Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies are the perfect treat to brighten up your holiday season. Soft, colorful, and coated in powdered sugar, they bring both charm and deliciousness to any celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (13.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
- Red gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix until a smooth, thick dough forms.
- Step 2: Split the dough into two equal portions. In separate bowls, add red gel food coloring to one portion and green gel food coloring to the other. Mix well until the colors are vibrant and evenly distributed.
- Step 3: Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm the dough.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Step 5: Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into balls. Then roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Step 6: Arrange the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 7: Bake for 9-11 minutes until the cookies are crinkled and set around the edges, but the centers remain soft.
- Step 8: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Tips & Variations
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough for extra flavor depth.
- Mix in white chocolate chips for a sweeter, textured bite.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors that don’t affect dough consistency.
- Make smaller or larger balls to adjust cookie size, adjusting baking time as needed.
Storage
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread inside the container, which helps maintain moisture. If needed, warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
Yes, but gel food coloring provides more vibrant colors with less liquid, so regular liquid coloring might slightly change the dough’s texture.
Can these cookies be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Print
Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Celebrate the holidays with these festive red and green crinkle cookies! Made from a white cake mix base and colored with vibrant gel food coloring, these soft, chewy cookies are coated in powdered sugar for a beautiful crinkled finish. Perfect for Christmas gatherings, these easy-to-make cookies bring a pop of color and a deliciously sweet treat to your holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (13.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Red gel food coloring (as needed)
- Green gel food coloring (as needed)
Coating
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Optional Add-ins
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- White chocolate chips (amount to taste)
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir until a smooth, thick dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough evenly into two separate bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl and green gel food coloring to the other. Mix each thoroughly until the colors are vibrant and even throughout.
- Chill the Dough: Cover both bowls tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm it up, which helps with shaping the cookies.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop 1 tablespoon portions of dough from each colored batch and roll them into balls. Thoroughly coat each ball in powdered sugar by rolling them until completely covered.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set and the tops appear crinkled. Avoid overbaking to keep the centers soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest on it for 2-3 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
- Optional Enhancements: For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract when mixing the dough or fold in white chocolate chips prior to chilling the dough.
Notes
- Using gel food coloring ensures vibrant, intense colors without altering the dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for easier handling and to prevent spreading during baking.
- Do not overbake cookies to maintain a soft, chewy center with crinkled, slightly crisp edges.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For added sweetness and texture, try mixing in white chocolate chips or a splash of vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: festive cookies, holiday cookies, crinkle cookies, red and green cookies, easy Christmas cookies, cake mix cookies
