Confetti Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

I’m super excited to share this fan-freaking-tastic Confetti Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe that’s become an absolute favorite in my kitchen. These cookies are soft, colorful, and topped with that luscious cream cheese frosting that just melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cozy afternoon treat, or just because, this recipe will win you over—and I’m here to help you master it from start to finish!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients work together to create a tender cookie with a soft crumb and that iconic sweetness you want from a confetti treat. I always recommend using good-quality cake mix and real cream cheese for the best results. Let me walk you through why each element matters.

• Large eggs: They help bind everything together and add moisture for soft, chewy cookies.
• Vegetable or canola oil: Oil keeps the cookies tender and moist, more than butter would here.
• Cake mix (white or confetti): This is the base flavor and sweetness—white cake mix is classic, but confetti adds extra fun color and flavor.
• Baking powder: A little extra lift so the cookies aren’t flat and maintain a soft, pillowy texture.
• Rainbow sprinkles or jimmies: For that signature confetti look and little bursts of sweetness; I prefer brands that don’t bleed color.
• Unsalted butter: The rich base for the frosting that balances the tangy cream cheese.
• Original brick-style cream cheese: Essential for that creamy, smooth frosting texture—avoid spreads or whipped varieties.
• Confectioners’ sugar: For a silky, smooth frosting that’s easy to pipe or spread.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the frosting’s flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch to cut sweetness and enhance flavor.
• Optional food coloring: If you want to add a fun tint to your frosting, but the classic look is beautiful too.
• Extra sprinkles for garnish: To top the frosting and make these cookies feel extra festive.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Confetti Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how adaptable it is. You can easily tweak the frosting color or swap sprinkles to suit any party theme or mood. Feel free to get creative and make it truly yours!

• Variation: I once added a touch of lemon zest to the cookie dough for a tangy twist that pairs amazingly with the cream cheese frosting.
• Dietary adjustment: For a dairy-free version, you could try vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes—just be sure to test for consistency as frosting texture may vary.
• Seasonal changes: Swap rainbow sprinkles for themed colors during holidays like pastel tones for Easter or red and green for Christmas.
• Frosting style: If piping isn’t your thing, spreading the frosting works just as well and gives a rustic homemade vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Confetti Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Whisking the Wet Ingredients

Start by cracking two large eggs into a big bowl, then add ⅓ cup of vegetable or canola oil. Whisk these together until they’re nicely combined—this little step ensures your cookies will have that perfect moist texture. It’s super quick but don’t skip it!

Step 2: Incorporating the Cake Mix and Baking Powder

Next, add in your 16-ounce box of cake mix—white or confetti, your call—and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Stir gently until just combined. Overmixing here can make your cookies tough, so fold carefully with a spatula to keep them tender and light.

Step 3: Folding in Sprinkles and Chilling

Gently fold ¼ cup of rainbow sprinkles into your dough—bring in the party colors! I recommend using brand-name sprinkles like Betty Crocker or Wilton; they tend to hold shape better and don’t bleed during baking. Now here’s my secret weapon: chill the dough in the fridge for about an hour. It helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents excessive spreading, giving you those thick, dreamy cookies.

Step 4: Scooping and Baking

Use a large 3-tablespoon cookie scoop (or two regular tablespoons) to portion the dough onto your baking sheets lined with parchment or Silpat mats. Space these generously—think six cookies per sheet—since they do spread a little. Bake at 350°F for 9 minutes, rotating the pan halfway. If you bake two trays at once, switch their positions midway for even baking. Remember: don’t overbake even if cookies look a bit soft coming out—they’ll firm up as they cool.

Step 5: Cooling While You Make the Frosting

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes until set enough to move to a wire rack. While they chill, whip up that dreamy cream cheese frosting.

Step 6: Whipping the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a clean bowl, beat 6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter with 4 ounces of softened original brick-style cream cheese until light and fluffy—this usually takes 3 to 4 minutes. Then add 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Beat again starting slow and ramping up until smooth. If you want, add a few drops of food coloring until you get a shade you love. I usually go classic with no color, but a pale pink is adorable too!

Step 7: Frosting and Decorating

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag with a round tip or just use a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off. Starting from the center of each cookie, swirl outward creating a beautiful spiral. Top with an extra sprinkle of confetti or rainbow jimmies for that wow factor. If piping isn’t your jam, no worries—spread the frosting with a knife for a more casual look.

How to Serve Confetti Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and classic—just a sprinkle of rainbow jimmies on top adds that iconic confetti vibe and a bit of texture. Sometimes I’ll crush a few pastel-colored sprinkles for a softer look or even add edible glitter when I want to jazz things up for birthdays. But honestly, just those colorful little bursts are perfect every time.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair amazingly well with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot coffee or tea. For a party, I like serving them alongside fruit platters or a creamy dip like chocolate hummus. They also balance out well with a light salad or cucumber mint water for a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve found that stacking these with cupcake liners between layers looks adorable for gifting. For birthdays, placing them on a bright cake stand surrounded by balloons instantly turns them into a showstopper. You can also pipe the frosting in fun shapes or colors to match any party theme—sometimes I add little edible flowers for a classy touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you prefer them chilled, they last up to 5 days in the fridge. Just remember to store them flat in a single layer so the frosting doesn’t smear. I learned this the hard way after accidentally stacking them and ending up with a frosting mess!

Freezing

While I don’t recommend freezing frosted cookies because the texture of the frosting can change, you can freeze baked but unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy some later, just thaw them at room temperature and then frost fresh. This little trick saves time and keeps the frosting tasting fresh.

Reheating

If you like your cookies a bit warm, pop unfrosted or leftover cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For frosted ones, I prefer just letting them come to room temperature to avoid melting the frosting. A gentle warm-up in the oven (about 200°F for a few minutes) works too but watch closely so the frosting doesn’t get too soft.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Confetti Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s so simple to make yet yields bakery-quality results right at home. I love how the sprinkles bring a playful burst of color and how the frosting is creamy and satisfying without being too heavy. Honestly, it’s a recipe that always puts a smile on faces—and I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy it as much as I do. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to comfort cookie for any occasion!

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