Perfect for any occasion, these rainbow cake mix cookies come together with white cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and up to six different colors of your choice.

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Colorful rainbow cake mix cookies.

About Rainbow Cake Mix Cookies

Cake mix cookies are perfect for curing your cookie cravings in a flash, and these rainbow cake mix cookies take this classic baking shortcut to the next level with a pop of fun, vibrant colors.

And better yet, you can customize the colors to match any event or holiday that could use a batch of these easy, delicious cookies.

How many different colors can you use?

The cookies pictured here went for a rainbow look, but you can customize this by using any color (or type) of food coloring that you’d like.

However, for best results, try to keep it between two and six different colors. This will ensure you have enough workable dough for each color.

A cake mix cookie with a bite taken out.

Do you have to chill the dough?

While this recipe doesn’t contain the specific ingredients that benefit from chilling (such as butter) it’s still extremely important to chill the dough for these cookies as it will help make the dough workable.

Assembling these cookies involves shaping and rolling different colors of dough together, and when first prepared, the dough will be too soft to do this. Chilling the dough will firm it up and allow for better handling.

In addition, chilling will also have some impact on the baked cookies – and because of this, it’s extremely important that the dough be chilled for at least 45 minutes but no longer than one hour. When chilled for the recommended amount of time, the cookies will puff up while baking and have a soft, chewy texture. If chilled for more than one hour, the finished cookies may turn out hard, crunchy, or crumbly, breaking apart at the seams of the different colors.

How long are cake mix cookies good for?

Once prepared, these cookies can be stored in a sealed container on the counter for up to one week.

Can you freeze rainbow cake mix cookies?

Yes, you absolutely can!

For best results, allow the cookies to cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer (without touching) on a baking sheet or large plate. Freeze the cookies first, then once completely chilled, they can be transferred to a sealed container or freezer bag of your choice. If possible, separate layers of cookies with wax paper or parchment paper.

When stored correctly, baked cookies can be frozen for up to three months.

A stack of colorful cake mix cookies.

Notes & tips for rainbow cake mix cookies

  • If you’re doing a lot of baking, I highly recommend having some silicone baking mats on hand. Baking cookies takes enough time without having to cut or measure parchment paper. Or if you prefer using parchment paper, you can try using pre-cut parchment paper sheets instead.
  • Plus, some quality baking sheets are a must for a cookie baking extravaganza!
  • For this recipe, I highly recommend using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. This recipe would be difficult to make by hand with a whisk.

More Tasty cookie recipes

How to make rainbow cake mix cookies

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip together the following ingredients: white cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs.

Step 2 – Separate the bowls into separate bowls, one for each color. Add the food coloring and thoroughly mix it in.

Step 3 – Chill the dough for at least 45 minutes but no longer than one hour.

Step 4 – Assemble the cookies by pinching a dab of dough from each color and forming a small pile. Use a cookie scoop to scoop up the pile, roll the dough into a ball, then drop the cookie ball into sugar, tossing it to coat. Place the prepared cookie dough ball on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat this step until all the dough has been used.

Step 5 – Bake!

Step 6 – Allow cookies to cool on a wire cooling rack.

Step 7 – Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Details

Colorful rainbow cake mix cookies.
4.75 from 4 votes

Rainbow Cake Mix Cookies

30 minutes prep + 9 minutes cook + 1 hour Chilling Time
114 kcal
Yields: 24 cookies
Perfect for any occasion, these rainbow cake mix cookies come together with white cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and up to six different colors of your choice.

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip together cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs until combined.
  • Divide the batter into individual bowls for each color, then mix in your desired food coloring. TIP: For best color distribution, use a hand mixer fitted with a single beater.
  • Cover bowls and chill dough for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Do not chill the dough for longer than 1 hour.
  • When ready to assemble cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then set aside. Lay down another piece of parchment paper (or another disposable, cleanable surface) so that you can work the dough. Remove bowls of cookie dough from the refrigerator and place sugar in a bowl. Set both nearby.
  • From each bowl, scoop up 1-2 teaspoons of cookie dough and place the pieces together in a pile on your prepared work area. After a dab of dough from each color has been added, use a cookie scoop to scoop up the dough pile, then gently roll it between your hands for form a ball. Drop the cookie ball in sugar, then toss to coat. Place cookie dough ball on prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Repeat this step until all dough is used.
  • Bake cookies for 8 to 9 minutes or until slightly puffy. Cookies may appear underdone; this is okay, as they will continue to bake while resting. Be careful not to overbake cookies.
  • Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.

Author: Chrisy