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 (1) box red velvet cake mix; 2 large eggs; ½ cup whipped cream cheese spread; ½ cup powdered sugar

There’s just something irresistible about these soft, buttery bites that melt in your mouth—the perfect red twist on classic cookies. The Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is so simple and quick, but the flavor and texture pack a serious punch, making it a true gem for any cookie lover’s arsenal.

A stack of four thick red velvet cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is round with a cracked surface covered in white powdered sugar, which contrasts with the deep red color of the cookie underneath. The top cookie is bitten in half, revealing a soft, moist inner texture with a rich red color. The stack is tall and slightly uneven, highlighting the cracked powdered sugar pattern on each cookie. In the blurry background, more cookies and a white container are faintly visible. 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

This cookie recipe turned out to be an accidental favorite of mine. When I first made it, I wasn’t expecting much—just wanting to put that leftover red velvet cake mix to good use. But wow, the cream cheese adds this incredible softness and a subtle tang that totally elevates the flavor. Plus, they’re quick to whip up and wonderfully festive!

Simple Ingredients: Uses just a few pantry staples you likely already have, making it super easy for any time baking.
Quick Prep: From start to finish, it’s less than 20 minutes—perfect for busy days or last-minute dessert plans.
Unique Texture: The whipped cream cheese keeps these cookies soft and tender, different from the typical cakey cookie.
Perfect for All Occasions: Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or just because, these red velvet treats brighten any occasion.

A close-up view of several round cookies arranged tightly together on a white marbled surface, showing a cracked texture on top. Each cookie has a deep red base layer, mostly hidden under a thick, uneven layer of white powdered sugar that fills the cracks and crevices, giving a cracked ice or crumbled appearance. The cookies have a soft, slightly rough texture with bright red parts visible through the white topping, creating a striking contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how this recipe cleverly uses a boxed red velvet cake mix to simplify the process, but that’s not all—the whipped cream cheese spread gives the cookies a moist, melt-in-your-mouth quality, which you don’t get with a typical cookie. Each ingredient plays an important role that’s worth knowing as you bake.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red velvet cake mix powder, two whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl containing smooth whipped cream cheese spread, a shallow white ceramic bowl holding fine white powdered sugar, all arranged in perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, 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: Provides the base flavor and beautiful deep red color, along with leavening agents for softness.
Eggs: Bring structure and moisture; using large eggs is key for the right dough consistency.
Whipped cream cheese spread: Adds a subtle tang and luscious creaminess—make sure it’s at room temperature for best mixing.
Powdered sugar: Not just for sweetness—rolling the dough balls in it creates those gorgeous crinkly tops and a delicate sweetness punch.

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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

One of my favorite things about the Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often toss in white chocolate chips for extra sweetness or sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on top before baking to balance flavors—it’s all about making these cookies your happy treat.

Variation: Adding mini chocolate chips enhances the sweetness and texture—I've tried this with great results, especially for family gatherings.

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

Step 1: Prep and Whip Up Your Dough

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this saves cleanup and keeps the cookies from sticking. Then, in a large bowl, I combine the red velvet cake mix, eggs, and cream cheese spread. Using a hand or stand mixer, I beat everything together for about 1 to 2 minutes until the dough is soft and sticky. It's important not to overmix—once it's combined and smooth, you're good to go.

Step 2: Shape the Cookies to Perfection

Next, I pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. Using a cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), I drop balls of dough right into the sugar, then roll them around until they're fully coated. This step gives the cookies those iconic crackly tops and a little extra sweetness. Pop the dough balls onto your parchment-lined trays, spacing them about 1 to 2 inches apart so they have room to spread.

Step 3: Bake Until Just Set

Bake your cookies for 8 to 11 minutes, watching closely toward the end. You want the edges to be set but the centers still soft—this ensures that melt-in-your-mouth texture. When they come out, let them cool for a few minutes on the pan before transferring to a cooling rack or enjoying warm. Trust me, these are wonderful just out of the oven.

Top Tip

From making this Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe several times, I noticed just a few little things really make the difference between good and unforgettable cookies. Here are my tried-and-true tips for success.

Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: It blends seamlessly into the batter and keeps your dough smooth and easy to scoop.
Generous Powdered Sugar Coating: Don’t skimp here—rolling each cookie thoroughly creates those irresistible crackled tops and adds a delicate sweetness.
Even Cookie Sizes: Using a cookie scoop makes baking more uniform, so all cookies finish at the same time and have a consistent texture.
Watch the Bake Time: Overbaking turns these cookies dry and crumbly—pull them when edges look set but centers still soft for perfect chewiness.

How to Serve Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—just a light dusting of extra powdered sugar looks lovely and complements the rich red color. For a festive touch, I’ve sprinkled some crushed peppermint or even edible glitter around the holidays, which adds a little sparkle and fun without overpowering the classic flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a warm latte. I’ve also served them alongside vanilla bean ice cream for an easy and impressive dessert combo that my guests always rave about.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack these cookies on a pretty cake stand layered with parchment doilies and fresh berries. Another fun idea is decorating the edges with white chocolate drizzle or dipping half of each cookie in melted chocolate and letting them harden—makes them look fancy with zero extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store my leftover cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If I plan to keep them longer than that, I cover them tightly or refrigerate, which keeps them fresh for about a week without drying out.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works wonderfully! I let the baked cookies cool completely, then layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy, I just thaw them at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.

Reheating

To bring your cookies back to that freshly-baked softness, I recommend reheating for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t get too warm and chewy. This quick reheating softly revives their texture and flavor like magic.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Yes! Regular cream cheese will work, but make sure to soften it completely at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough. Whipped cream cheese is lighter and blends quickly, but softened cream cheese gives similar results.

How do I prevent these cookies from spreading too much while baking?

To keep your cookies from spreading too much, make sure your dough is well chilled if possible, and don’t over-grease your baking sheets—parchment paper works best. Using a cookie scoop helps keep the dough portions firm and uniform, so they bake evenly without running together.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

This recipe relies on cream cheese spread for its unique texture, so a direct vegan swap is a bit tricky. However, you could experiment with plant-based cream cheese alternatives and vegan cake mixes. Just keep in mind texture and flavor might differ slightly.

How do I store the cookie dough if I want to bake these later?

You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance. After mixing, cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, scoop the dough balls, roll in powdered sugar, and bake as usual. This method helps develop flavor and manage your baking schedule.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe quickly became one of my go-to treats because it’s so easy and reliably delicious. I hope you’ll enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do. Whether you’re preparing them for a holiday, a cozy afternoon, or a sweet pick-me-up, these cookies feel like a little love in every bite.