These easy 15-minute Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are moist, soft, and irresistibly delicious. Simple to make and perfect for Valentine's Day, Christmas, or whenever you're craving a sweet treat with minimal effort.
There’s something about red velvet that makes any occasion feel a little bit more special. Whether you’re baking for a romantic Valentine’s Day, Galentine's day party, or adding festive flair to your Christmas dessert table, these cookies deliver every single time.
While I love traditional cookies, like these gluten free chocolate chip cookies, I’ve found that cake mix recipes like this one cut down on prep time while still delivering on that classic ooey gooey cookie flavor. And just like these Christmas cookie recipes and these chocolate crinkle cookies, they're easy and great for little hands to help out with.
If you’re like me and enjoy versatility, you’ll love that these cookies can be customized for any season. Add green sprinkles for a Christmas vibe, or drizzle them with dark chocolate for a hauntingly good Halloween treat.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Little effort, lots of flavor: The cake mix and pudding mix takes the guesswork and effort out of baking. Giving you a delicious, consistent result every time.
- Perfect texture: The pudding mix and butter gives you an ooey gooey cookie that's the perfect texture.
- Versatile for many occasions: Add green sprinkles, decorate for halloween, or serve as a Valentine's treat. The choice is yours!
- Kid friendly: With minimal ingredients and easy to follow steps, this recipe is great for getting the kids involved.
Ingredients you'll need
- Cake mix: I use gluten free cake mix but you can use any type of vanilla cake mix.
- Chocolate Pudding Mix: Adds a rich, gooey texture to the cookies.
- Butter: Softened butter works best
- Eggs
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Creamy, tangy, and perfectly complements the red velvet flavor.
What brand of gluten free cake mix works best?
King Arthur Baking Company's Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Mix and Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Vanilla Yellow Cake Mix are some of my favorite gluten free cake mix options. But, Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury offer excellent gluten-free options that will work well.
How to make red velvet cake mix cookies
Prepare: Heat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, softened butter, food coloring, and eggs.
Shape: Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop the cookie dough and roll into 1 inch balls.
Bake: Place dough on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are set. While the cookies are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
Frost: Once cooled, spread or pipe cream cheese frosting on top and garnish with sprinkles, if desired.
Pro tip: Throw in some white chocolate chips when mixing the red velvet cookie dough for pops of white chocolate.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes, you can make these red velvet cake mix cookies dairy free. Simply swap the butter for vegan butter and the cream cheese for dairy-free cream cheese. This may slightly alter the taste and texture, but they will still be delicious.
How do I decorate these cookies for different holidays?
Valentine's Day: Use heart-shaped candies or use red icing to decorate with hearts.
Christmas: Top with red and green sprinkles or even add green food coloring to the frosting.
Halloween: Skip the red food dye and drizzle black or orange icing for a spooky twist.
Storage and make ahead
Leftovers: If you happen to have leftover cookies, store them in an airtight container or ziplock baggie at room temperature for up to 3 days. Layer with parchment paper if you're stacking the cookies to prevent sticking.
Make ahead: To save yourself some time in the kitchen, you can prepare the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before baking.
More Valentine's Recipes You'll Love
- Valentine's Charcuterie Board
- Valentine's mocktails
- Gluten-free valentine's recipes
- Dessert nachos with vegan chocolate sauce
- Frose mocktail
- Cherry Chip Cookies
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15-Minute Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies (Gluten Free Option)
Ingredients
- 17 ounces gluten-free vanilla cake mix
- 1 box chocolate pudding mix
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons red food coloring
Cream cheese frosting
- 4 ounces butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- .5 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla
Instructions
Red Velvet Cookies
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Combine the dry cake mix, dry chocolate pudding mix, butter, food coloring, and eggs in a stand mixer and mix well
- Scoop dough with a mini cookie (ice cream) scoop and roll dough into 1" balls
- Place sprinkles in separate bowl and roll cookie dough balls in them
- Place balls on a silicone-mat-lined baking sheet and bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly brown and still soft to the touch on top (I like them a little undercooked)
- Remove cookies from the oven and let rest for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together using a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Once all the sugar is combined, increase the speed and beat until the frosting is fluffy.
- Pour in the vanilla extract and mix.
- If the frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk or cream at a time until the desired consistency is reached. For thicker frosting, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Spread or pipe the frosting onto completely cooled cookies.
Notes
Storage and make ahead
Leftovers: If you happen to have leftover cookies, store them in an airtight container or ziplock baggie at room temperature for up to 3 days. Layer with parchment paper if you're stacking the cookies to prevent sticking. Make ahead: To save yourself some time in the kitchen, you can prepare the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before baking.Nutrition
This post was originally posted on February 11, 2021, but has been updated on August 8, 2022 with new tips and information.
Diana Cote says
These look great but so do all the others. I think I will have to make the cookie pizza with fruit just because my daughter would go bananas, the smoothie bowl for me and the cookies & cupcakes for my daughters class. hahaha
Darissa Perry says
I would love this! What a wonderful giveaway! But I'm dying to try your Red Velvet Cookies. That is something I've never made. I enjoy your website with all your recipes! And your book! Thanks!
Suzanne says
The cookies look yummy!!! I'd pick the RED Kitchen Aid mixer, if asked!!
Paula M says
I need to try these! All of these treats look quite yummy
Paula M says
I need to try these! All of these treats look yummy.
Joan M says
Oh WoW - Cookies look so yummy! Can't wait.
Chandice says
Thank you Joan, I hope you love them as much as we did! 🙂
Shannon says
Yum! I ordered namaste cake mix from amazon so I can make these this week.
Chandice says
Awesome, can't wait to hear how they turn out Shannon! 🙂
Sonya says
I found your blog from Tracy at Delightfully Free 🙂
Chandice says
Oh yay, I love Tracy! She is truly one of the sweetest people EVER! Welcome 🙂
Brittany @ Sweet Note Bakery says
Would love the teal mixer! #dreamy
Suzanne says
Thank goodness for this site, and for the chance to win this Kitchenaid Mixer. My health is SO much better, and I now have my entire family eating Gluten Free (even though they don't have to).
Chandice says
That is so great to hear Suzanne! I think eating naturally clean is always best for our bodies.
shauna says
I need to try Namaste!
Emily says
Great giveaway!
Missy M. says
Those cookies look so yummy and I'll have to try some of the other recipes too!
Chandice says
Thanks Missy, we couldn't stop eating them so hopefully you enjoy them too! 🙂
Sharalyn Anderson says
These cookies look delicious. 🙂 Sooooo Yummy.
I love the taste of red velvet.
Chandice says
Me too Sharalyn!
Genie says
I love red velvet cake (actually where I come from we call it something else, but I still love it,) Cookies are even better!
Chandice says
Thanks Genie, it's a fun flavor especially for Valentines. 🙂
Julie says
Those Red Velvet Cookies looks so good. I love Red Velvet cake, and I know I'd love these.
Chandice says
Thanks Julie, I think you will too! 😉
Elle @ Only Taste Matters says
These cookies look amazing! Can't wait to try them!
Chandice says
Thanks Elle, I definitely can't wait to try all of you gals recipes as well!
Deb Eberspacher says
These look delicious
Chandice says
Thanks Deb! 🙂
Todd Bliss says
This would be awesome to win
Chandice says
Such a fun giveaway with some of my favorite bloggers!
Kathy says
These look delicious!
Chandice says
Thanks so much Kathy!! 🙂