar creates a pretty, crinkled finish that looks just like fancy bakery treats.
Customizable: You can easily adapt these cookies with mix-ins or flavor twists depending on your mood or occasion.

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 special role to make the perfect chewy, flavorful cookie. Plus, I’ve got some tips on picking the best items so you get consistently delicious results.

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 ingredient - provides that iconic red color, rich cocoa flavor, and the right sweetness and structure for the cookie base.
Large Eggs: Bind the dough and add moisture, helping to create that soft yet sturdy cookie texture.
Whipped Cream Cheese Spread: Adds tanginess and richness, keeping the cookies moist and tender without heaviness. Just make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth incorporation.
Powdered Sugar: Used for coating the cookie dough balls before baking, it forms those signature crackled tops and a sweet outer shell that’s playful and pretty.

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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

While I love the original version as is, this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is a delightful blank canvas. Feel free to tailor it to your personal taste or dietary needs.

Variation: I once added white chocolate chips to the dough which gave a lovely sweet contrast to the tangy cream cheese – seriously decadent!
Dairy-Free Swap: Try a non-dairy cream cheese spread and egg replacer if you need a vegan adaptation; I haven’t tried it myself yet, but it could be worth experimenting.
Seasonal Change: Mix in finely chopped nuts or dried cranberries around the holidays for extra texture and festive flavor.

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

Step 1: Prep and Mix It Up

I always start by preheating my oven to 350°F while I line two baking sheets with parchment paper—makes cleanup a breeze. Then, I beat together the red velvet cake mix, eggs, and room-temperature whipped cream cheese using a stand mixer. It only takes 1-2 minutes until the dough looks soft, sticky, and smooth. This step is crucial: the cream cheese must be smooth to get that lovely texture, so don’t skip letting it warm up at room temp!

Step 2: Coat and Roll Those Dough Balls

Pour powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. Then, using a cookie scoop (I use a 1 ½ tablespoon size for consistent cookies), scoop balls of dough and roll them generously in the sugar. It might feel messy at first, but those sugar-crusted balls bake up with a dazzling cracked surface. Remember to space them 1-2 inches apart on your baking sheet so they don’t stick together.

Step 3: Bake Just Right

Bake for 8-11 minutes—keep an eye closely starting at the 8-minute mark. You want the edges to look set but the center should still be soft; that’s how you get those melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Overbaking will dry them out, so I recommend testing one first or setting a timer.

Step 4: Cool and Enjoy!

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack or dive right in while warm (I’m not judging!). These cookies are lovely fresh but keep their charm for days with the right storage.

Top Tip

From all my batches of this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make these cookies shine every time.

Perfect Cream Cheese Texture: Always soften your cream cheese spread fully before mixing. Cold lumps can ruin the dough texture and make the cookies uneven.
Cookie Scoop Magic: Using a cookie scoop ensures each cookie bakes evenly and looks uniform. I used to eyeball it and ended up with some burnt and some underdone!
Don’t Skip Powdered Sugar: Rolling dough balls in powdered sugar makes a huge difference for the classic crackle appearance and adds a slight crispiness on top.
Watch the Bake Time: Set your timer and check early to avoid drying out the cookies. They’ll firm up as they cool, so pull them slightly soft from the oven.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping a few fresh cookies with a dollop of whipped cream cheese frosting or a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips for an extra festive touch. Sometimes, just dusting with a bit more powdered sugar right before serving adds a snowy effect that looks so cozy.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee or hot cocoa. On special occasions, I serve them alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert that feels indulgent yet effortless.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged these cookies in pretty round tins lined with parchment and festive ribbons. They also make adorable cookie sandwiches with cream cheese frosting in the middle—super fun and even yummier!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover baked cookies at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to 3-5 days. If you plan to keep them longer, cover them well to prevent drying. Refrigerating is an option too, and they’ll hold up to one week that way, though I usually prefer them fresh or frozen.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the unbaked dough (shaped into balls and coated in powdered sugar) and fully baked cookies. For dough, keep it chilled and rolled tightly covered for up to a day before baking. Baked cookies freeze well up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw them at room temp before enjoying—they maintain their soft texture nicely.

Reheating

To warm up frozen or leftover cookies, I pop one in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It softens them perfectly and revives that just-baked freshness. For extra crisp edges, a quick 2-minute bake at 300°F works well too, but watch carefully to avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular cream cheese instead of whipped cream cheese spread?

Yes, you can use regular cream cheese, but be sure it’s softened to room temperature. Whipping it before mixing with the other ingredients helps achieve a lighter dough consistency. The whipped cream cheese spread just blends in more easily and makes the dough less dense.

Do I have to roll the cookie dough in powdered sugar?

Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar is key to getting the classic crackled top that makes these cookies so attractive and gives a slight crispy sweetness on the outside. You could skip this step, but the cookies will look and taste a bit different—less moist and with smoother tops. I highly recommend it!

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Typically, standard red velvet cake mixes contain gluten. To make this recipe gluten-free, look for a certified gluten-free red velvet cake mix. The rest of the ingredients are gluten-free, so just swap the cake mix and follow the recipe as usual.

How do I prevent these cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your cream cheese is whipped and mixed well with the cake mix for a firm cookie dough. Chill the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking if it feels too soft. Also, don’t over-grease your baking sheets and use parchment paper; this helps cookies hold their shape better.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe quickly became one of my favorite go-to sweets because of how effortlessly it combines nostalgic red velvet flavor with a cookie’s cozy comfort. It’s approachable enough for a baking newbie but impressive enough to wow guests. Trust me, once you try these cookies, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy for any time you need a flavorful, soft, and beautiful treat that comes together in a snap. You’ll enjoy making them as much as eating them!