I love cookies made from cake batter mixes! They are easy and always super delicious. And these ones would be PERFECT for the 4th of July!
Firecracker Cookies
Cake batter cookies taste like a cross between wedding cake and sugar cookies.
If these cookies look familiar it's because I have done a funfetti version of them before. The only thing I did this time was switch up the cake batter and change up the sprinkles.
I actually made these for my sister-in-law. She is in the OT program at KU Med. They had the incoming classmates come in for orientation and had cookies for them. In case you hadn't figured it out, Kansas' colors are blue and red.
What else is red and blue? Fourth of July cookies!
I called these firecracker cookies because I kind of think that's what they look like, the burst of a firecracker in the sky!
Firecracker Cookies
adapted from my funfetti cake batter cookies
makes 30-32 cookies
1 box french vanilla cake mix, 18.25 oz*
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 C vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C red sprinkles
1/2 C blue sprinkles
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and baking powder. In a small bowl, mix together the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the egg mixture to the cake mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the sprinkles. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet or silpat.
These cookies spread out a lot when they bake so don't try to use a cookie cutter for just the dough. You can, however, use cookie cutters after they have baked and cooled. For example, these would be super cute for the 4th if you cut out little stars with a cookie cutter.
These would be really fun to make with kids and also a great cookie to take to 4th of July parties!!
I love everything about these cookies! I'm kinda partial to anything Red, White and Blue (since I'm a 4th of July baby) ... Can't wait to try them :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a FUN birthday! No matter what, there is ALWAYS something going on!! :)
Deletehaber
DeleteHow fun are these?!?! I love cake mix cookies, they are some of the best!
ReplyDeletelooks like another great cookie recipe! thanks, stephanie!
ReplyDeleteThese look so fun!! Going to have to do these for Memorial Day or the 4th.
ReplyDeleteOh, they would be fun for Memorial Day too! Good idea!
DeleteThose cookies are wonderful! Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteThese are so fun and festive!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steph!! :)
DeleteThese look awesome! I can't wait to make them :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! I hope you give them a try!
DeleteI saw these and thought they were so pretty, and then realized they were made with cake mix. Even better!
ReplyDeleteThese cookies look so yummy!!
ReplyDeleteYum yum yum! Not only do these cookies look beautifully festive, but they look so soft and delicious too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, lady!! They are so good!!
DeleteWhere do you get all of your different colored sprinkles in individual containers?
ReplyDeleteHey there! You might have to go to a specialty baking store to find them. The one I went to is local in Kansas City and it's not a chain. However, I have seen them before at Micheal's Crafts store and sometimes you get lucky at Williams Sanoma. Sometimes even places like Bed Bath and Beyond have special containers with assorted colors. I just try to keep my eyes peeled as I'm be-boppin around town so that when I do need something like that, I know where to go. :)
DeleteI hope this helps!!
Micheal's had some, but of course not the colors I was looking for. I'm making yellow and blue FFA cookies for their state convention! I ended up going to the bakery at the grocery store and asking if I could buy some of their sprinkles. They sell them by the pound and since I only wanted enough to make the recipe (for now...) they gave me the sprinkles for FREE! Totally unexpected! Thank you so much for the idea! I'm excited to make these this morning!
DeleteThat is so awesome!!
DeleteJust made these. YUM! I also tried almond instead of vanilla, delicious!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great!!!
DeleteJust made these, and they were fantastic! I also used a Chocolate Fudge cake mix and they were equally as good!
ReplyDeleteOooo that sounds fantastic!!
DeleteThe cookies taste great but they were crumbly. The recipe probably could use a little more liquid.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that, Joan. Every time I have made them they turn out nice and chewy.
DeleteMine were VERY drive and crumbly, too, Joan.
DeleteSecond batch worked out great. Thanks for the recipe!
DeleteI really want to give these a try for the 4th of July...but I made need a test run soon, just to make sure :)
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great idea ;)
DeleteWe have been making the funfetti ones as birthday gifts! They are so simple & sensational! Love the taste, look & ease. THANKS!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! What a fun idea!!
DeleteThese look amazing!
ReplyDeletejust made these cookies and they are AWESOME. thanks so much for the recipe
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! So glad you liked them!! ;)
DeleteYummy and festive--can't beat that! I hope you'll add this one to my Patriotic Project Parade.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/06/patriotic-project-parade-linky-party.html
Can you make ahead and freeze? I would love to try these for the 4th, but will not have time to do these the day of.
ReplyDeleteSorry Cindy, I've never tried to freeze the dough or the cookies. I'm not sure how they would turn out.
DeleteCindy- I have had a hard time freezing cookies made from cake mixes, they get super soft/messy (kind of fall apart) when thawed. I haven't tried to freeze this recipe but I have frozen other cake mix cookie recipes.
DeleteSyd
I just found these on Pinterest and thought they would be great for my boys' birthday party next week. They requested a Jayhawk themed party and as soon as I saw these I knew they would be perfect. I love that you made them originally to fit a Jayhawk theme too! I will definitely be posting a link to this on my blog with the party pics! Thanks for the great idea!!
ReplyDelete-Steph
www.onemilesquared.blogspot.com
Awesome! Please let me know when you post it; Id love to check it out! I love KU and Im actually the manager of a store that sells lots of KU goodies ;) So fun!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHere is the link to my post: http://onemilesquared.blogspot.com/2012/07/rock-chalk-birthday.html
DeleteI ended up using colored sugar sprinkles instead of the ones you used in your recipe. They were very tasty!
I was very inspired by these! Thanks so much for sharing. Your photos are gorgeous, too! I wanted to let you know that you were featured on my Best 4th of July ideas post at:http://printabelle.com/?p=5299
ReplyDeleteIf you would like a featured button, I have them here: http://printabelle.com/?page_id=724 Thanks!
Thank you so much! I checked it out; what a fun post!! ;)
DeleteThank you so much! I checked it out; what a fun post!! ;)
DeleteThese are so delicious! I can say that I used a smaller cake mix (15.25 oz) by accident, and they still turned out just fine! I plan on adding these to my collection of favorite recipes to make time and time again! Thanks for the recipe! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know! ;) Im so glad you loved them....cause I do too!
DeleteI made these last week, and they were delicious! However, my husband informed me that he doesn't really like sprinkles! So I made them again today but used semi-sweet chocolate chips instead, and they were even better (in my opinion)! Thanks so much for the recipe; I had never made "cake mix cookies" before, and it was so easy!
ReplyDeleteI just started crying.....HE DOESN'T LIKE SPRINKLES? WHHHHHHHHHHAT?
DeleteJust kidding, I think it's more of a girly and little kid thing. I'll forgive him! :)
I bet the bit of chocolate was fantastic!! Did they get really melty or did they hold their shape a little?
just now made these. Soooo goood!!!!
ReplyDeleteYea! Glad you liked 'em! Happy 4th!!
DeleteThese are in the oven right now for a 4th of July party we are attending later. I bought enough to make two batches but only made one at first to see how they do. They are perfect! I used a 1/2 tbsp to drop them onto the cookie sheets and ended up with 56 cookies so I don't even need to make more. So excited to try them!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I couldn't find the solid sprinkles but my grocery store had some red, white, and blue ones so I bought two containers for each batch. :)
Awesome!! I hope everyone liked 'em. These are fun with other colors too. Happy 4th!!
DeleteJust made these-yummy!
ReplyDeleteYea!! Happy 4th!
DeleteJust discovered your blog via Pinterest! My kiddos and I made these cookies tonight...so.much.fun!
ReplyDeleteBTW...I'm a Kansas Citian too! These would be fun to make next week with only blue jimmies to celebrate the All Star Game and the KC Royals! Ooooh, and red and yellow during football season! I'm hooked!
FUN!!! I'm getting geared up for All-Stars week too. I'm a manager at a Kansas Sampler/Rally House and we keep getting all these CUTE All-Stars clothes....love it! I LOVE the chiefs idea, those would be really cute!! I'll have to remember that!!
DeleteExcited to make these for the 4th of July! Off to buy the ingredients! :)
ReplyDeleteFun!! I hope you love them as much as I do! Happy 4th!!
DeleteIs it okay to just use sugar cookie mix, instead of cake mix?
ReplyDeleteJohanna, of course! They will not have the cake flavor; they will just taste like sugar cookies, which is fine!! Just follow the package directions and then add the sprinkles right before you bake them.
DeleteI just got really excited that you're from KC! Where was the store that you got the sprinkles from?
ReplyDeleteThe Sweet Supply Shoppe, in Overland Park. They have tons of baking goodies, and LOTS of sprinkle colors! :)
DeleteHappy 4th!
My sweet daughters and I made this today! What an easy and delicious 4th of July treat!
ReplyDeleteYEA!! Glad they liked them. You guys have a wonderful 4th of July!!
DeleteThese cookies are delicious and fun, but what's with the excessive amount of oil? The dough was SO oily it was almost gross. I am about to make them again because they were yummy, but I'm tempted to try with less oil. Is there a reason for the amount?
ReplyDeleteNoelle, did you use a large cake mix (18.25 oz) or a regular one? That may have had something to do with it. My cookies did not turn out oily at all.
DeleteI made these today to share with my family tomorrow! Thanks for sharing your recipe and idea!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, I hope they like 'em! Happy 4th, Rebecca!!
DeleteJust finished making these for tomorrow! Turned out great! I did have to use a slightly smaller box of cake mix (15.5oz) because that was all my store carried and I didn't have any problems. Thank you for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteFun! Good, I'm glad they still turned out good, thanks for the feedback!! Have a wonderful 4th!
DeleteMy son and I are baking these right now for the 4th of July! He loves the sprinkles and the cookies look delicious. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFUN! These are a great recipe to do with kids; not too many steps. Hope you all have a great 4th!
DeleteHi Steph,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to drop you a quick line to let you know I featured your awesomely delicious cookies on my lifestyle blog, Things That Make Us. Link's below, and happy fourth!
http://www.thingsthatmakeus.com/fourth-july-roundup-need-celebrate-america-way-deserves/
Liz
Awesome, what a funny post!! Thanks for letting me know :) I like your blog!!!
DeleteHappy 4th doll!
I bake cookies for a local Ronald McDonald House, and to celebrate the 4th I baked a batch of these: they were a HIT! Thanks for sharing them: they were fun to make, and it was fun to see the reaction of both kids and adults as well. Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteMary, that is so wonderful! Thank you for letting me know! I ran in the Kansas City Color Run last weekend to benefit our local Ronald McDonadl House! ;)
DeleteI'm going to be making these tomorrow for the 4th of July Family Reunion I'm attending! I can't wait! I'll definitely be posting about them later!
ReplyDeleteThey were a fourth of July hit at our party. They lasted about 5 minutes! You can do this with a 15 oz cake mix. Just cut the oil back to 1/3 cup. We are trying strawberry with chocolate sprinkles now. Should be yummy! I think lemon cake mix would be superb!
ReplyDeleteI am going to use them for my sons Avenger party :) great idea thank you!!
ReplyDeleteEven at such an age, I love firecrackers-they don’t bother me at all! Just the same as I love your firecracker cookies...it’s good to know you chose red and blue. Some flags have these combinations such as the Philippine flag and I adore truly adore these two colors. This will surely inspire others who love to bake, even restaurant Fort Lauderdale if they plan to have a themed catering event. I hope you can post more recipes with reds and blues. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful to have found this, the possibilities are endless and I am addicted :)
ReplyDeleteIve made regular vanilla with chocolate chips (my husband isnt a fan of sprinkles either). they were fantastic, but then I made orange supreme with white chips, amazing. but THEN I made spice cake with raisin and it blew my mind. Thanks so much :)
4th of July my favorite holiday to decorate inside and out. And new recipes are always welcomed too.. I have heard cake recipes for cookie are the best so i am excited to find out. Thank you !! :)
ReplyDeleteI was looking for a fast cookie for memorial day. I hope they turn out. I have never done a cake mix cookie.
ReplyDeleteThese are so good! I was craving cookies and decided to bake them last night with my 10 day old newborn. She woke up as soon as I laid my ingredients out but it didn't stop me. Simple to make even with baby in one arm! I dipped each cookie dough ball into sprinkles and mini choc chips, pressed down a bit and added more topping. They were a big hit with my 3 year old, hubby and my mom who is helping with new baby. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteBuena Mama, congrats on your new sweet little babe! What a wonderfully exciting time!! So glad your family loved the cookies and I'm glad I could help out with your cookie craving! Hehe
DeleteBack in the 60's I made cookies with Angel Food Cake Mix and I have been unable to locate it. Does anyone have the recipe?
ReplyDeleteI don't have a recipe for that. Have you tried the angel food cake mix from a box?
DeleteDo you think if I made these on Thursday evening, they'd still taste nice and fresh on Saturday for a party?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how long they would stay fresh. I'd say for 2 days you should be good. They sure don't last very long around here.
DeleteComing to this party late. I like the idea of cutting shapes after baking. Have you done these as brownies? I'm thinking that cutting out shapes might be easier from that context. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have not made these as brownies. They should cut out fairly easily but I understand what you mean. I do have this Funfetti blondie recipe though, and this way the bars will be thicker but since there is no cocoa, you would be able to see the sprinkles easier. Hope that makes since.
DeleteHere's the recipe:
http://cookincowgirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/funfetti-blondie-bites.html
Thank you for denoting the correct size of cake mix! I tried this same recipe several times that I found from another source and could NOT get it right because I kept buying smaller cake mixes unknowingly. You'd think everyone would use the standard 18.25 but I guess not! Thanks again! Love this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feed back, Sarah!! I know some people have tried to add extra flour to the mix. I have only made this recipe with the larger box. Glad you like them! :)
DeleteI tried them with a smaller cake mix (16.25 oz), and they turned out just fine!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Megan!! Did you add any flour or just make the recipe as is? Thanks!
DeleteMade these today with my kids and they are yummy and so fun looking! My grocery only had the 15 oz cake mix and they still turned out great. On an impulse, I grabbed a bag of mini M & M's. I had my 3 and 6 year old sit at the table and sort out all the red and blue ones (many candies were sampled but it kept them busy for 30 minutes - score!!) The added chocolate pushed these over the top for my chocaholic family. I'll be featuring your page on my website for acts of kindness at kindea.org -- we plan to make these again on Veterans Day for all the veteran families on our street. Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really cute idea too!! :) I will try that next time!! ;)
DeleteGreat idea! I love that you got the kiddos involved :) I'll have to check out your site! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteGetting ready to make these now! I love anything and everything, baking! So excited I found this recipe! I drove all over Tulsa today trying to find red and blue sprinkles! Finally found some red, white, and blue! Score! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found some! I hope you liked them.
DeleteI am getting these ready right now for later today and I am very excited! I was a little concerned since all I have are 15oz boxes of cake mix but I it seems like they should turn out fine :) So excited!! Happy Fourth everyone and thanks for the wonderful idea!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope they turned out for you. Several people have tried it with the smaller box and just added a bit of flour to off set it. I haven't tried this yet. Hope you had a good 4th!
DeleteHi there. I have a couple of questions. I made these cookies, they were very sticky, and baked flat and the sprinkles were embedded in the cookies so you couldn't see them like your picture. I baked them for 9 minutes , help what went wrong? Thanks, Joelle
ReplyDeleteHmmm, well the dough is very sticky when I make them also. What size of cake mix box did you use? If it was too small that probably has something to do with it. These do spread out quite a bit when they bake and they are a much flatter cookie than tall. I'm really not sure why the sprinkles turned out that way though.
DeleteGoing to make these for a boy scout event this week... Excited to try them. Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI made these tonight for tomorrow's event... How in the world are they going to make it there???
DeleteI had to try one... okay two... and so did my husband. Good thing the teenager is at a friend's house tonight. These are DELICIOUS!!!!
My dough wasn't really sticky. The cookies spread beautifully. I made them about half dollar size and got about 60 cookies!
The only change that I made was to use red and blue sugar instead of the sprinkles because I couldn't find them. I was lectured by the store employee that I should have purchased them at the beginning of July...
ANYWAY.. I just sprinkled in the sugar until it "looked" nice...
They are great. Thanks again!!
I couldn't wait to make these adorable cookies. I looked at the cake box size when I got home from the store and it was 15.25 oz. Bummer. So I just mixed the wet ingredients, and then removed 1/4 cup and set aside. Then I added the cake mix. This was a little dry, so I added a Tbs. of the remaining wet ingredients. That looked about right. I used only purple sprinkles. They baked up nicely and are tasty too! I 'm def. going to try other recipes from you! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI used a Duncan Hines Classic White cake mix and they baked nicely but were too sweet. Atleast too sweet for me but everyone else in the house loved them!! Just FYI for everyone is you use the Classic White.